‘Code 8: Part II’ Interview: Robbie Amell and Stephen Amell

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(L to R) Robbie Amell and Stephen Amell Talk ‘Code 8: Part II.’

Premiering on Netflix February 28th is the sequel to the 2019 sci-fi film ‘Code 8,’ which is entitled ‘Code 8: Part II’ and once again stars Robbie Amell (‘The Flash’) and Stephen Amell (‘Arrow’).

Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Robbie Amell and Stephen Amell about their new sequel, reprising their characters, how they’ve changed since the last movie, working together, collaborating with director Jeff Chan, and robotic dogs.

Robbie Amell as Connor, and Jean Yoon as Mina in 'Code 8: Part II.'

Moviefone: To begin with, Robbie, can you talk about reprising this role and what’s happening with Connor when the new movie begins?

Robbie Amell: So, our movie picks up five years after ‘Code 8’ part one ends. Connor is just getting out of prison and he’s trying to get back to some semblance of a normal life. Stephen’s character has spent the last five years building a bit of an empire and working with some shady characters. Then after the first 10 minutes of the movie, it’s pretty much a chase movie and it moves fast, and it almost happens in real time. So, it’s tough to give too much away without really jumping right into the story.

MF: Stephen, what was it like for you to play Garrett again and explore the character more with this sequel?

Stephen Amell: I think that Jeff Chan, our director and Chris Paré, his writing partner, did a cool job. We really get to dive into Garrett and Connor a little bit more. They wrote us some great, wonderful scenes. There’s a diner scene that is, I think both of our favorites.

Stephen Amell as Garrett, Robbie Amell as Connor in 'Code 8: Part II.'

MF: Robbie, can you talk about that relationship and why Connor doesn’t trust Garrett?

RA: I mean, they just don’t really see eye to eye in the first movie. Garrett is doing what he thinks is right and Connor is doing what he thinks is right, and I think that’s kind of life. Stephen always says Garrett’s the hero of his own story, and I think that’s true for life. People see themselves as the world’s main character and the hero of the story. In our world, everybody is not out for themselves, but decisions are being made and they’re in a gray area. It’s not necessarily right or wrong or black and white, it’s dependent on who’s making the decision and people do the wrong things for the right reasons and I like that. I think it’s interesting that at the end of the first movie Connor makes a decision that I think a lot of people didn’t agree with. I know a lot of people that did agree with it. I think that’s interesting that it sparks questions and life is about perspective.

MF: Stephen, what’s it been like for you playing a darker type of character than most audiences are used to seeing you play?

SA: Listen, I love it. I like being evil. I try to be nice in my real life. So, it’s fun to threaten people and to be evil. It’s a little bit of a release.

Related Article: ‘Arrow’ Star Stephen Amell to Lead the Cast of Spin-Off ‘Suits L.A.’

Stephen Amell as Garrett in 'Code 8: Part II.'

MF: Stephen, can you talk about having the opportunity to act opposite your cousin in these films?

SA: Working with Robbie is great. I’ve learned a lot. I used to get very much in my head when it came to acting. Then I saw Rob and he had this very practical approach and that’s helped me in my career a lot to try to emulate him a little bit.

MF: Robbie, what’s it been like for you making these movies with Stephen and sharing this experience?

RA: It’s awesome. I mean, there’s nothing better than working with family and friends and you always hope that you have chemistry with the person you’re working opposite. When it’s family, you know you have that. Steve, he knows how to get under my skin, but he also knows how to make me laugh and he can twist the knife better than anybody. We’re so lucky and it’s not only with Steve, but the entire crew is also back from part one for part two. Everybody takes a lot of pride and ownership in this movie, and I think that’s really the reason for its success.

MF: Robbie, can you also talk about the robot dogs you fight in the movie and were those done with practical or visual effects?

RA: So, Jeff and Chris, they do a ton of research before they start writing these movies. For this, there was a lot of looking at the Boston Dynamics and those dogs that have already been made. But there’s a lot of these YouTube videos about these incredible robotic dogs and they were like, “We got to use these.” It feels like it’s just around the corner. The dogs, when we were shooting, you had a guy in a green suit with a light on his head. We built a practical dog, but it couldn’t move and then sometimes there was nothing. So, you would do the scene multiple times and a lot of it is just for reference for our amazing visual effects company who then come in and put it in aftereffects. Our visual effects team is unbelievable, and they take so much pride and effort into what goes on screen.

MF: Stephen, what was it like working with director Jeff Chan and watching him execute his vision for this movie?

SA: Jeff is incredibly prepared. Rob was saying earlier that every scene that we do, he comes in with a very clear vision, but best idea wins. So, he’s a great director, works wonderfully with the actors. I can’t say enough good things about him.

Robbie Amell as Connor in 'Code 8: Part II.'

MF: Robbie, what was your experience like collaborating with Jeff Chan on set?

RA: I mean he’s really the driving force behind ‘Code 8.’ He lives and breathes it and he comes in like Steve said, so prepared, but he’s also very open and malleable to how it’s going to work on the day and the best way. He’s got no ego for a guy whose kind of built this from a short film to a Netflix sequel and the whole crew, the whole cast, we’re just very lucky. We got great people.

MF: Finally, are you open to the idea of making a ‘Code 8: Part III’?

RA: Hey man, if people turn out we’ll make a third one.

“Power corrupts.”

R1 hr 40 minFeb 28th, 2024

In a world where superpowered people are heavily policed by robots, an ex-con teams up with a drug lord he despises to protect a teen from a corrupt cop. Read the Plot

What is the Plot of ‘Code 8: Part II’?

The film centers around the 4% of people living in fictional Lincoln City who possess special abilities. It follows the journey of a teenage girl (Sirena Gulamgaus) fighting to get justice for her slain brother at the hands of corrupt police officers. After becoming a witness to the cover-up, she becomes a target and enlists the help of an ex-con (Robbie Amell) and his former partner-in-crime (Stephen Amell).