Over the weekend Disney’s latest live action film, PETE’S DRAGON, finally opened! I was lucky enough to attend the premiere and screen the film last week. As you can tell from my review, I thoroughly enjoyed this family film, and could not wait to take my son to see it. I did just that yesterday, and my son really soaked in the magic and excitement of Elliot the dragon! I think what also makes the film relatable to kids, is that it features kids! Oakes Fegley and Oona Laurence star as Pete and Natalie, an adventurous boy and the girl he befriends.
Photo credit: Jana Seitzer / MerlotMommy.com
As the two walked into the room, we couldn’t help but give them a round of applause! These kids, mature beyond their years (in a good way!) did an amazing job in the film. One of the most memorable scenes for my son was when Pete jumps off a cliff, onto Elliot’s back, as they fly off into the sky. I loved watching my son, eye wide open, mesmerized with wonder of what it would be like to ride on a dragon. I imagine that a scene like this would be a thrill for any adventurous little boy! Oakes noted that he did the scene about 10 times. Was he scared? Nah! The kids worked with stuntmen, who helped them to feel safe (and have lots of fun!) on set.
Speaking of scenes… what were Oakes’ and Oona’s favorite scenes? They both agreed the scene where Pete is saying goodbye to Elliot. Talk about heavy on the heart! Luckily Oakes also really enjoyed the light-hearted scene when Elliot crashes while flying and lands face to face to a cow! The audience definitely chuckled when that happened on the big screen in the theater.
Now let’s get to the questions the readers really want to know… like What is the dragon snot made of?
Oakes: It was like water and all sorts of STUFF. Do you know those air guns where you pull it back, and then it’s kinda like a big circle? And you pull the tab back, and once you release it, it shoves air through? It was the same sort of thing. They blasted you with it!
Photo credit: Jana Seitzer / MerlotMommy.com
So how was it on set when they obviously didn’t have an actual dragon to interact with? Oona said it was tough at first. Very often the “dragon” was just a pole with a tennis ball on the end! Oakes chimed in that sometimes it was even just a piece of tape on the wall. But over time, the kids got use to it and it became less of a challenge.
To Oona, coming off of a comedy like Bad Moms and now going into something dramatic like PETE’S DRAGON, do you have a preference over comedy or drama?
Oona: I like doing both. They’re both very different. You get different things out of them. But I enjoyed making both of them. I just want to keep on doing whatever comes my way.
Did you see the original PETE’S DRAGON to prepare for this film?
Oakes: Well, because they’re completely different, it wasn’t a matter of preparing with the other one. So I didn’t see it before we filmed. I watched it after. I’ve seen it a couple times since then. It’s a completely different movie. So, it wasn’t that. It was a Disney film. I was like “Wow!” I’m incredibly proud of myself. I can’t believe I got the role. It’s just been life-changing.
How’d you get the roles?
Oona: We did the audition, and then another audition. And then I ended up doing a chemistry read with Oakes. It was kind of just, like that! And then when I found out I got it, I was like “Oh my god! I’m going to New Zealand. Whoa!”
Oakes: I went through three auditions, and then I had the chemistry read after that.
Any reaction when you got the news?
Oakes: I was actually at school. My parents were on the couch. So I just walked back from my bus stop, and then they told me I got the part! I was really happy.
So what is next?
Oakes: I just finished filming a movie directed by Todd Hanes. Julianne Moore is in it. I got to do another starring role in that, and again, it was just really life changing.
Oona: Nothing for me right now since I’m going to high school. So I think that is enough to keep me busy!
What was your favorite part about New Zealand?
Photo credit: Jana Seitzer / MerlotMommy.com
What’s it like working with Robert Redford?
Oakes: Robert is a legend. He is really, really cool. He’s funny, really nice, and he’s a lot like a father to everybody.
We’re all moms. What message do you want our kids to take away from watching this movie?
Oakes: Just for them to know that family is very, very important. And that you can’t give up on family because they are there for you whenever.
Oona: I would say the same thing.
With Oakes and Oona, they just like to reiterate that they are just “regular kids” outside of acting. You can find Oakes playing football or video games with his friends. As for Oona? She is usually just going to school and hanging out with her friends as well.
So did you grow your hair long for the film?
Photo credit: Jana Seitzer / MerlotMommy.com
What were your thoughts when you saw the finished product and you watched the movie in its entirety?
Oona: Yeah, it was really, really cool. I think seeing the dragon, too… They would give us like rough drafts of the dragon. But we have never seen it in full. And I think when we both saw it, we were both like “oh my god, this is amazing!” Like, how did they put this together? It looks so real.
Oakes: Mm-hmm. Same. Watching the trailers and seeing the dragon for really the first time. I mean, it was incredible. After imagining the dragon for so long… it was just incredible.
You guys know, um, recalling extra special moment on set?
Oakes: I had a lot of extra special moments. My driver Shane… We were always doing stuff outside of filming, and he was just so nice. I really miss him.
Oona: Yeah, doing the stunts were really, really fun, too. I don’t know if that counts as a special moment, but I count it as a special week, because it was really, really cool to do those.
Photo credit: Jana Seitzer / MerlotMommy.com
What was the most challenging scene that you had to do?
Oakes: The most challenging scene is probably the scene where I have to leave Elliot, because I was crying about green screen leaving me. I had to imagine that the tennis ball was going bye bye. So it was kind of hard. After I had filmed the set a couple of times, I was just laughing. Like, I couldn’t stop laughing!
Oona: I guess the toughest was when our parents, or my dad basically fell off the bridge. And I was never gonna see him again. And I think that was pretty tough to imagine that. When really I wasn’t actually looking off a cliff. I was looking at a green screen on the ground.
If you could take any book to star in the next movie, which would it be?
Oakes: Maybe Rick Riordan’s The Heroes of Olympus series.
Oona: Frozen 3
Photo credit: Jana Seitzer / MerlotMommy.com
What are your favorite Disney movies?
Oakes: Besides Pete’s Dragon? I really like The Jungle Book. But I think my favorite… You go first. (To Oona)
Oona: I guess The Lion King would be my favorite, just because it makes me cry every single time.
Oakes: Yeah, maybe The Lion King. But also I like the old Jungle Book a lot.
Pete’s Dragon Trailer
Be sure to connect with the PETE’S DRAGON on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr. Don’t forget to check out our Elliott the Dragon Craft, plus coloring sheets and educational activity pack. Last week I posted an interview with Bryce Dallas Howard too!
PETE’S DRAGON is in theaters NOW!
Want to learn more on my most recent adventure in LA? We can connect on head on over to Twitter (@AshBG) and on Instagram (@ashb4211). As you browse my social media feed, simply look for the hashtags #PetesDragonEvent, #JungleBookBluray, #QueenOfKatwe, and #Moana.
While I’attended an expense paid trip by Disney to Los Angeles, all opinions are 100% my own. PETE’S DRAGON film images provided by Walt Disney Publications.
Jacqui Odell says
They sound like fun little kids! My son really wants to see this movie.
valmg @ Mom Knows It All says
I have heard New Zealand is beautiful. What a wonderful opportunity for them. I remember the animated version and am curious how this one turned out.
Alicia Taylor says
What a great opportunity! The children are surprisingly insightful and seem well spoken! I’m dying to see this movie. My hubby and I are thinking about going this week – date night!