ComingSoon Editor-in-Chief Tyler Treese spoke with Unfrosted star Hugh Grant about the upcoming comedy movie. The actor spoke about wearing the Tony the Tiger suit and being directed by Jerry Seinfeld. Unfrosted is set to release on the streaming platform on Friday, May 3.
“Michigan, 1963. Kellogg’s and Post, sworn cereal rivals, race to create a pastry that will change the face of breakfast,” reads the film‘s synopsis. “A tale of ambition, betrayal, sugar, and menacing milkmen, Unfrosted stars Jerry Seinfeld in his directorial debut.”
Tyler Treese: You play the man behind Tony the Tiger — Thurl Ravenscroft. How was it wearing the actual tiger suit in the film? Because it looks hot.
Hugh Grant: I thought I looked hot in it, actually. I liked wearing it so much that I wore it home in the evenings, and I wear it a lot in London now. Sometimes, when I take my kids to school.
It’s a good look. I just love the very idea of this very self-serious thespian playing a mascot. He wants to play King Lear and, instead, he’s saying, “It’s grrrrreat.” What did you like most about that dichotomy at play?
I like playing angry, disappointed little men — possibly, because I am one.
There’s a hilarious scene later in the film where you’re leading the big mob. You’ve got the Tony the Tiger outfit on with war paint. It’s so funny. How was it going that big speech and getting such a highlight of the film?
Yeah, it’s hard to talk about that scene without sort of giving a spoiler, isn’t it? All I can say is that I’m marvelous in that scene. If I could find another adjective for me, I would, but I can’t.
What stood out about working with Jerry Seinfeld? What was unique about his directing nature since this was his debut?
He’s quite relaxed, really. He is amazingly relaxed. What he cares about is the words. His main focus — he’s sitting there with his co-writer, endlessly adjusting the script. And he said himself — I just did an interview with him earlier today — he says himself, he’s not really interested in the acting and not particularly interested in the directing. The cameras point at the actors, and then you cut it together. That’s his attitude. But what he cares about is, “Are the lines funny?”
You have some great back-and-forth with Melissa McCarthy. How was it going back and forth with her as a scene partner?
That might have been a highlight because I regard her as the queen of improvisation. I’ve always thought I was rather good, but I’m nothing compared to her. We did a lot of that particular scene — back and forth, back and forth, back and forth — we could have cut together a whole film of that. But she’s so good, and she’s generous. I remember one time, I couldn’t think of my next line, and she gave it to me. She’s good.
Thanks to Hugh Grant for taking the time to speak about Unfrosted, which is out May 3 on Netflix.
