Kyle Mooney Reveals How ‘Y2K’ Pulled Off Its Most Outrageous Moments, From That ‘Thong Song’ Performance to Fred Durst’s Epic Sing-Along

As a huge fan of ’90s culture and music, I was absolutely thrilled to see Fred Durst playing himself in this movie! It’s not every day you get to work with an icon like him, and his performance was even better than I could have ever imagined. The way they incorporated his music into the film was genius, and it really added to the overall nostalgic feel of the movie.

SPOILER ALERT: This story contains spoilers for “Y2K,” out now in theaters.

At precisely the stroke of twelve on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2000, there was a collective pause around the globe. The question that hung heavy in the air was: Would the global computer network, ill-prepared for the new millennium, simultaneously fail and bring about widespread disorder?

Thankfully not.

As a die-hard movie fan, I must express my excitement about Kyle Mooney‘s wild directorial debut, “Y2K.” This film humorously explores the darkest possibilities from an era that once filled us with dread – the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve in 1999. Produced by A24, this horror-comedy, which I had the pleasure of contributing to both as a writer and actor alongside Evan Winter, tells the thrilling tale of two socially awkward teens who blunder their way into a New Year’s Eve party, only to find themselves battling for survival as the world’s electronic devices spring to life in a violent, gruesome rampage.

Stars Jaeden Martell and Julian Dennison, born in the new millennium, needed to catch up on certain intricate references to 1990s life, such as the well-known “Herbal Essences Girl” and Tae-Bo workout videos. Although the cast primarily consists of Gen Z members like Rachel Zegler, Lachlan Watson, and Daniel Zolghadri, the film accurately portrays the Y2K era – with a little assistance from ’90s icon Fred Durst, who plays himself in the production.

Below, Mooney, Martell and Dennison break down the film’s most outrageous moments for EbMaster.

Hey Julian, I loved your rendition of “Thong Song” in the movie! Could you share with us how you prepared for that number, and were you familiar with the tune prior to the performance?

Julian Dennison: No, not at all. Did you guys know it was ‘The Thong Song’ right away?

Kyle Mooney: I believe there was another tune at the start of the script. Although it might seem cheesy, I genuinely think whatever we finally get is what we were meant to have in the end. And ‘Thong Song’ just seems fitting.

Dennison: I took a few brief dance lessons and then played the song repeatedly. I even burned it onto a CD and had a small CD player. During filming, it was fantastic. I felt at ease singing it. I kept an eye on Jaeden, who was ensuring I was alright.

Mooney: You were getting rounds of applause!

Jaeden Martell: Occasionally, I wasn’t in front of the camera, which meant I didn’t have to stay throughout the entire shoot. Frankly, I didn’t fancy listening to that song a thousand times. I found it fascinating observing him, but I’d retreat to video village, and people would exclaim, “Oh my goodness, are you watching this?” Everyone on set was singing it for weeks on end. It left quite an impression.

I was pretty shocked that Danny died so early in the film. Why was that so important to the story?

I’m constantly captivated and thrilled by navigating sharp turns, especially when a theater-goer reacts with surprise, such as “Wow, I didn’t anticipate that!” It’s unfortunate that Julian created Danny as the most adored character in existence, but it serves as the foundation for the rest of the film, and it shapes Eli’s character and the entire narrative that unfolds. Essentially, we were intrigued by exploring unconventional paths to some extent.

Martell seems to suggest that the character’s death was unexpectedly impactful, to the point where it became too heart-wrenching for viewers. He implies that the character, played by Julian Dennison, was designed to be appealing and likable, and his demise left many viewers emotionally attached, wishing he were still part of the story instead of being in heaven.

Mooney: Well, Danny pops back in – actually, his spirit. He’s like a force ghost.

A few months down the line, following the filming, towards the very end, there’s this additional scene during credits where you witness his spectral force, celebrating with mechanical ladies. I recall receiving that call as if someone said, “Dude, they simply can’t get enough of Danny!

Our aim is to make you laugh, perhaps even cause a jump or shift in your seat due to something eerie, and ideally bring a tear to your eye. If we manage to achieve all these reactions simultaneously, that would be a complete success.

Fred Durst plays himself in the film. Why was he the right ’90s icon for this movie?

Mooney expresses: I’m stumped about the answer. Originally, Evan, my co-writer, proposed him as a character during our initial brainstorming session for this idea. As we developed the screenplay, we came up with other potential characters: “But if Fred isn’t available, who else fits?” However, no one seemed to embody all the necessary qualities quite like he did. He is deeply associated with that period in history and might even be timeless. With his distinctive hat and numerous other iconic elements, he perfectly encapsulates that era. Luckily, we approached him first, and he was open to the role. Not only that, but he delivered an outstanding performance. We were pleasantly surprised, exclaiming, “Wow, this is even better than we anticipated!

I was surprised by Fred Durst’s acting skills! Was it difficult to persuade him to perform that “Faith” duet at the end of the movie?

As a passionate film aficionado, let me share my experience. Prior to getting the green light, we had not one, but two discussions. There were indeed dialogues regarding certain aspects, and one of them was about the specific number. Before moving forward, we had already pre-recorded the track. At that moment, I suggested he might want to project his singing a bit more powerfully. His response was firm: “I’ll do it my way.” And with all due respect, I wholeheartedly agreed!

Hey Jaeden, could you describe your experience of having a romantic scene with Rachel Zegler’s character, Laura, inside a portable restroom, while also getting covered in waste? How did that feel for you?

Martell: It was delightful! Quite relaxing. Not the least bit terrible – it even smelled wonderful! It was a tad confined and chilly, but it was enjoyable all the same! I’ve got nothing to grumble about.

Throughout the movie, Eli and Rachel grew a lovely relationship. Can you tell me about how your bond with Rachel evolved?

Martell: Our relationship evolved much like a movie plot – not that I was infatuated with her or she disregarded me! Yet, gradually, we grew progressively closer. To put it simply, Julian and I found an instant connection, which might have been overbearing for some. Similarly, Lachlan [Watson] and Rachel were inseparable during filming, providing plenty of laughter on set. They are an amusing duo indeed. However, our bond deepened significantly over time. She’s a sweet soul, one of the most diligent individuals I’ve ever encountered. Her heart is pure, and she possesses extraordinary talent – that much is clear. It was a delight to witness this friendship blossom throughout the production, culminating in a strong bond by the end. Furthermore, we filmed the scenes sequentially, which provided a smooth narrative arc that unfolded naturally within real-time.

Is it your belief that one of the statements from the film you enjoy most, “The internet was designed for sharing data indiscriminately, propagating malicious rhetoric, and simulating intimate encounters,” remains accurate in today’s online world?

Much of what I said then remains valid. The bogus sexual encounters we were mocking primarily involved entering chat rooms and engaging in cyber sex with strangers, which has undoubtedly changed and taken on a different form now. However, it’s clear that there’s still a great deal of hostility online. While the internet wasn’t designed for this, I believe most of what I said about its current state remains accurate.

This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

2024-12-08 02:17

Kyle Mooney Reveals How ‘Y2K’ Pulled Off Its Most Outrageous Moments, From That ‘Thong Song’ Performance to Fred Durst’s Epic Sing-Along

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