Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with In the Tall Grass’ Will Buie Jr.

Will Buie Jr. is leading the next wave of up-and-coming actors. At only twelve, he had a starring role in Disney Channel’s Bunk’d, playing the energetic and adventurous Finn. Next, he’ll be see starring opposite Patrick Wilson in Netflix’s new horror film, In the Tall Grass. Pop Culturalist spoke with Will about all his exciting projects.

In the Tall Grass Questions

PC: Tell us about In the Tall Grass, your character, and what attracted you to this project.
Will: I was nervous at first because I had never done a horror movie before, but one of my best friends (Mckenna Grace) encouraged me to give it a try. When I read the script, I realized how different it was from anything I had ever done, so I wanted to challenge myself and try something new.

I play Tobin, a little boy who is stuck in the grass with his parents and dog. I call out to a sister (who is pregnant) and brother and encourage them to come into the grass. It’s scary inside the grass and nearly impossible to get out. The movie is about our adventures in the grass.

PC: How did you prepare to play Tobin? How familiar were you with the novel?
Will: In the Tall Grass is a novella written by Stephen King and his son, Joe Hill. I was not familiar with it at all, so my mom read it and described him to me. She also helped me research scary boy characters in horror movies so I could get a feel for what Tobin might be like. After I got the part, I learned more about him from our amazing director, Vincenzo Natali, and he helped me understand who Tobin is and the different parts of his character that helped me play him in the movie.

PC: What was it like working opposite Patrick Wilson?
Will: Patrick was so nice. I enjoyed talking to him in between scenes while we were cooling off from 90+ degree weather just outside of the tall grass in Ontario. He brought his two boys on set a couple of times, so it was fun to meet them, too.

Bunk’d Questions

PC: You’re also starring in Bunk’d. For readers who may not be familiar, tell us about the series, your character, and what drew you to that project.
Will: Bunk’d is a Disney Channel TV show that is all about a group of kids who go to summer camp. The camp is in Maine, and the counselors used to be from the show, Jessie. The Ross kids left the show in Season 4, but Lou (played by Miranda May) is still there. We have two new counselors and one new camper this season. This is my character’s second summer at Camp Kikiwaka. Finn is very adventurous and silly, not very smart, and gross at times. He is a fun friend to have around. He’s referred to as the “lovable goofball”.

PC: You joined Bunk’d in season three. Were you familiar with the show before your audition? Was it a challenge joining an established cast?
Will: I was very familiar with Bunk’d. I was such a huge fan of Bunk’d and Jessie—I knew every episode by heart. I really loved the characters in seasons 1 and 2, but I was excited they were going to have new characters in season 3 because it gave me a chance to audition. I studied the lines a lot and practiced so much before my auditions and two screen tests.

It wasn’t a challenge at all joining an established cast. If anything, the established cast (Peyton List, Karan Brar, Skai Jackson, and Miranda May) helped us new kids learn the ropes quickly, so we were up and running really fast and they also helped us along the way.

PC: What can you tease about Finn’s arc this season? How has Finn changed throughout the series? What has he taught you?
Will: Well, you start to see Finn try to take on new a responsibility by learning how to be a farmer, and you also see more of Finn’s sensitive side sometimes. In general, Finn’s story arc is all about humor and having fun at camp.

He hasn’t changed too much other than getting a little older and a little taller. He has taught me how to have fun, and the writers who write Finn’s lines have taught me how to be funnier in real life as well.

PC: What is it like being a part of the Disney family?
Will: Being a part of the Disney family is better than I could have ever dreamed. They take good care of us and the fans. Fan Fest is the best example of that. Plus, they give us tickets each year so we can enjoy the parks, and they also have parties so we can get to know the actors on their other shows. In addition, they care about our well-being by providing different classes on how to manage stress and a heavy workload on set and in school. They are always visiting us during our production week and checking up on us to make sure we are all doing well.

PC: How did you discover your passion for acting?
Will: When I was in first grade, I was in the World Storytelling Day at my school and I was the only first grader invited to tell my story on the main stage alongside much older elementary and middle school kids. I thought it was so fun and I guess I did well on stage because so many kids and parents told me and my parents afterwards that I should be on stage more.

I took theatre classes and loved it, then took on-camera classes and loved that too. Being on-set can be boring to some people, and it requires a lot of focus. The first day on a movie set, even though I didn’t work that much that day, I watched, learned and I knew after that experience that this is what I wanted to do. I had the best time and am so thankful my family and friends support me.

PC: How challenging is it to balance life as a normal kid and your career?
Will: My family has always traveled a lot, so we just continue to travel as a family to make sure we all see each other as much as we can—and I spend a lot of time on FaceTime. I still go to a regular day school in Atlanta, so that keeps me in the “normal kid world”, even though I like to say that nothing is “normal” these days.

I have a different schedule than a lot of kids, but many kids miss school for travel sports, and acting is kind of like that. I am so lucky my school in Atlanta supports me when I’m on-set. When I’m not working, I go to my regular school. When I am working, the productions are very strict on set and make sure they follow all of the laws and rules of the actors’ union, including making sure I get all of the schooling I’m supposed to get. When I’m “working”—that’s where all of my fun comes in.

I’m learning at a young age that work should be something you love and enjoy doing. I’m grateful every day that I get to do what I love.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Will: Top Gear, and I still watch Bunk’d and Jessie on the Disney Channel.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Will: The Upside

PC: Favorite book?
Will: Elon Musk and the Quest for a Fantastic Future

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Will: Matilda

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Will: Alec Benjamin

PC: Last show you binge-watched?
Will: Sydney to the Max on Disney Channel. It’s a great show and the actors are all really nice.

PC: Hidden talent?
Will: It’s not really hidden, but I have a talent for learning and remembering a lot of facts about a lot of different cars.

To keep up with Will, follow him on Twitter and Instagram, and watch In the Tall Grass on out now on Netflix.