Nickelodeon’s superhero family is back in The Thundermans Return, the all-new feature-length movie based on the hit live-action superhero comedy series, The Thundermans. The movie features the return of show favorites, including familiar locations, and new menacing supervillains.
The Beat had the chance to chat with actors Kira Kosarin (Phoebe Thunderman) and Jack Griffo (Max Thunderman) about returning to the franchise and teasing what’s to come. Check it out.
Taimur Dar: I know from past interviews you’ve said you knew each other before working on The Thundermans so that onscreen chemistry came naturally. Obviously so many of us have been busy the last few years and likely have fallen out of touch, but between the end of the show and this movie, have you both kept in touch and remained friends?
Kira Kosarin: We knew each other before the show and worked together for that whole run. We had so many incredible experiences together. We got to travel the world and play these twins. But when the show ended, we both needed to build our own lives and put some time and energy into our other friendships and build our personal lives outside of the show. We didn’t see each other so it was all the more gratifying when we got to come back last year. We had things to catch up on and people to introduce each other to and homes that we had moved into to show each other. It was really nice to be able to go off into our own worlds and come back home.
Jack Griffo: That pretty much how it was. We had a great time filming but after it was done we needed some time apart to do our own thing and grow as people. We’ve both changed a lot as people and I think we have an even better friendship than we ever did.
Dar: Years before his breakout role as Guillermo de la Cruz in What We Do in the Shadows, actor Harvey Guillén appeared in The Thundermans as fan-favorite character Cousin Blobbin. He’s back for a brief appearance in the film. Though you didn’t share any screentime with him on The Thundermans Return, I’d love to hear the experience working with him.
Kosarin: We had to work really hard to make that scene happen. Harvey was filming two other things at that time, and I think also in rehearsals for a play. He had a crazy schedule. So we actually shifted our shoot schedule around and he got his productions to shift their shoot schedules around. We were able to get him literally into hair and makeup and on set straight off a plane, film his scene, and then straight on a plane to leave again. We were super lucky we were able to coordinate it because everyone loves Blobbin. It was super fun to have him back.
Dar: Speaking of guest stars, I didn’t realize the amazing talent who appeared on The Thundermans show. Comedian Paul F. Thompkins reprises his role as the villain King Crab in The Thundermans Return.
Kosarin: Paul F. Thompkins is so great in the show. I’m so happy we were able to get him back. James Hong was an incredible cameo to have in the movie straight off the [Best Picture] Oscar win for Everything Everywhere All at Once. Tom Lennon was on the show which was really cool for me.
Dar: The Thundermans debuted over a decade ago. Obviously, at the time The Avengers film had come out and really changed the game but I don’t think superheroes were nearly as ubiquitous as they are now. How have things changed for you?
Kosarin: There’s definitely a fun affinity around for superheroes. At the end of the day we also really think of The Thundermans as a show about family which is timeless. I think that’s part of why it means so much to a lot of kids. It’s fun to dip our toes into the water of the superhero side of things [and] come home to the comedy which I think is the core of the show.
Griffo: I think everyone loves superheroes and superheroes will never go out of style. Everyone wants that fantasy of having superpowers. It’s so compelling and always has been. Like Kira said, it’s also very grounded in a human space with the family’s dynamic and love for each other. I think the strike between both has compelled audiences around the world. It’s crazy that we get back to come ten years later. Hopefully we’ll get to do more.
Kosarin: For me the biggest difference is when we first started, we had just made Instagram accounts and we were so excited to get verified. Social media is a fulltime job for me now. The way we are promoting The Thundermans and share our behind-the-scenes experience is so wildly different this time. We are able to connect with the fans in a way that’s so direct that we couldn’t do in the early days of The Thundermans.
Dar: Any particular fond moments from the original show?
Kosarin: Phoebe going evil was a fun one for me. I was always a little jealous that Jack got to be the cool villain so it was fun for me to be able to step into his shoes for a minute.
Griffo: It’s really rare and I feel very lucky as a young actor to play a character on Nickelodeon that went a lot of different places and was very multi-dimensional. He struggled with being the black sheep in the family for a couple of years. Every episode felt like it was happening in my own life and we slowly chipped away at that armor Max was holding up and finally succumb to who he was meant to be, which was a superhero.
Dar: I had the pleasure of interviewing Jack at New York Comic Con for the Battle of the Super Sons animated movie. You remarked on the unique parallels between Damian Wayne and Max Thunderman. Did you bring anything from voicing Damian when you returned to play Max?
Griffo: I think naturally everything builds on one another. There were definitely some similarities between Damian and Max. Getting to play these characters is such an honor. There were a lot of similarities as far as having a chip on your shoulder. Damian really had something to prove and he didn’t know his place in Gotham. In the same way, Max had something to prove to the world and his family that he was different. Both characters came to terms with who they were meant to be.
Dar: Finally can you tease fans about what the future holds for The Thundermans after this film?
Kosarin: We’d love to do more but that all is dependent if the people watch and love this movie. So fans, if you want more Thundermans the best thing you can do is watch this movie and be loud about it.
Griffo: We’re down for it!
The Thundermans Return is streaming now on Paramount+ and premieres on Nickelodeon in the U.S. today at 7 p.m. (ET/PT)
