Matt Prokop is on the road to stardom aged just 19, he found fame (at least amongst an audience of teenage girls) when he appeared in Disney's ‘High School Musical 3', he's set to be the next Zac Efron when he takes a lead role in the upcoming ‘High School Musical 4 - East Meets West'. His latest movie is ‘Furry Vengeance', from ‘Cruel Intentions' director Roger Kumble. It plays like a live-action version of ‘Over The Hedge', we met up with the rising star to talk animals and musicals.
Furry Vengeance could be described as Home Alone crossed with Over The Hedge. Would you agree?
MP: Yeah, a lot of people have said that it's kind of like a live action version of Over The Hedge. I think it's a little different - there is definitely a lot more live action and the message for this film is very different.
What drew you to this animal packed movie?
MP: There are three things that really drew me to the movie. The director, Roger Kumble, I have been a huge fan of ever since I saw Cruel Intentions and Just friends. I loved Roger's work. The amazing cast - Brendan Fraser and Brooke Sheilds and Ken Jeong are three people who I idolise and I have really watched their careers. The third thing would have to be the environmental message. It's great we can put a message like this in a kids movie, where we are teaching the younger generation what is really going on and what rally happens when all these forests get taken down for shopping malls and neighbourhood when there are other things living there.
Tell us about your character, Tyler?
MP: Tyler Sanders is kind of your stereotypical teenager, wants nothing to do with his family and kind of just wants to be by himself and he meets Amber, who is the local environmentalist of the town and she reveals what is really going on and what his dad is really doing. He does what he can to impress her and stand up against his dad.
Could you identify with your character in anyway?
MP: Yeah. It's funny, I actually moved out to California in the same time in my life as Tyler had to move into the forest and leave all his friends behind so it was really similar. When I first moved down to California I knew no one, had no friends and did what I could to meet people. I would go to acting classes and try to make friends. That was really similar to Tyler... And I definitely would do whatever I could to impress a girl, like Tyler would! [laughs]
Tyler is very much a city person. Which do you prefer, country or city?
MP: Now that I have lived in California for a little over four years, I definitely prefer the city life. Something about it being quiet kind of scares me. I like hearing sirens in the background and cars honking. It's a good noise to go to sleep to! [laughs]
In the film, Lyman Industries are supposed to be a ‘green' company, but really they are anything but. Do you think many companies behave like this?
MP: I think it is a common problem that a lot of people will put out a certain message that they are environmentally friendly and then you see what's really going on and you think ‘wow, these people are really doing terrible things'. Sad as it is to say, that's how a lot of things work nowadays and hopefully this movie will show a little bit of what's going on and help people change their opinions.
What was the biggest challenge for you while making the film?
MP: I think the biggest challenge was working with Ken Jeong [laughs] He is a comedian, non-stop and those were actually the funnest days on set. Any days I was off and Ken was working I had to be there and I had to see what he was going to say next. He is just an amazing comedian whose brain is moving constantly. I don't know how he does it.
What kind impact has being in the High School Musical movies had on your career?
MP: It's funny; Roger Kumble's kids are actually really big fans of High School Musical, so that's actually how I got called in for the audition - because his kids loved my work and they kept making him watch the movie. He really got to see some of my comedic timing, so I think that really helped with getting me this role. High School Musical has done a lot, just by getting my name out there and getting better auditions and meting with directors. It's definitely a big part of my career.
How did you get into the world of acting?
MP: I was kind of a class clown, growing up. I got in trouble a lot for making jokes and talking out of turn. It was one of those things that I was either going to stay in school and keep getting in trouble for making people laugh or I could try and act make people laugh as a job. So I started taking acting classes for a year. By that time I had moved out to California with my mom, got and agent and started going to auditions and all that wonderful stuff... [laughs]
Did you ever want to do anything else?
MP: Growing up I played a lot of soccer... or football... and that is what I saw myself doing. I want to be a professional soccer player and that's what I thought I would do until Freshman year when I got a soccer injury and tore a tendon in my right knee and I quit soccer. It was one of those things... I really didn't have any passions or dreams or anything. Acting was always on my mind because I was kind of an actor on the soccer field - every time I tripped or anything I would try and sell it [laughs] - so I already had a little acting behind me, but it's definitely all I want to do now. Hopefully I will be able to do it for the rest of my life.
What has been your favourite role so far?
MP: I'd have to say my favourite role... Don't get me wrong, Rocket Man [in Highschool Musical 3] was a blast to play, but I would have to say my favourite role so far would have to be Tyler. Furry Vengeance was just such a wonderful opportunity and I was just a huge fan of all the cast, the director... and even the producers behind the movie, they have produced movies like Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore - all these movies that I grew up on. It was kind of like a Who's Who of actors, directors and producers. It was just such and amazing opportunity and a great film to be a part of.
What have you got planned next?
MP: I actually just shot an independent movie called Conception. It's about eight couples all falling in love on the same day. I play one of the young couple who fall in love for the first time.
Words - Brogen Hayes
Furry Vengeance is at Irish Cinemas from May 7th