Paul Rudd has appeared in several comedies since the mid-90s and has become a full-fledged action star in the wake of his role in the MCU as Ant-Man. He's appeared in dozens of movies and some are more celebrated than others.
Some fans say that Paul Rudd one of his best forgotten roles. The movie brings together several comedic talents, from David Wain to Joe Lo Truglio. Audiences might wonder what happened behind the scenes to bring the quirky story to moviegoers everywhere.
It Had A Different Title
Role Models came to audiences in 2008, but there were whisperings of the feature in the film world long before that. In 2006, JoBlo reported about the movie in its early stages, when it was to be titled Big Brother.
At that time, The Girl Next Door director Luke Greenfield was set to direct, with Timothy Dowling writing the screenplay. These credits would continue to change, but Paul Rudd appeared to always be the choice for the lead.
It Started As A Drama
In an interview with gave David Wain one of his highest-rated movies, and it may be surprising to learn that it started as a drama.
Wain said the movie went through "many lives before [he] was involved." The movie started as a focus on Rudd's Danny character and one of the younger actors' characters but was then stretched out to a "two-hander" before becoming a comedy.
Paul Rudd Helped Write The Script
Paul Rudd, Ken Marino, and director David Wain are all credited with writing the screenplay for Role Models with Timothy Dowling. Marino plays Jim, father to Christopher Mintz-Plasse's Augie in the movie.
The job came to them amid the project's once ever-changing status. Before Role Models got its official title, Wain called the film Big Little Men in The Daily Athenaeum.
There's A Story Behind The Wings Joke
Fans might notice a strange running joke in the movie about Paul McCartney's band Wings. A.D. Miles' Martin sings a song that he claims to be a Wings hit, which his peers deny.
At the end of the film, the song is played by Joey Curatolo, a performer in a Beatles cover band. The song is credited by "Not Wings," and A. D. Miles and Charles Gansa wrote the piece.
Paul Rudd Laughed So Hard He Had An Accident
Some fans might say Wanderlust. However, others perhaps say the movie is widely known for its hilarious moments.
The humor didn't seem to be lost on Rudd during filming; Liveminty reported that he laughed so hard during an improvised scene that he peed his pants.
Christopher Mintz-Plasse Was Chosen After The Director Saw Superbad
Many fans say Christopher Mintz-Plasse's character McLovin in Superbad is the funniest in the film. David Wain perhaps agrees as the director hired him after seeing him perform the role.
Wain said there was no second choice for Mintz-Plasse's character Augie. The director recalled that he saw Superbad in the middle of his search for Augie, and knew he was perfect.
Keegan-Michael Key Makes A Cameo
There are several side characters in Role Models, some played by Wain's usual collaborators like Joe Lo Truglio and Ken Marino.
However, observant fans will notice another familiar comedian in the background of a few scenes. When Danny and Wheeler first visit Study Wings, Keegan-Michael Key can be seen sitting in one of the back rows. He is credited as Duane.
Paul Rudd's Real Middle School Is Mentioned
Rudd's Danny and Sean William Scott's Wheeler interact with younger kids thanks to their law-mandated community service responsibilities. Danny's younger "brother" is closer to high school-aged while Wheeler's "little" Ronnie is a middle schooler.
At one point, Wheeler mentions to Danny that they need to quickly get to Blue Valley Middle School to fulfill their responsibilities. This is the name of the real middle school Rudd attended near Kansas City.
David Wain Makes A Cameo
Director David Wain sometimes appears in small parts in his movies. Role Models presents perhaps one of the most recognizable cameos he has done. Wain appears at Sturdy Wings in the background of a segment in which Wheeler talks to Ronnie as the tension between them rises.
However, his most memorable appearance comes when the group goes camping, and Wain plays a man trying and failing to serenade the group with a song on acoustic guitar.
