Space Cadet follows Rex, the unlikeliest NASA recruit ever, on her journey to follow her dream. Rex had always wanted to be an astronaut, but her life didn’t take the path needed to reach the stars, in the literal sense. Her best friend, Nadine, helps her readjust her resume to make her an ideal candidate for NASA. Once she makes it into the astronaut training program, Rex will show that while on paper she may not be what they expect, she is exactly what NASA needs.

Space Cadet is a hilariously heartwarming story about second chances and never giving up on your dreams. American Horror Story‘s Emma Roberts finds the perfect balance between comedy, pathos, and ingenuity as Rex making her the ideal underdog hero to root for. Liz W. Garcia both wrote and directed Space Cadet, with Roberts serving as an executive producer. The movie rounds out a phenomenal cast with Gabrielle Union, Poppy Liu (Hacks), and Tom Hopper (The Umbrella Academy).

Screen Rant interviewed Tom Hopper about his new movie Space Cadet. He shared unexpected inspirations, the collaborative style on set, and why the theme of following one’s dreams is so important. Hopper also teased what fans can expect from Luther in season 4 of The Umbrella Academy.

Tom Hopper Liken His Character To Clark Kent

Hopper shared insight into his character, Logan O’Leary, including his more bookish nature. He also explained what draws Logan to Rex and her outside-of-the-box style in Space Cadet.

Tom Hopper: Logan, he is bookish, I liken him to Clark Kent because I feel like this is like his mask really. I think he’s become this version of himself because of the work, the job, and his education. I feel like he had parents that pushed him into this world. And actually the real Logan is a bit closer to Rex, really. I think when he is around Rex, she brings something out of him that he has within himself that is the true him. I think that’s the beauty of it really, of actually he’s more like that than he really realizes.

Logan really does come out of his shell when he’s around Rex. Can you talk about their dynamic and working with Emma Roberts on this film?

Tom Hopper: Working with Emma was great. It allowed their relationship to be quite, it kind of came off the page really because we as actors, we were quite loose with it, and it became something more than was on the page. Which Liz always wanted. As a director she was always like, I want you guys to bring more to it, bring yourselves to it. That allowed us to really play, and it is so nice to be in a scene with a scene partner when you are both in sync like that, because it doesn’t always happen. So that was really nice.

Every Day On The Space Cadet Set “Was Just So Much Fun”

Hopper reflected on working with Garcia and her directing style. He praised her collaboration and how open she was to the actors trying things and adding elements to the characters. Garcia is the perfect balance of guiding the actors while being hands-off enough for them to find their own way as well.

Tom Hopper: Well, I think she had the director style, which was perfect of this kind of movie. She guides you in the way that she wants you to go, but then she also then has this kind of hands off, let you fly kind of attitude. Which is perfect because if you micromanage these kind of performances and this kind of movie, it is never really going to be what you want it to be.

You kind of need to let actors work in sync with you and know where you want it to go, and then let them be free. She’s perfect with that. She’s such a great collaborator, and I knew from the first meeting I had with her about the project that this is what it was going to be from her, and I was delighted about the whole process. I had such a fun time. Every day on set, was just so much fun with her.

I love the dynamic with you and Gabrielle Union’s character, Pam Proctor. Can you talk about working with her and the dynamic of Pam and Logan?

Tom Hopper: It’s great because it is that kind of boss apprentice. Is she his boss, is she not? She is ultimately, but they have this interest in dynamic and slightly flirtatious. But again, it was a very similar thing with Emma was that she was so keen to throw stuff out there as I was so between the two of us, I mean, God knows what actually made it in to the cut versus what we did. It was so many different versions of it with things we just goofed around and Liz encouraged all of that, so it was perfect.

This film really shines a light on not giving up on your dreams, empowerment, and second chances. How did you connect with these themes in Space Cadet?

Tom Hopper: Well, I’m a big believer of following your dreams no matter what. That’s I live by, it’s what I tell my kids. It’s what I tell my wife. It’s so important that we follow our dreams because you only get one run at this. I couldn’t imagine living a life where I wasn’t trying to follow my dreams. I think that is epitomized in this movie. It feels like an unachievable thing, but if you follow your dreams and you put towards your dreams and aspirations, you put a plan in place to be able to achieve it than anything’s achievable.

“[The Umbrella Academy Is] Actually Better Off With Powers Ultimately”

Hopper also teased a bit of what audiences can expect from Luther in the final season of The Umbrella Academy. In the final season, the Hargreeves are adjusting to no longer having their superpowers, with Luther being especially happy to no longer have the physical aspects. However, they’ll make an unexpected realization as they continue to try and fit in the world.

Tom Hopper: He is coping pretty well, actually. But he’s not in his ideal place, let’s put it that way. I think they all miss their powers. They’re all trying to convince themselves that their lives are better without powers, but I think the problem is that the time they had with powers actually screwed them up when they tried to fit in the real world so they’re actually better off with powers ultimately, I think. But one thing that Luther doesn’t miss is his gorilla body, that’s for sure.

About Space Cadet

Rex, a Florida party girl, turns out to be the only hope for the NASA space program after a fluke puts her in training with other candidates who may have better resumés, but don’t have her smarts, heart, and moxie.

Check out our other Space Cadet interviews here:

• Emma Roberts & Poppy Liu
• Liz W. Garcia

Source: Screen Rant Plus