Diary of a Wimpy Kid, a new animated film that just dropped on Disney+, is the latest adaptation of author and cartoonist Jeff Kinney's ultra-popular book series. After spin-offs and four live-action films, this animated iteration is penned by Kinney himself and takes viewers back to the very first adventure Greg (voiced by Brady Noon of Boardwalk Empire) shared in his journal.
Somewhat of an outcast at his middle school, Greg spends his time playing video games with his best friend Rowley (Ethan William Childress, Mixed-ish) and avoiding the molding piece of cheese stuck to the cement outside the school. In devising ways to move up the popularity ranks, Greg soon loses sight of the things that really matter until his family and Rowley help pull him back.
Noon spoke to Screen Rant about his own affection for the books and film series, the importance of Greg and Rowley's friendship, and how far he'd like to take his character.
Screen Rant: Did you have experience with the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books or the movies beforehand? What was your reaction when Greg came into your life?
Brady Noon: The first time that Greg came into my life was actually in third or fourth grade, when I heard about the books. That was the first time that I heard about Greg Heffley and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Instantly, I got hooked on the books, and I started reading all of them. And the movies I grew up with and everything.
To be part of such an amazing franchise, and especially doing the voice of Greg, has been a dream come true.
How did you find the voice of Greg and decide how you're going to read these lines? Did you get to bounce off other actors or the director?
Brady Noon: No, I didn't really bounce off anyone. We did our own individual sessions, so it was kind of all up to me. But I did a lot of homework: I re-read all the books and watched all the movies again. I took inspiration from the books mainly, but I definitely listen to the voice in the movies because I know fans of big franchises aren't subject to a big change.
I tried to get that pitch of the original voice as close as possible, so you get that nostalgia voice. I went with a higher-pitched voice to match the original Greg and put my own little spin on it, but I think it sounds pretty close to the original. I mean, I think it sounds good.
When I watched the trailer, the first thing I noticed was all these comments being like, "Greg doesn't seem like enough of a sociopath." Then, as I watched the first five minutes of the film, I was like, "I don't know, he seems kind of sociopathic to me..." What do you make of his social skills and the way that Greg behaves at the start of the film?
Brady Noon: I definitely think that he's just trying to prove to everyone that he's the coolest kid alive. I think that the popularity concept in his head is definitely a big factor on why he's acting the way he does in the beginning of the movie, especially midway through the movie, where I think he gets lost.
But definitely, towards the end of the movie, you really find his true colors and where his priorities are with his friends. What he does with Rowley and the Cheese Touch situation in the movie is just so beautiful and wraps up their friendship so amazingly.
Speaking of Rowley and that friendship, it's at the heart of the stories in general, but especially this movie. How do you view that friendship, and how do you think Greg views Rowley over the course of the film?
Brady Noon: I think Greg initially doesn't really take it that seriously. It's a very strong friendship, you can tell. And I feel like everyone can almost put themselves in Greg's shoes and even Rowley's shoes because I'm sure everyone has that right hand man that they hang out with; their go-to guy or girl. But he doesn't take it seriously.
In the beginning, I think he's just like, "Oh, he's just my friend." But then towards the end of the movie, he's like, "That's my only friend! He's it. I can't screw this up anymore." I think he definitely takes it more seriously and is not taking it as lightly as he was in the beginning of the film.
You mentioned Cheese Touch, which is a huge antagonist for Greg Heffley. Is there anything in your life or childhood that is like the Cheese Touch?
Brady Noon: We actually played a game called Cheese Touch at recess with my friends, and it was inspired because of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, but it was essentially just tag.
I'll explain the rules of the game, because people can play it. It's actually fun. It's the same game as Poison, but we just called it Cheese Touch. One person has the Cheese Touch, and if they tag that person, then now both of you guys have the Cheese Touch and you still have to go. If you tag another one, then three of you have it. Then the last person standing wins.
Yeah, it's definitely a fun game we used to play at recess, and it was inspired by Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
Are there any lessons that you have learned either while playing Greg or that were inspired by his hardships?
Brady Noon: Definitely, the mistakes that Greg made and how he rebounded on them to stay with all of his friends is something that I definitely picked up and implemented into my own life. Just taking a positive outlook on things, like Greg does when he has the cheese touch and is like, "Hey, this isn't that bad. I get three tables. Everyone gives me space." Just looking at things with a positive aspect is something that I really tried to put in my life as well and try to implement from Greg.
What are your views on Greg and his family dynamic? He acts like he's not interested in his family, but when his mother calls him out, he knows he has some reflecting to do.
Brady Noon: I think it's great. I think his parents really understand him, and they can kind of tell when something's up. They'll say something, and then he's like, "Oh God, what does she know? What doesn't she know?"
I feel like that's kind of the relationship I have with my mom as well, so it's very similar. Like my mom knows if I didn't let the trash out. "Did you let the trash out?" "Yeah, I did." "Did you?" "I said... I will." It's very similar.
I also really enjoyed you in The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers, and I know you're coming back for season 2 soon. What are you most excited about when going back to that show?
Brady Noon: I'm just excited to go back and get back to work. I know the pandemic wasn't helping, so being able to work on multiple different projects is just a blessing - it's a blessing to be super excited to get to work. I know that we're starting production. I'm not too sure when, but I know that they're currently writing the script. It's awesome.
Since you are an enthusiast of the Wimpy Kid adventures, what is it that you would like to see Greg and Rowley get up to next? Is there a particular book you want to adapt?
Brady Noon: I want to see them go to high school. I want to see how they would survive high school. By the time Greg gets into high school, Rodrick should be leaving or something like that. I feel like now Rodrick could be like, "Alright, this is the survival guide of high school." And it's just this whole new level of, "You have to play football," and then they go play football and get bodied.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid is now available to stream on Disney+.
