Michael Strong, Arts & Living Editor
Whoever guessed that “Hot Tub Time Machine” would be a critical success before its release, could only have come from the future. No one expected a movie with such an outrageous premise would be as well received as it was. Now we are getting a sequel to the 2010 comedy time-travel romp in the form of “Hot Tub Time Machine 2.” This film sees the original gang, now with the addition of Adam Yates Jr. (Adam Scott), having to make another trip through time in order to save their friend Lou’s life. Stars Craig Robinson, Rob Corddry, Clark Duke and Adam Scott recently sat down to talk with us about what went into making the film.
Q: Craig [Robinson], on the first film we had a few musical stylings by you. Are we going to get to hear you on “Hot Tub Time Machine 2?”
Robinson: Yes, you’re going to get to hear me. As a matter of fact, if you check the trailer, you might see me sing a little Lisa Loeb. We have several things that we paid homage to from the original and that is one of them.
Q: How was the attitude on the set different this time, considering this was your second go with the characters?
Duke: It was no different. It was the exact same which was really comforting and fun and made it an easy work environment. The difference was we were in New Orleans. So there were a few more parties. The first film was shot in Vancouver.
Corddry: It was cold. This was New Orleans in the height of the summer. So, you know, alcohol and heat.
Q: If you could use another household appliance in place of the hot tub as a time machine, what would it be?
Scott: Dishwasher time machine!
Duke: Espresso time machine!
Corddry: Washing machine, a combo of washing and dryer time machine.
Robinson: Refrigerator all day! Because then you can fit in that. You can’t fit into the dishwasher.
Q: This film takes place mostly in the future, but you guys still go everywhere in time. What was more enjoyable to shoot, the future scenes or the past scenes?
Duke: The future scenes were the best because the past scenes were shot in a single day after we had already wrapped [production.]
Corddry: The future scenes are the best ones in the whole movie.
Q: If you had a time machine, which time period would you want to go to?
Scott: I would want to go to the Renaissance because of the clothing and the death penalty was just casually thrown around. I feel like there was a real freedom that was liberating.
Robinson: I would go back and be on “Soul Train.”
Corddry: We live in the moment, man. Ever hear of the word “now?” That’s where we live.
Q: You guys go all over the place and get to wear a lot of crazy stuff. What were your favorite costumes to put on? I know Rob [Corddry] has an interesting one with a lot going on in the crotch area.
Corddry: I feel like the wardrobe department thought they were doing the movie all about my crotch area, so it is featured. You’ll get your money’s worth.
Duke: I had a Ringo Beatle’s wig and I look pretty dope in that. So that would be my favorite.
Robinson: I hated all of the costumes, because being in a period piece costume while in the hot tub was miserable.
Q: Adam [Scott], you play Adam Yates Jr. in this movie, while John Cusack played Adam Yates Sr. in the first movie. Are there any similarities or differences that you incorporated between your character and Cusack’s?
Scott: I think that Adam’s character in the first movie has a sort of thirst for knowledge and I think that Adam Jr. wants to find his father, who he has never met. So I think they have a similar sort of adventure… and somewhat similar eyebrows.
Q: How much freedom was there on the set in regards to improvisation and rifting?
Corddry: For us, the script is sacred. Every word and every revision is to be honored.
Duke: The director, Steve Pink allows us to play around, and he encourages it. Everybody is pitching jokes to each other. So the first film barely had a script. They would come in and say ‘okay we’re doing the scene in the ski lodge’ and then we kind of improvised it. There was a script but we really did a lot of heavy improv. This film was a little more solid.
Q: Is there any hope in the future for a third movie?
Corrdy: I think the real answer is if this makes money, yes. If it doesn’t, then no.
Robinson: If you are asking will we come back together and work together, you’re god damn right!
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