Pop-Culturalist.com

Director Justin Wu, celebrated for scoring big with Kim’s Convenience and Reginald the Vampire, takes the helm of the highly-anticipated Wattpad-to-screen adaptation, Sidelined: The QB and Me.

Adapted from Tay Marley’s breakout YA novel, Sidelined: The QB and Me, the film follows Dallas (Siena Agudong), a determined dancer carrying the weight of her late mother’s legacy as she fights to gain admission to the country’s top dance school. Her path takes an unexpected turn when Drayton (Noah Beck), the charming yet emotionally complex high-school quarterback, collides with her world—both literally and figuratively. Together, they navigate grief, ambition, and a growing connection that may either fuel their dreams or leave them sidelined.

Pop Culturalist had the pleasure of speaking with Justin about bringing Sidelined: The QB and Me to the screen, how he put his own creative stamp on it, bringing much-needed representation to the screen, and more.

PC: It’s so rare to join a project that already has an existing fan base. With this being adapted from such a popular IP, how were you able to find the balance between honoring the source material while also putting your own creative stamp on it?
Justin: It’s important to understand that there’s a difference between written material and the art form of cinema. One is read and internalized, while the other relies on visual storytelling. The simplest way I describe it to audiences is that, in novels, we often have the ability to explore a character’s thoughts directly, whereas in film and TV, we don’t have that same luxury unless we use extensive voiceover.

As far as honoring the source material, I had the pleasure of speaking with Tay [Marley], the original author. I read the novel and worked to understand where the characters were coming from, alongside the screenwriters, to ensure that the spirit of the novel was authentically maintained. At the end of the day, my goal is to make sure fans are happy with this interpretation of the story.

On the other hand, we do make some creative choices that honor the story while also figuring out the best way to translate it cinematically. That often means focusing on what we can show visually rather than relying on the exposition that works well in novel form.

PC: Great answer. What’s so compelling about this film is how the characters and the world you built reflect what audiences see in their day-to-day lives, and you really pushed for proper representation on screen. Why has that been so fundamental to your DNA as a director? How do you hope this project will continue to open doors for people who look like us, both in front of and behind the camera?
Justin: We are the face of reality in a positive way. We live in a very multicultural society, both in North America and around the world. Whenever I have the opportunity, I want to paint the world with authenticity. That said, if a film is set in a specific period, I also aim to ensure it remains authentic to that time and place.

In this particular film and world, I had the blessing of Tay when we cast Siena Agudong as Dallas. Her personal culture, being Filipino, brought an incredible richness to the story. We didn’t just touch on her culture—we leaned into it. Those nuances helped shape the character. As you’ve seen in the film, much like in the book, Dallas has lost her parents and is navigating life with her brother. Adding the cultural context of her Filipino heritage was really important. Visually, we approached it with great care and authenticity, from costume design to the small details, like the Filipino charm Siena wears around her neck.

Siena, as an actor, was able to tap into that cultural connection. It added depth to her performance, especially in moments where her character feels the presence of her mother or seeks to remind herself of her parents.

Whenever I build worlds, even if they’re set in the present day, I strive for authenticity. We owe it to our audience, but also to society, to ensure not only proper representation of characters on screen but also of the people behind the camera. I’m incredibly proud of the team we had on this project. We had an amazing production designer and art director, along with great representation across the board behind the scenes.

This begins with me advocating for young, upcoming talent as well as established professionals, and it requires the studio to support these choices. As a director, it was crucial for me to get it right—and I’m proud of what we achieved.

PC: Credit to you as well because you’ve created a cast of diverse characters and actors without needing to call attention to it—it’s done so subtly. Perfect segue to this next question: there’s an interesting contrast in your ensemble, with veteran actors alongside fresh faces. So often in stories with “adult” characters, they’re in service of the younger ensemble. But in this film, everyone has a three-dimensional story. How did you adjust your directing style to meet the needs of each individual cast member while creating space for them to explore the playfulness of the script as well as those heartfelt moments?c
Justin: First and foremost, as a director, I believe in the mantra that you have to create a positive and inclusive environment to play. That starts with allowing the cast the opportunity to express their thoughts and share their personal stories. Step one is listening—truly hearing their perspectives. Step two is leaning into their personal experiences, whether it’s a veteran actor reflecting on years of chasing a dream or a newcomer finding their footing. These are universal threads that can elevate their performances.

My approach, whether working with an experienced actor or a fresh face, is to give them space to express themselves and let them blossom. That’s the key. Creating an environment where actors aren’t siloed is equally important. I encourage them to interact, rehearse together, and discuss their scenes as much as possible. When scene partners build a connection off-screen, it enhances their chemistry on-screen. I also make sure they feel free to ask questions and explore their characters fully.

Make sure to follow Justin on Instagram. Sidelined: The QB and Me premieres on Tubi on November 29th.