Kevin Hart (left) and Ed Helms—PHOTO BY RUBEN V. NEPALES
LOS ANGELES—Boxers or briefs? Or, as Kevin Hart, claimed, nothing? Kevin and Ed Helms lead the voice cast of the animated comedy, “Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie,” so that was a good excuse to talk underwear.
In David Soren’s adaptation of “Captain Underpants,” the children’s novel series by
Dav Pilkey, two fourth grade pranksters, George (Kevin) and Harold (Thomas Middleditch), hypnotize their principal, Mr. Krupp (Ed) into thinking he’s a superhero named Captain Underpants (also voiced by Ed).
Kevin is being dubbed as the new king of comedy with his series of hit movies, boosted by his stand-up shows that fill football stadiums. From the hit “The Hangover” franchise (he played Stu) and “The Office” TV series (he was Andy Bernard), Ed has quickly risen, starring in movies—and, now, he’s a producer, as well.
Paired together in the interview, Kevin, the boisterous one, and Ed, more the deadpan type, were the perfect foil for each other.
Excerpts from our chat at the Montage Beverly Hills Hotel:
How familiar were you with the book, “Captain Underpants?”
Ed (E): I wasn’t very familiar with the book because I’m just a little old. Just a little. But I know Kevin still reads children’s books.
Kevin (K): Every day. That’s how I start my day.
E: But I was immediately charmed by the material. It’s funny because the poopy pants, underpants and all that are like a Trojan horse. It brings you in. It’s actually rich storytelling and super funny, creative children’s literature. It’s great stuff.
I’m not just saying that because Dav Pilkey (who was in the room) can hear me (laughs).
How strongly did you relate to the characters?
E: As for Principal Krupp, not at all. But Captain Underpants, 100 percent. That was just me. I wasn’t even acting.
K: That was some of your best stuff.
E: I don’t wear underpants, so I really connected to the character.
K: I wasn’t well-versed on the book before the movie, but after the idea of doing the film came up, I did my research. I found out how successful the book was. I was blown away by it. [After] familiarizing myself with the material, then jumping into it, I started to see the similarities between me and the character. Even though it’s animation, it’s grounded in reality to a certain degree.
This movie finally gives us an excuse to ask about underwear.
K: I’m a let-it-hang type of guy (laughs). I don’t use support.
E: (Imagines the text of my piece.) “As soon as Kevin sat down, he took his pants off. There’s nothing going on down there.” (Laughs)
K: Nothing. You don’t even realize I’m naked underneath here.
E: Totally naked. Let’s see, what am I comfortable disclosing here? (Laughs) I wear underwear because I feel like it’s basic adult sanitary practice. I like underwear in a variety of colors.
K: You’re a color guy?
E: Yeah. And I’m partial to boxer briefs. So, print that and blow the world away.
K: This isn’t a plug. I don’t want you to think I’d ever take the opportunity to do a shameless plug, because that’s not who I am. But I actually do have…
E: …A line of Nike underwear (laughs).
K: I do have my own line of boxer briefs, if you ever wanted to partake in my product.
E: Where’s my free underwear?
K: I’ll get you a box, dude. And now that I know you like colors, I’ve got to get you an assortment.
Kevin, you aren’t into underwear in colors?
K: No. I’m a black underwear type of guy. You might get a couple of incidents at an older age, so you go black. I’m married. Once your wife sees an incident, it’s all downhill from there. I don’t need that happening anymore (laughs).
What can you recall about your fourth grade? Were you quiet or mischievous?
K: I was very much a prankster. I stayed in trouble in school, but not in a malicious way. I wasn’t a bad kid who was fighting. I just didn’t know how to cut it off.
When you’re fun, fun, fun all the time, of course, that’s annoying to a teacher. My mother got frustrated with that, too, but it turned out well. Who knew that all that time I was honing comedic skills at a young age?
E: I wish I had some great stories about being a class clown, but I was a nerdy rule follower.
K: No, no way.
E: I was nerdy. I was scared to break rules as a kid—I don’t know why. That’s where I am similar to Principal Krupp. Maybe I was more like Melvin (voiced by Jordan Peele). So, being in comedy as an adult, I’m compensating for how mature I was as a child.
Can you talk about your childhood friends? Do you stay in touch?
K: Yes, I have childhood friends. We don’t talk as much, of course, because I’m no longer in Philadelphia. But my childhood friend was a guy named Kahlil Shands. I was very close to him, and I still am.
When I go back to Philadelphia, he comes to my show and hangs out. He was my right-hand man. If I got in trouble, Kahlil was with me and vice versa. It’s always good to go down with somebody. You don’t want to be by yourself. So you can talk about it the next day (laughs).
E: My buddy’s name is Nick Chew. Our moms were friends before we were born, so we were basically put together as buddies. We lived close to each other. We rode bikes around the neighborhood together. I had my first beer with Nick. My first cigarette was with him. We were 4 years old (laughs).
All the way up through junior high, he was getting me in trouble. I love him dearly. He’s a wonderful presence in my life.
Did you face bullies in school?
E: I remember getting in a fight with a bully once. I literally had to tape the temple of my glasses on, like a nerd in a movie. I had tape on the side of my glasses. And I was scarred for life. Which is why I became a comedian—so I can make fun of bullies.
K: Nobody wants to fight the funny guy. Everybody wants to be around him. I was more of a peacemaker. If there was a problem, I was the guy who would defuse the situation.
So I didn’t really get into fights. Now that’s probably tough for you to believe because of my massive arms (laughs). But I kept these guns under control. I understand that I’m a walking weapon, and I never wanted to unleash them (laughs).
E-mail rvnepales_5585@yahoo.com. Follow him at https://twitter.com/nepalesruben.