Craig Robinson is in great company in the new apocalyptic comedy This Is The End as part of an A-list cast of Hollywood cool kids. The former The Office actor – and his co-stars Seth Rogan, James Franco, Jonah Hill, Danny McBride and Jay Baruchel (plus tons more major names) get to play themselves in this hilariously funny flick, albeit caricatured versions.
After getting ‘turnt up’ at James Franco’s house party, Craig and the boys soon find themselves trapped inside the mansion for good, while outside the end of the world is in full effect – sinkholes that lead to the pits of hell, anarchy, devils and demons are just some of what lies await. Sharon Carpenter recently caught up with Robinson to get the full scoop on this sidesplitting scary movie, his potentially extremely awkward scene with Rihanna and the cameo appearance by Channing Tatum’s butt.
This is the End is absolutely hilarious but at the same time the movie was surprisingly scary. In one scene you make the point that actors are “soft” compared to how they’re portrayed on-screen. If that’s so, were you ever frightened while shooting any of these crazy apocalyptic demon/Satan scenes? How about when you were forced to leave the house alone?
There were some moments. The first time I saw one of the demons, and there were different demons when we were shooting to the ones we ended up with, so it was between the way the set was lit and being out in the grass by myself and then seeing this demon, there was a moment of like, “Woah, I’m glad this shit is not real.” [The filmmakers, Seth Rogan and Evan Goldberg] are great at mixing genres.
You got to work with an incredible group of cool and funny young actors – Jonah, Danny, Seth, Jay, James. You guys are best friends in the movie. How close are you in real life?
We all throw parties from time to time and I love those guys. Usually everybody’s working or whatever but sometimes when we’re downtown we hang out. We’re pretty tight. I’ve been to Seth, Evan and Danny’s weddings. Me and Danny met Seth and Evan the very same day – it was the day I shot Knocked Up.
You get to play yourself in This Is The End – an exaggerated version of yourself. How much of this was the real Craig and how much was enhanced?
When you see me [sing] “Take Yo Panties Off” and stuff like that, that’s me doing what I do in real life. But when you see me do something like letting Aziz [Ansari] die, I wouldn’t do that. I would have reached out for him in that sinkhole in reality. It’s a little bit here and a little bit there.
Talking of celeb deaths, there were a slew of them in the movie. Who do you think had the coolest death scene?
Michael Cera. Michael Cera has the coolest role in the movie I think. He was just hysterical. And for him to get impaled and then find his cell phone, which he’d lost, was so funny.
You got to serenade the lovely Rihanna in not such a romantic way – you sang her the song you just mentioned “Take Yo Panties Off.” I can imagine that may have been a slightly awkward moment.
If it was, she deters it because she’s so lovely and so lovely a person. She comes around and gives you a hug right off. You don’t know what to expect but she was just like a family member. So any of that was squashed as soon as she did that.
Did you guys get to talk when the cameras were off?
Just a little bit about Jamaican food and stuff (laughs). Kevin Hart was the one stealing all the Rihanna time.
Really? Is he a good friend of yours too?
Yeah, he’s a good guy.
You play the piano and you sing. Do you take your music seriously outside of acting?
Yeah, I’m doing an album eventually.
R&B?
We’ll see what happens when I get in the studio.
If the Apocalypse were to happen today – which 5 people would you want to be trapped in a house with?
My mommy and daddy, my sister and brother and you’ve got to give me 3 more people because I have to get my nieces and nephews in there. All family and maybe one hot chick I know.
Which of the cast members would you NOT want to be trapped with if the apocalypse was to happen?
I don’t know. They’re like the Avengers – they all have different special qualities. Maybe Jay because if we did throw a party he’s not a good dancer.
What would you do in those moments leading up to the end of the world?
I would eat whatever the heck I wanted. Probably my mom’s fried chicken and mac and cheese. I would probably be praying the whole way through too.
I’d probably pray and party, party and pray.
It looked like this was a really fun movie to shoot in general, but what was your favorite scene?
We had a scene where we were all uncontrollably laughing. Danny goes to steal the water that was rationed and it was so funny. Every time he would call us ‘nerds’ somebody would crack up. The time [to shoot this scene] was running out because we were supposed to go to lunch and it was so silly – we were like wrestling. It was just one of those moments that bonded everybody and we knew we were on the right path.
Channing Tatum makes a cameo appearance in the movie and so does his butt. The ladies want to know if this was his real butt or was it a stunt double?
It’s all Channing! He’s a team player.
Here’s a question on a hot topic outside of the movie. Lately we’ve seen actress Amanda Bynes headed down a path of possible self-destruction. Do you have any encouraging words for her?
Keep your head up, relax and don’t let this game take you down.
Back to This Is the End. Tell everyone why they need to go to see this movie when it hits theaters on June 12th.
Because all your friends are definitely going to see it and you do not want to be left out!!
This is the End is in theaters Wednesday, June 12
