Real Dads + Real Steel = Real Deal.

Most of you saw from all of the tweets and Facebook posts that Crystal and I spent a week in Los Angeles. During that time we went and saw Real Steel and I told you all about that. What I didn’t tell you all is that we got to interview some of the cast and crew of the film. What really impressed me about a good bit of people that worked on and starred in Real Steel was that they let their passion as parents show in this movie. From behind the camera to being right there across from eight foot tall robots on-screen, different aspects of these peoples real lives were shared with us and what inspired me the most was the stories of their children in and around the film.

Director of Real Steel Shawn Levy brought his insight to the film and explained that “I don’t even really think of the movie as an action movie. I kind of think of it as a father-son movie more than anything else.” Those words coming from the dad of four girls, may seem a bit funny. Shawn’s passion though was really fueled by the want of a great family film for everyone. “We ended up having this experience where, a family can go to a movie actually together, because as we all know as parents, like, things that are called family films are so often just kind of condescendingly made for the lowest common denominator, and we sit there either asleep, which I’ve done sometimes, or resentful, or what not.” I know I have been there and done that. Fun fact though: Three of his four daughters make an appearance in the film.

Sugar Ray Leonard was the Boxing Consultant on the film and he shared that his entire family (including his movie loving mother-in-law) caught an advanced screening and truly adored it. He shared some of his advice that he gives to his children and I thought that the “boxer-dad” got it so right. He told us “You know just continue to be a fighter outside the ring and continually dream and reach for your goals and don’t ever believe you can’t become something because someone tells you, you can’t.  Because that happens all the time. People don’t want you to succeed because they can’t succeed.” Some words that really rang true to me being a father and yet also a son was when he shared “I stress to kids to be a leader not a follower.” Sugar Ray also shared that we need to try to always be their in our kids greatest battles “To let them know that it’s okay to talk to ‘em about whether it any problem.”

Anthony Mackie played “Finn” in the movie and he shared a bit about his relationship with his family and how they interact with his work life. I think it is awesome the way he doesn’t like to bring the family to a set and said “No, I don’t, I don’t like the whole circus of presenting my family.”  When asked why he doesn’t really care that much to have them come on set he explained “I don’t like that. You know, it just…it makes me feel weird like they’re on display. Like who’s that? That’s my family. Oh. You know, throw ‘em a cookie or something. It’s just weird.” Very respectful of a very good dad and a very funny man.

Hugh Jackman who plays “Charlie Kenton” in the movie. I knew that he did have kids in real life and I really wanted to ask him a question from one father to another. He blew me away when I asked him the question about his performance onscreen “Is it easy to just let that genuine father emotion come out that you have?” He followed up with “First of all I played a father on screen and I found all the emotions very easy to acts– like real easy.” We also asked what was it like having to be kinda rude to a kid onscreen and really be frustrated with him and what did he tap into to get to that point. e shared with us an answer that had a great peek into some Hugh Jackman parenting. He said “I had to be mean to him and Shawn encouraged me to go for it. They’re like, “Really?” When you have kids, there are times lines come to your head. Like you wanna say something when they frustrate you. And sometimes you do let it slip and you feel bad for like a week. Right? But almost every day there’s something you wanna say that you shove deep down. I’ve walked out of rooms before I’ve been so frustrated. I remember going out and like punching a pillow on my bed, like I’m so frustrated, you know. Like sometimes if you don’t wanna show them. So for three months every day I got to say it!” Sounds like perfect preparation to me Hugh!

I hope you guys checked out the movie Real Steel this weekend and if you haven’t you’d better go and see what you are missing.

October 9, 2011 | Filed Under Family 

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One Response to “Real Dads + Real Steel = Real Deal.”

    1
      Click Here on August 15th, 2023 11:55 am

      Real Dads + Real Steel = Real Deal is an inspiring and powerful combination that showcases the strength of fatherhood. This tagline truly captures the essence of genuine dedication and love.

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