LOS ANGELES — The new animated Netflix movie “Leo” is silly, sweet, funny and – somewhat unexpectedly – chock-full of great advice.
Set in a 5th grade classroom, Leo the Lizard (Adam Sandler) and his pal Squirtle the Turtle (Bill Barr) have spent decades watching kids transition from elementary to middle school.
When Leo realizes he’s approaching his “life expectancy” birthday, he becomes obsessed with the idea of escaping to see the world.
But through a series of events, he winds up connecting with and teaching students about things he’s learned during his 75 years.
Adam Sandler stars as Leo and co-wrote the film. Entertainment reporter Kim Holcomb talked to him about the experience.
HOLCOMB: “I watched this with my 15-year-old daughter and she loved it.”
SANDLER: "You tell your daughter that's a massive one, that's a big one. Oh good, good."
HOLCOMB: “I used to have an iguana named Max, so why ‘Leo’ when a perfectly good name like Max is out there?”
SANDLER: “I was screaming at (co-writer) Robert Smigel over and over, ‘If we don't name this lizard Max, I don't want to do the movie.’ But apparently, (it was) his grandfather or something."
HOLCOMB: "Who on the writing team inspired the dad with all the back hair?”
SANDLER: “Ooh - we've all seen it, we've all been around it, some of us have had it. (laughter)"
HOLCOMB: "What do you wish a classroom animal had advised you about, as you were leaving elementary school?”
SANDLER: “Good question. I would have just enjoyed talking to anybody. (laughs) No, no - I had enough friends. But I would have loved to have a calm reptile just be there for me when my brother was off with his friends."
HOLCOMB: "What was the one (kids’ plotline) that resonated with you? What did you feel connected to the most?"
SANDLER: "Each one, kind of in its own way, I understand. I either went through it or saw one of my kids or their friends go through it."
HOLCOMB: "It's not just about being a kid, it's about being of a certain age where you realize, if I'm going to impart anything, now is probably the time.”
SANDLER: “Yes.”
HOLCOMB: “Was that something you guys discussed as you were writing this, and how did that inform what you wanted this character to be?"
SANDLER: "The fact that the thing you learn from the movie is it's just good to listen to your kids, my wife has been telling me that for a long time. Sometimes I react quickly when the kids tell me something - I jump all over it, ‘Do this, do that.’ And then my wife's like, 'I don't think you needed to say all that. I think they just wanted to be able to talk to you.' Anyway, that's what the movie teaches everybody and hopefully I've learned from it.”
HOLCOMB: “Is it a love letter for your kids?”
SANDLER: “Oh, 100%. When they were little, just like ‘Hotel Transylvania,’ I wanted to make movies they could watch and have a good time. And now they're older but - like your 15-year-old - they still have a good time watching it and that means a lot.”
HOLCOMB: “And they're in it (as voice actors)?”
SANDLER: “And they're in it, yep, the two schmoes are in it, yes yes. Always fun to be around them and tell them what to do."
“Leo” is rated PG and begins streaming on Netflix November 21.
Travel and accommodations provided by Netflix.
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