Billy Crystal and John Goodman Talk Monsters, Brotherhood and College Life at Monsters University #monstersuevent

“I think Sulley really, really needs Mike Wazowski,” says John Goodman

Recently, I attended a press conference with Billy Crystal and John Goodman, who are both reprising their roles in the highly-anticipated summer prequel, MONSTERS UNIVERSITY. In this CGI-animated film, Billy Crystal is the voice of Mike Wazowski, a college kid vying to be accepted in the prestigious Scarer Program at MU. John Goodman plays John Sulley, a monster from a long line of scarers, who’d rather hang in the hallways than attend classes.

Although the room was jam-packed with bloggers and press, Crystal and Goodman instantly took command of the room and made every blogger feel special. =)  When asked about a nearly 10-year gap between making Disney/Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. in 2001 and now the follow-up MONSTERS UNIVERSITY, Crystal says it was a matter of storyline refinement. He says that during Goodman’s 50 the two actors were approached by some of the original writers about a follow-up. From there, a 10-year process began of studying all of the best sequels to ensure the storyline would be great. Both actors are overly excited about the results of the final script.

“I think Sulley really, really needs Mike Wazowski,” says Goodman. “It makes him complete. They learn how to adapt, how to let go of their preconceived notions of themselves, and of the world. They’re good for each other,” Goodman explains. Both Crystal and Goodman said they enjoyed having Dan Scanlon helming, as a director who gave new energy and blood to the project. Crystal also enjoyed reuniting with his onscreen best friend. “I love this guy to play {Mike}, and playing it with John is phenomenal because we work together in the studio, and we can act together. We’re not just reading lines; we’re performing them, and we’re playing them, and we feel them. I think that’s why their relationship on onscreen is really great because it’s a real thing,” Crystal says.

Although Crystal and Goodman offered plenty of sidesplitting humor during the interview, both also reflected momentarily on their college yesteryears. Crystal admits to “feeling out of place.” He initially attended NYU as a film-directing major with Dr. Martin Scorcese as his student-professor. Crystal says this choice of a major was opposite his true desire of going into acting and comedy. Crystal says Mr. Scorsese was intense, and with classmates such as Oliver Stone and Christopher Guest, Crystal says his heart and passion just wasn’t into directing others. So, like his character Mike in MU, he did feel lost and constantly struggling to “make the grade.”

“Mike has a dream, and the dream may not work out, and then he has to readjust and recalibrate. In this movie, they find out who they are, and that’s the most important element, Crystal explains.” Goodman concurs. He agrees that a college setting is the ideal environment for self-development and discovering your true talents. Goodman explains of his own Southwest Missouri State University experience, “I was lost, treading water, trying to find my way. I didn’t really know what I wanted until I found acting in a theater department. And then, it just turned out. Everything fell into place, and I had a passion about something.”

As for the star-studded cast of MONSTERS UNIVERSITY, both Goodman and Crystal feel lucky to be cast in the film along with Dame Helen Mirren, as well as Steve Buscemi, Alfred Molina, Bonnie Hunt, Frank Welker, and Charlie Day. I thoroughly enjoyed this film, and recommend it for children ages 6 and
up. I especially believe older kids, teens, and young adults will find this film significant; for they are all searching to find meaning in their lives.

MONSTERS UNIVERSITY releases in theaters on June 21st!

* We did not receive monetary compensation or product for this post.