GAYLE KING:
00:00:00
Gabrielle Union, we're happy to say, is live and in color in the studio. Good to see you, Mrs. Wade. It's good to be back. But you know what was so fun about this movie? We were talking about it because Jett is so big and hulky. And then I picture you just so sophisticated in the way you move. For me, I had to, in my mind, go, that's Gabrielle Union, Gabrielle Union. Was it a switch for you the way the character looks and the way you look? And I know it's called acting, but was it a switch for you?
GABRIELLE UNION:
00:00:25
It is because she's a large cat.
GAYLE KING:
00:00:27
Yes. And I'm a dog person. So just how she moves and just as a bigger entity taking up a different amount of space, the more guttural sounds that still have to sound like a cat while still emoting and doing every twist and turn of Jett's life. Very much of a challenge, but I studied my husband. And I studied Bron. I studied Teresa Weatherspoon on stage. And I tried to get a lot of how they play, how they had to play bigger than they were.
GAYLE KING:
00:01:03
Yes. What was the pitch that drew you into this role? That she got to be the best one ever. Jett's the GOAT. Jett is depending on your generation. She could be your MJ. She could be your LJ. I wanted to be the best. Her body is breaking down. Inside, she's like, oh, I'm the best. And her body's like, well, hold on, girl. Like a lot of athletes, who are used to being able to play at a very high level, sometimes your body betrays you. Father Time is undefeated.
NATE BURLESON:
00:01:31
Of course. And she's at that crossroads where people are starting to openly question her ability to lead, and dominate. And enter Will, an actual goat. Yeah. And he's got a different set of skills.
NATE BURLESON:
00:01:45
A little. He's a little. He's a little, they call him. Listen, this movie, I believe is an instant classic.
GAYLE KING:
00:01:51
Yeah, it's fun. I ran downstairs, and I told my daughter-- I said, we have to go to the theater. It is going to be one of those movies that lasts a long time. And your fierceness that you walk around with every day was captured perfectly in this character. I just had to say all that. But this also is a movie that covers a lot of themes. This isn't just a fun, happy go lucky hoop movie. Why is that important to make sure we blend the both worlds of animation, but also real life issues and content that people are dealing with? I think in today's world, so many of us feel like underdogs. We're creating underdogs daily with the economy the way it is and people struggling. And you feel like your life is going to be small, your dreams are limited. And this movie is about not letting anyone or anything put a ceiling on your dreams. Anyone is capable of greatness. Anyone is capable of being the GOAT as long as you believe in yourself. And that's what I love about this character of Will. Will is so eternally optimistic. And even when the chips are down--
GAYLE KING:
00:02:52
And everybody is against him--
GABRIELLE UNION:
00:02:54
He doesn't lose that hope.
VLADIMIR DUTHIERS:
00:02:54
That's right. He never loses hope. He always believes in himself.
GAYLE KING:
00:02:57
Yes.
VLADIMIR DUTHIERS:
00:02:57
Speaking of greatness, your man, Dwyane Wade is a co-star in this film. You have done another animated film together. Any chance we might see the two of you in a non-animated film?
GAYLE KING:
00:03:08
Wouldn't we like that, Vlad? Wouldn't we like that? Wouldn't we like that, America? A romantic comedy, perhaps?
VLADIMIR DUTHIERS:
00:03:14
Yes, perhaps. Wouldn't that be amazing?
GABRIELLE UNION:
00:03:15
I mean, maybe it's already happened. I don't know. Nate Burleson: Say what? I don't know if you're going to have to wait too long, but I--
VLADIMIR DUTHIERS:
00:03:22
OK, Gabrielle Union. I love working with him. I certainly like kissing him, so I mean, you never know.
GAYLE KING:
00:03:28
I love the two of you together. They just had something on Instagram recently. It's so, so good to see your relationship, and the fun you have, and your baby daughter that you have together. It's just a fun watch for all of us. Are you two as competitive as you are in this movie in real life? Well, we had posted over Christmas, we decided to play those Christmas games that everyone plays. We're all competitive. I'm very competitive. He is very competitive. And so is Kaavia. And my little sister is like, I don't care who wins. I just want to win some sunflower seeds because that was the prize, sunflower seeds and Yo-Yo. Yeah, they go big. Yeah.
GAYLE KING:
00:04:04
The other thing about the movie, half the fun too-- I don't know if you guys noticed this-- figuring out the voices. I heard Steph Curry. Steph Curry did a good job in there. Steph did great. Yeah, so the cast that you have was also fun in this movie.
NATE BURLESON:
00:04:16
Angel Reese.
VLADIMIR DUTHIERS:
00:04:17
Angel Reese.
GAYLE KING:
00:04:18
Yeah, talk about that, Gabby.
GABRIELLE UNION:
00:04:19
I mean-- OK, so my favorite character is Mane played by Aaron Pierre.
NATE BURLESON:
00:04:26
Scary. It's a way we've never heard Aaron Pierre.
NATE BURLESON:
00:04:28
It's true. That is true.
VLADIMIR DUTHIERS:
00:04:30
When I saw it was him, I was like, no, that cannot be Aaron Pierre because it doesn't sound like him at all. Jenifer Lewis, good character too. Yes. When you hear Jennifer's voice, you're like, Ms. Jennifer. Yes. but Jennifer Hudson, she has a really special role in this, Nick Kroll, Patton Oswalt-- Patton--
GAYLE KING:
00:04:51
And Gabrielle Union.
NATE BURLESON:
00:04:53
Gabrielle Union. Thank you so much. You got another classic on your hands. Goatwill be in theaters February 13. As Gayle says, run. Don't walk. I'm serious. It is an amazing movie.
