EXCLUSIVE | 'Bill & Ted Face the Music' producer Scott Kroopf says team was obligated to fans 'to get it right'
'Bill & Ted Face the Music' has a healthy 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The audience rating wasn't far behind with 78%. Reading these numbers would mean satisfaction for the producers of the latest installment if a cult-classic franchise. For Scott Kroopf, the producer part of all three films now, this will most definitely come in as an absolute success. In this age with countless content, ‘Bill & Ted’ continued to garner fans. And while the flick continues its successful run, MEA WorldWide (MEAWW) caught up with Kroopf for an exclusive where he talks challenges, the evolution of Bill & Ted and his upcoming projects.
What were your thoughts when the third installment of 'Bill & Ted' was greenlit?
I was absolutely thrilled. We had been working on it so long and it was tough to get made, but we persevered and our patience and determination were rewarded. It was a truly sweet moment.
How much of a challenge is it to when it comes to facing the pressure of producing a film whose predecessors are blockbuster successes?
We all felt an obligation to our fans to get it right. All of the films in the series have their own special Jen’ sais quoi and style. It was very important to use that they are not repetitive so the writers and the creative team took a lot of care to make 'Bill & Ted Face The Music' unique. The time gaps, which seemed difficult at first, proved to be helpful in this regard. The idea of Bill & Ted as grownups is intrinsically fun and absurd. We also loved the idea of seeing what they were like as family men. But the real comic engine that cracks us up was seeing Bill & Ted encounter future versions of themselves. Also, the counterpoint of Billie & Thea’s adventure added another dimension of comedy and energy. Seeing how Bill & Ted’s daughters turned out is great fun.
How different is Face the Music from Excellent Adventures and Bogus journeys?
It is quite different because of the time passage, but it still has its roots in Bill & Ted’s friendship and amazing ability to experience the most outrageous setbacks (with about 45 seconds of heartfelt despair) then reset and get on with their mission. The family story is new and it provides both comedy and emotional depth. The absurdity of having 77 minutes to write a song that saves “reality as we know it” provides much bigger (and totally absurd) stakes than the previous films.
Is it fair to say that Bill and Ted have evolved over the last two films, but have managed to keep their innocence and love for music intact?
Alex and Keanu’s performances as Bill & Ted have definitely evolved but are built on the same foundation of innocence and exuberance. The story starts with Bill & Ted’s destiny weighing heavily on the characters and is in part about them recapturing their joie d’vivre and excitement. The moment they stepped on set you could see their chemistry ignite. As performers, they are so in sync that you want to be in two most of the time to see all of the nuances of their interaction. And when they are playing against future versions of themselves, Alex and Keanu let their imaginations run wild, which makes those scenes very special.
What can the audience expect from Face the Music?
Bill & Ted Face the Music is a wild ride… it is a feel-good film with absurd comedy, genuine emotion, and a rousing ending.
Some of your projects fall under the genre of comedy. Is this a theme and genre you prefer to produce? If so, can you share your thoughts about the preference?
I love comedy but have done a very wide range of genres over the course of my career. Working on another Bill & Ted film is a very happy place for me especially one with such a strong, timely message.
What's next for Scott Kroopf?
I’m currently working on a short film project with Alex Winter that I can’t discuss but it is a very wild and unconventional approach to a familiar cultural event. I’m really enjoying the opportunity to do something that is unexpected and clever with the type of tongue-in-cheek humor that Alex and I enjoy so much. I also am teaching two core production classes at USC School of Cinematic Arts (where I’m a tenured professor), which is incredibly rewarding.
'Bill & Ted Face the Music is available on VoD.