Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with PAW Patrol: The Movie’s Will Brisbin

Will Brisbin is an exciting young star to keep your eye on. This year, he’s delivering a paw-fect performance in his first animated feature, PAW Patrol: The Movie. Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to catch up with Will ahead of the film’s premiere to learn more about him, PAW Patrol: The Movie, and what it’s meant to him to join this popular franchise.

PC: How did you discover your passion for acting?
Will: I started acting at age seven when I got the role of a tiny orphan in Oliver Twist at our local theater. I instantly fell in love with the stage! The older kids and adults took me under their wings, teaching me the ropes as well as some card games backstage! On closing night, I remember crying my eyes out because I didn’t want the show to be over. At that moment, I knew I had caught the acting bug!

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Will: I would say the biggest influences on my career have been the numerous directors and actors that I’ve had the privilege to work with in both theater and film. They have always been so supportive and willing to give me great advice. I am so lucky to have had amazing drama teachers from whom I’ve learned so much.

PC: Tell us about PAW Patrol: The Movie, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Will: PAW Patrol: The Movie is a high-stakes thrill ride that is super fun for the whole family! It will get your blood pumping and make you laugh, and it packs an emotional punch! Ryder is the fearless leader of the team. He and the pups are willing to do anything to help the people of Adventure City and save the day. My agent put me forward to audition for the role in early 2020, and I was so excited! I went through a super fun audition process that included a callback in Toronto. I had never done voiceover before so I was very excited to try something different and have the opportunity to bring Ryder to life.

PC: Did you feel any pressure heading into this project given how beloved the franchise is?
Will: There was a lot of pressure! I had massive shoes to fill as PAW Patrol is one of the most popular and beloved kids’ franchises of this generation. I knew I had to do it justice! I really tried to envision myself as this character. I watched as many episodes as I could and practiced being Ryder in the mirror at least thirty minutes a day. I actually think the hardest part was trying to keep my involvement in the project a total secret from my friends and family, including my two younger siblings who love PAW Patrol.

PC: What was the audition process like? How did you celebrate the news that you had landed the role?
Will: When my agent put me forward to do my first ever voiceover audition, we had no idea it was for PAW Patrol! When I got shortlisted for a callback, I was super pumped! They flew my mom and I to Toronto. We got picked up in a limo, and we got to stay at the Skydome Hotel looking over the Blue Jays field! It was so cool!

After Toronto, we didn’t hear anything from the PAW Patrol team for a few weeks. Every morning, I checked my mom’s email and listened to her voicemails just to make sure we didn’t miss a message. Finally, we received the call that I had got the part of Ryder! I was so excited! At the time, I wasn’t allowed to share the news with anyone except my parents, so it was hard to keep the secret from my two siblings.

PC: This is your first animated project. Did anything surprise you about the process? What was the biggest takeaway?
Will: I learned a lot in my first voiceover role. It was so much fun, and I’m so glad that I got this opportunity. I learned that voiceover work is still very physical. Even alone in a tiny booth, I found I needed to move to get into character just as I would on stage. The biggest takeaway from this project was just how much fun I had. I would love to do it again.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Favorite TV show?
Will: The Office.

PC: Favorite movie?
Will: Pulp Fiction.

PC: Favorite book?
Will: Walt Disney: An American Original.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Will: Matilda the Musical.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Will: My favorite genre of music is rock and roll, which would probably surprise a lot of people! My top 3 favorite artists/bands are Bruce Springsteen, Mötley Crüe, and Queen!

PC: Dream role?
Will: Definitely Andy Dufresne from Shawshank Redemption, Jordan Belfort from The Wolf of Wall Street, and Henry Hill from Goodfellas!

To keep up with Will, follow him on Twitter and Instagram. PAW Patrol: The Movie hits theater and Paramount+ on August 20.

Photo Credit: Ryan Parker