ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
October 9, 2009
Flying High
Actors Corbin Bleu and Madison Pettis give TFK the scoop on their new movie, Free Style
High School Musical's Corbin Bleu soars high in the new movie Free Style, in theaters now. Corbin plays Cale Bryant, a young man who works two jobs to help support his mother and younger sister, Bailey (The Game Plan's Madison Pettis). Cale does all this while trying to follow his dream of becoming a professional motocross racer. When a pro-tour motocross rider injures himself, Cale finally gets his chance. The winner of the Amateur Championship Race will capture a spot on the pro tour. But does Cale have what it takes to win? With his new girlfriend, Alex, and his best friend, Justin, rooting him on, anything is possible.
 |  MARCEL WILLISM—SAMUEL GOLDWYN FILMS Cole Bryant (Corbin Bleu) dreams of being a professional motocross racer. |
TFK chatted with Bleu and Pettis about the movie, their roles and how the two actors get along.
TFK:How does this role compare with other parts you've had? Was it more challenging?
BLEU:Cale is a real guy. He is rugged and definitely different than Chad, [my character in High School Musical]. Chad is a jock. His biggest issue is asking Taylor to the dance. Cale has a lot more on his plate. He's a little more complex.
PETTIS:I've played Sophie (in Cory in the House), who is devious, and Peyton (in The Game Plan), who is very loving . . . Peyton is probably the most similar role to Bailey. Bailey idolizes her big brother. He's basically her hero, and he's the man of the house too. It was pretty easy to play Corbin's little sister because he was so sweet and was just like a big brother off set. It was easy to act like you love him because he is so lovable.
TFK:Did you know anything about motocross before the movie?
BLEU:No. I had never been to a race and had never ridden a bike. Now I'm obsessed with it. I have a bike, go to all the races, and I have become friends with the riders. It's become a passion of mine.
PETTIS:Not one thing. [Laughs] That's one reason why I wanted this role, because I didn't know anything about motocross. I was excited to learn more about it. It's so challenging, and I have so much respect for the racers. They're amazing.
TFK:What was your favorite scene to film?
BLEU:I loved the scene where I got to blow up and break a window. I'm not usually the type of person who would do that. I usually let everything roll and am very calm and relaxed. Whenever you get the chance to build up that energy on screen, it is fun.
PETTIS:Probably the last scene with Bailey and Cale, where she goes up to him and hugs him for a minute, and she says, "You'll never leave us, right?" It's a sweet brother-sister moment, and I loved those moments in the movie.
TFK:What sort of training did you need to learn motocross, Corbin?
BLEU:Funny enough, my manager is a rider. He took me out to the track and taught me how to ride, as well as [professional motocross racers] Grant Langston and Cole Seely.
TFK:What was it like for the two of you to work together?
BLEU:Awesome! It was wonderful. I think there's a 30-year-old woman trapped inside Madison's body. [Laughs] She is just incredible. We actually met each other a few years ago, and we meet constantly on the red carpet, and laugh and say, "Hey, we should play brother and sister in a movie someday." So, it was just great.
 COURTESY KIM JORGENSEN Kid Reporter Curtis Jorgensen and Free Style star Madison Pettis | |
Working with Corbin was so much fun. He's just like a big brother. He has little sisters around my age, and I have a big brother who is [the same age as Corbin]. So, while we were filming the movie, we acted like brother and sister off screen too, since we were missing our siblings.
TFK:How would you compare yourselves to your characters in the movie? Are you more alike or different?
BLEU:Cale and I definitely have some similarities. I mean, as far as caring for our family, I would do anything for my family. I would lay down my life for my family.
PETTIS:Bailey and I both have big brothers that we love. My brother, Steven, is in the Army. I think Bailey is a very loving character and looks up to her brother, which I do too.
TFK:What other projects are you working on now?
PETTIS:Well, I'm in some episodes of Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader, which airs on the CMT network. And then I'm starting a voiceover series on the Disney Channel called Jake's Team Pirate, so that keeps me busy. I also have to do school work.
TFK:Corbin, would you like to see your music career grow?
BLEU:I would definitely like to see my music career grow. I don't want to do any music that's not going to be right. It really has to come from an organic place. You can't force it. It has to be real and the truth and you have to find where that comes from.
TFK:Are there any actors you'd like to work with in the future and what would be your dream role?
PETTIS:Selena Gomez. We're from the same town in Texas, and we have the same birthday. I know her, and she's very sweet. But I've never gotten the chance to work with her, so I'd love to work with Selena. I'd like to work with Reese Witherspoon. I think she's a great actress. She's one of my inspirations. My dream role would be to combine my two loves - I'd love to be able to dance and act in a movie.
