Exclusive Interview: Jacob Batalon, Morena Baccarin, and Ángel Manuel Soto Talk ‘The Wrecking Crew’

Family ties have a way of pulling you back in—whether you’re ready or not. In this high-octane action-comedy set against the vibrant backdrop of Hawai‘i, The Wrecking Crew proves that sometimes the only way forward is straight through the chaos. Equal parts explosive spectacle and character-driven story, the film delivers the kind of throwback energy that honors the genre’s roots while carving out its own modern identity—never losing sight of the emotional stakes beneath the wreckage.

When estranged half-brothers Jonny (Jason Momoa) and James (Dave Bautista) are forced to reunite following their father’s mysterious death, what begins as a reluctant partnership quickly turns into a collision course with long-buried secrets, shifting loyalties, and a conspiracy that threatens to tear their family apart. As tensions rise and truths surface, the brothers find themselves ready to wreck anything that stands in their way—balancing sharp humor, explosive action, and the complicated bond that still ties them together.

Directed by Ángel Manuel Soto (Blue Beetle), the film also features standout performances from Morena Baccarin, Jacob Batalon, Temuera Morrison, Frankie Adams, and Roimata Fox, each bringing depth, heart, and personality to a story that ultimately centers on forgiveness, brotherhood, and the messy realities of family. We caught up with the cast and creative team to talk about building that lived-in dynamic, honoring the legacy of classic action films, and finding the humanity at the center of the mayhem.

PC: Morena, over the course of your incredible career you’ve brought so many layered characters to life. You’ve shared before that films in this genre succeed not just because of the action, but because audiences connect with the humanity at the center of the story. What was it about this role and this project that spoke to you? And when you decide to attach yourself to something like this, are you looking for anything specific—either creatively or through the collaboration with the team?
Morena: I’m always drawn to roles that I connect with on an emotional level. Life is short, so you have to go toward the things that truly speak to you. What I loved about her is that she doesn’t take any nonsense. She’s at a point in her life where she’s fully grown into herself—she still has a playful side, but she’s not someone who’s going to be steamrolled.

The film itself is also just so much fun, and at its core, the relationship between these two brothers—and the story it tells—is both beautiful and difficult in ways that feel very relatable. I was really drawn to the strength of the character and the emotional backbone of the story. Even in the middle of all the chaos, there were so many different layers and elements that made her incredibly enjoyable to play.

PC: Jacob, one of the central themes in this film is family—particularly brotherhood—and that feels deeply connected to the Hawaiian spirit. You really feel that in the scenes with Jason and Dave, especially through the unfiltered banter between the three of you. It comes across as effortless and lived-in. How much of what we see in the final cut was scripted versus improvised? And in what ways did that comfort level—and the cultural connections you shared—shape the dynamic and give you the freedom to play off one another and elevate those moments?
Jacob: A lot of it was improvised. I’d known Dave for a few years, but the first time I met Jason, the first thing he said to me was, “We’re going to go super hard on each other—let’s go crazy.” That immediately gave me a lot of freedom. The whole creative team really trusted us and allowed us to just be brothers.

In Hawaii, family is such a big part of the culture, so getting to explore that dynamic with them was really special.

This is kind of a random, funny side note, but the first few times I met Dave, he kept bringing up that we’re both Filipino—but he’s also half Greek. He’d always joke, “Why are you so short, bro?” And I’d tell him, “Dave, not all Filipinos are half something.” [laughs] But honestly, it was great getting to know them better and build that relationship and chemistry.

PC: Ángel, what I love so much about this film is how it feels both nostalgic and refreshing—it’s truly a love letter to the genre. The action sequences keep you on the edge of your seat, there are moments that have audiences laughing out loud, and yet at its core, it’s a story about forgiveness and family. Can you talk about finding that balance? It all feels so seamlessly woven together. And was there an element that was particularly challenging to bring from page to screen?
Ángel: Jonathan Tropper did an incredible job with the script. All of those dynamics between the brothers—the banter, the insults, the action, the heart, and that cathartic moment when they finally beat the truth out of each other—were already there on the page. Our responsibility was really to protect what was written and make sure we arrived at a place where their humanity ultimately overcomes everything else. The jokes, the action, and even the truth are all masks hiding the trauma that’s prevented them from healing. When they have no other choice but to talk and be vulnerable, that’s when they can finally become a team.

For us, it was about understanding what our North Star was so that everything else could shine because of it, not in spite of it. We were all aligned in honoring those classic action films from the ’80s and ’90s—Lethal Weapon, 48 Hrs., Running Scared, Die Hard—because those movies really helped shape us. At the same time, we wanted to bring our own aesthetic and perspective to it. The goal was to honor the films that came before us while carrying that torch forward in a way that reflects a different time, sensibility, and generation.

Make sure to follow Morena (Instagram), Jacob (Instagram), and Ángel (Instagram). Stream The Wrecking Crew on Prime Video today.