At the height of the 1960s Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union, NASA ran into some major problems in Fly Me To The Moon. NASA has a public image problem and while the scientists working on the moon landing have blinders on, a marketing specialist is brought in to change how the public sees NASA. As they help NASA with branding, a backup plan is put in place with a fake moon landing being filmed just in case the mission runs into any more trouble much to the annoyance of the people who have dedicated their lives to this mission.

A hilariously fictional retelling of the Space Race, Fly Me To The Moon brings to life one of the most infamous conspiracy theories to life in a whole new light. Scarlett Johansson stars in and produces Fly Me To The Moon, delivering a performance full of pathos and comedy. Her chemistry with Channing Tatum, Jim Rash, Woody Harrelson, and Anna Garcia is charming and hilarious. Greg Berlanti brought the project to life as the director from a screenplay penned by Rose Gilroy based on a story by Keenan Flynn and Bill Kirstein.

Screen Rant interviewed Jim Rash and Anna Garcia, two of the stars of Fly Me To The Moon. Garcia discussed working with Johansson, how her character represents the audience, and the dynamic between herself and Johansson. Rash shared insight into his character, bringing elements of himself, and a cautiously optimistic update on the Community movie.

Jim Rash’s Character Is “The Best Director That No One’s Ever Heard Of”

Rash shared insight into his character, Lance, an unknown director brought in to help fake the moon landing. Although Lance is talented, his attitude has caused him to have a much less impressive career than he would like. However, his friendship with Kelly opes a door to the shocking opportunity.

Jim Rash: Lance Vespertine is a director who feels that he deserves Kubrick’s career, but has been overlooked and is mostly doing commercials because he’s hard to work with. I best describe him, he’s a lot. I think that he is used because as Woody asked, Who’s the best director that no one’s ever heard of? I think despite everything, despite everything of how he is, I think that Scarlet’s character Kelly appreciates that they do have a weird friendship.

He is a lot. We all have friends like that where we can only take them for a certain amount. However, he is the one that points out that she has not thought of everything when he first shows up and she concedes along with Ruby by her side. We need to figure all this out. So I think he has a lot of value and she knows that.

Garcia revealed how her character, Ruby, represents the audience in many ways. Ruby hopes and strives for a better future partly because of her passion and youthfulness.

Anna Garcia: I think Ruby has this really wonderful youthfulness that comes through in the movie where she has a lot of hope for the future. She has a lot of strong, passionate feelings for the future, which definitely, I think in one of my first conversations with Greg, he was like, Ruby to me represents the audience and what they’re feeling and the average person of it all.I think, Yeah, she has that strive towards betterment, which I think is refreshing to see in a period piece.

Fly Me To The Moon Stars Call Working With Scarlet Johansson “A Dream”

Rash shared how the character was fleshed out on the page, but he brought an element of himself to Lance as well. He jokingly reflected on if that means he, like Lance, can be a lot. However, Garcia was quick to jump in and explain the positive similarities between Rash and his character.

Jim Rash: Well, I have to say for the first audition with Greg, I mean, there was lots on the page already to launch from. So I’ll take the compliment, but I think a lot of us brought a little bit of ourselves into these characters, which always happens in this process. Which might mean that I’m a lot to deal with. So maybe what I brought to him was the chaos you wanted.

Anna Garcia: Well, I think you’re quick-witted in the way that Lance is. You both are quick.

Jim Rash: But I also liked, My opinion is the only opinion.

Garcia broke down the relationship between her character, Ruby, and Johansson’s character Kelly. She also shared how it felt to be able to work with Johansson on a movie that she both starred in and produced.

Anna Garcia: Well, Kelly and Ruby’s dynamic, I think, of course they work together, but they’re friends and they love each other and care about each other. I think that Ruby would sort of follow Kelly wherever she went. I think that Kelly relies on Ruby to help get the job done. So I think they have this really wonderful, positive relationship.

I also think that, yeah, Ruby does keep Kelly on track and there are times where she checks her in the movie. To me, that felt like a big moment for my character. I feel like there’s been a lot of times where we’re on the same page, we go with the plan, but then when hiccups come up, she’s not afraid to speak her mind about it. And then of course, working with Scarlet is a dream. I say this every time. She’s an absolute dream. She’s so wonderful.

Jim Rash: As she should repeat this.

Anna Garcia: As I should repeat this because she is, and she could be a nightmare if she wanted to be. She’s been in so many movies, she’s such a big star, but she’s in fact so lovely and kind and thoughtful. She’s a wonderful producer and actress and person, and I’m her biggest fan.

Jim Rash Feels “Pretty Cautiously Optimistic” About The Community Movie

Although he didn’t have any new details, Rash did offer hope for the Community movie. He is “cautiously optimistic” they’ll be able to get started on it next year, but it is dependent on scheduling given how busy the cast is.

Jim Rash: Look, I wish I had the best, the thing to run with other than the fact that I feel pretty cautiously optimistic that next year is our time. It’s just a matter of with Donald and touring and Mr. And Mrs. Smith I think has got a second season, and Joel’s on animal control. So thankfully all of them are so very busy. We’re looking for that. But I have faith it’ll come together.

About Fly Me To The Moon

During the 1960s Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union, a relationship develops between the NASA director in charge of the Apollo 11 launch and the marketing specialist brought in to fix NASA’s public image and stage a “back-up” fake Moon landing.

Check out our other Fly Me To The Moon interviews here:

• Scarlett Johansson & Channing Tatum
• Ray Romano & Greg Berlanti

Source: Screen Rant Plus