ComingSoon Editor-in-Chief Tyler Treese spoke with Sweet Dreams stars Bobby Lee and GaTa about the upcoming comedy movie. The duo spoke about working together and alongside other talented comedians as well as their athletic abilities. The movie is set to release in theaters on April 12, 2024 and digitally on April 16, 2024.
“Forced into rehab at Sweet Dreams recovery center, Morris (Knoxville) struggles to confront the wreckage of his life,” reads the movie’s synopsis. “But when their house goes up for auction, he reluctantly agrees to coach their misfit softball team of recovering addicts to win a cash prize and prove that everyone, despite their past, can hit a home run.”
Tyler Treese: Bobby, you have some emotional scenes here. Sweet Dreams is a very raw film. There are a lot of great laughs, but this is dealing with real issues, and I know you’ve been open about your own addiction issues and being in recovery. How was it just getting involved with this film that has such a great message to it? How was that experience?
Bobby Lee: Well, for me, I got a call from Theo [Von], and he goes, “Hey man, Lije [Sarki, writer and director] is doing this movie.” So I got in contact with Lije and when I showed up, it felt like I was just going to a meeting, really. It felt different than other films in the sense that it wasn’t about me. I felt like I was doing some form of service work. It’s not your typical movie. I don’t know how much the movie cost to make, but it felt a little bit like not what I was used to, but no one complained.
Everybody was just in the pocket and, by watching it, I really thought that it was the best movie I’ve ever seen when it comes to this message. I felt authentic. I felt like the scenes between Jay [Mohr] and Johnny [Knoxville] were like … it felt like a sponsor/sponsee relationship, and I just felt like I was just blessed to be a part of it.
GaTa, your character is so much fun in this. He has himself together, but he is such a prankster. What did you like most about that character? Are you a bit like that in real life, or was this a fun thing to play up?
GaTa: Nah, I’m definitely like that in real life, you know? As positive and uplifting and serious as I am, you’ve still got to have that side where you can make people laugh. You could probably see what you can do, push it to the limit, and have some fun a little bit because, at the end of the day, I’m not perfect. So I had a great time doing this role and just being able to be myself, but also add a little seriousness to it. I got my s— together, like you said. But yeah, it was dope.
Bobby, you mentioned that Theo was the one who called you and got you hooked up with this project. How great was it working with him? He’s such a unique individual, so there couldn’t have ever been a dull moment.
Lee: Theo really impressed me in the movie because it was his first — I think — real film, you know? As soon as he did his first take, I was just like, “Oh my God.” It was really impressive. Theo and Chelcie Lynn — I think that was her first movie. And then it was the first time I saw Johnny really do that type of work. He was so good in the movie. I mean, he’s such a great actor. I was really just surprised by the whole project and it was great. [Laugh].
GaTa, you’ve done some really phenomenal work in Dave and you’ve worked with so many hilarious actors. What was most unique about this film? It has such a stacked room of comedians and I’m sure people were riffing constantly. What was most unique about this vibe on sweet Dreams?
GaTa: The most unique experience about working with these people is just working with the other actors that I worked with. Just seeing them for a long period of time, excelling in their careers, doing dope things. I was always hearing Bobby Lee’s name through Andrew Santino. Then finally meeting them.
It was inspiring, man, because I’m in my world, but in their world, they’re doing their thing, so be able to be next to them and learn from them was great, man.
Bobby, the baseball scenes are hilarious. Your character isn’t seen as being particularly talented at baseball. What was your background when it came to athletics and being on the field?
Lee: Well, I’m going to be honest with you, Tyler — in the film, it seems like I don’t know what I’m doing, but in real life, I think I was not the worst. I think Jon “Dumbfoundead” Park was the worst. But I think I was mid. It’s sad to think that people are going to see me as a bad athlete, but in real life, I’m very athletic. I’m very good.
GaTa, you were really great in Anyone But You, and we’ve really seen that film just get a whole life of its own. How has it been seeing that resonate so much with people and become a surprise hit?
GaTa: It’s dope man. You know what they’re saying — rom-coms are back. I was just happy to be a part of it. I never really saw myself being in a big box office movie that would gross over 200-something million, so just to be able to be a part of it, to add versatility to my resume and to do something that people don’t expect me to do, it’s an amazing feeling. And I think it gives me the credibility of saying, “Hey, I’m a dope actor.”
