The PAW Patrol is on a roll in PAW Patrol: The movie, the animated movie event of the summer! When the patrol’s biggest rival, Humdinger, becomes Mayor of nearby Adventure City and starts wreaking havoc, Ryder and everyone’s favorite heroic pups kick into high gear to face the challenge head on.
While one pup must face his past in Adventure City, the team finds help from a new ally, the savvy dachshund Liberty. Together, armed with exciting new gadgets and gear, the PAW Patrol fights to save the citizens of Adventure City!
The film from Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies and Spin Master Entertainment introduces Will Brisbin in his first leading role as Ryder, leader of the Paw Patrol pups. In an exclusive interview with PopWire, the young Canadian actor discusses landing the coveted role and why you don’t have to be a kid to enjoy the movie.
After getting short-listed for a callback during auditions for the secret project, Brisbin and his family were flown to Toronto for the next round of auditions. It was a process the actor says was “sooo cool,” “great,” and “tons of fun!” After that, however, weeks had passed since hearing word from the team about their decision.
“Every morning I checked my mom’s email and listened to her voicemails just to make sure we didn’t miss a message,” Brisbin tells us. “Finally, we received the call that I had got the part of Ryder. I was so excited! I had so much energy, I must’ve run around my house a million times!”
Upon receiving the news that he landed the job, he had to remain tight-lipped and could only celebrate with his parents. He shares that aside from his parents, he was not allowed to tell anyone about being cast in the film, not even his younger siblings. “It was an amazing night regardless,” he says, “and I’ll never forget how happy I felt.”
Recording sessions for PAW Patrol: The Movie began in March, 2020 for Brisbin and concluded in February, 2021. Due to the global pandemic, plans for recording in Toronto had been scrapped, and instead, recording took place in a studio located in Alberta, Canada. The actor says that he had “so much fun” recording in the studio.
“There were a few surprises and aspects of the recording I did not expect,” he says. “I never heard any of the other characters’ lines while I was recording, it was just myself alone in the booth with the director beside me on Zoom. I had to say each of my lines over and over and over again and I had to do it differently every time. It was a challenge for sure but I feel like I really grew as an actor and I had an amazing time!”
Will explains that his character Ryder is the leader of the PAW Patrol. “He’s a very selfless and kind person. He’s fearless and caring and he’s always willing to do whatever it takes to save the people and the city!” Playing a character in a film that will be seen by many families with young kids hasn’t fully sunk in yet. “It sometimes feels almost like a dream! I just can’t believe my dreams are coming true in such a big way!”
Being a part of the worldwide PAW Patrol phenomenon is a pretty big deal. Coming into that franchise, Brisbin says it’s amazing. “It was a great deal of pressure as I had huge shoes to fill, but I did my research for the character and put my best foot forward so I could do the best performance possible. Paw Patrol is so beloved and the fans are amazing, so I know they will love this movie, it’s awesome!”
Though PAW Patrol: The Movie is targeted towards kids, the 85-minute film is for anyone and everyone. “The movie is an amazing action-packed family film that both parents and kids can enjoy!” Brisbin says. “It teaches great lessons about courage, friendship, and love. The stakes are high and the adventures are bigger.
“The movie is fun for all ages!” Will Brisbin continues. “It has a ton of funny jokes and cameos from some of your favorite celebrities.” Some of the all-star voice talents include Jimmy Kimmel, Kim Kardashian West, Dax Shepard, and Tyler Perry. “You don’t have to be a kid to love this movie, just a big kid at heart!”
PAW Patrol: The Movie is now in theaters and on Paramount+.
