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NBC’s “Younger Rock” returns to tv tonight and now we have an unique with one of many stars of the present, Uli Latufeku, earlier than the premiere.

Uli Latukefu Talks About Shifting “Younger Rock” Manufacturing From Australia To Memphis

When you’ve by no means seen the present earlier than, it is primarily based on the lifetime of certainly one of Hollywood’s BIGGEST stars, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and options Johnson as himself as he reminisces about among the greatest moments in his life.

Adrian Groulx performs “Dewey”, the kid model of Dwayne, whereas Bradley Fixed performs a teenage Dwayne and Uli Latukefu performs a younger grownup Dwayne, first navigating a university soccer profession after which ultimately becoming a member of the household enterprise: STRUGGLE. Joseph Lee Anderson performs The Rock’s well-known father, Rocky Johnson, whereas Stacey Leilua performs her mom, Ata Johnson, and Ana Tuisila takes on the position of her grandmother, Lia Maivia.

“Younger Rock” is humorous and heartwarming, excellent for households to look at collectively. The story additionally explores among the most tough instances Johnson and his household skilled as he made his technique to turning into the star we all know him at this time.

BOSSIP Senior Content material Director Janeé Bolden lately spoke with Uli Latukefu about NBC’s current transfer of manufacturing to Memphis after filming the primary two seasons in Australia, the place he beforehand lived.

“I feel being right here in America offers a totally completely different feeling to the present,” Latukefu advised BOSSIP. “Particularly me being from Australia, it places a distinct vitality into the present, so I find it irresistible. Memphis is a superb metropolis. Dewayne spent loads of time right here. It is form of neat to retrace his steps in locations he is truly been. The middle of Bruno, who was somebody Dewayne spent loads of time with when he was in Memphis, is right here. He involves the set. Even assembly him and listening to the tales from him is form of enjoyable.”

Whereas the opposite younger actors who play Johnson in “Younger Rock,” Bradley Fixed and Adrian Groulx, should not Polynesian (Fixed is biracial, with an African-American father and a white mom, and Groulx is Canadian, with a Caribbean background), Latukefu has a just like that of Johnson, whose maternal ancestry is Polynesian and the present does a wonderful job of incorporating components of their tradition.

“That is one thing I am not conversant in, when it comes to how underrepresented we’re right here in america,” Latukefu advised BOSSIP. “In Australia and New Zealand it is clearly extra frequent, however I am very happy with this present.”

“To start with, it is an important story,” Latukefu continued. “It is a correct rags-to-riches story and there is that layer of Polynesian tradition. Its stunning. Many individuals know us for being ocean navigators. Our ancestors sailed by way of the celebrities the most important ocean on the earth. It’s not a joke. That is us. They’re recognized for being warriors, however there are such a lot of layers to our people who I am actually glad we get to discover. It is quite common in wrestling, coming from Australia, I used to see Jimmy Superfly Snuka and King Haku, and King Haku is from Tonga, the place I am from. I was like ‘What?! Are we on TV? and now I am on TV, Stacey is on TV, Ana is on TV…”

Though Uli was already conversant in wrestling from watching it on TV, he advised BOSSIP that he by no means truly performed the game earlier than profitable his position in “Younger Rock.” Happily, his expertise as a rugby participant made it slightly simpler for him to study. Latufeku additionally obtained loads of steering from Chavo Guerrero Jr., who works with the solid to make the combat scenes actual.

“For me it was overwhelming as a result of Dwayne has a really particular fashion that individuals acknowledge in him,” Latufeku advised BOSSIP. “I began from scratch. We now have Chavo Guerrero who agrees with that. I grew up taking part in rugby. I take pleasure in it, I find it irresistible, and the individuals at my finish of the world, Dwayne’s finish of the world, the South Pacific, we love that stuff. We eat these issues. So for me, coming to do wrestling looks like second nature.”

What did not essentially come naturally are the real looking costumes that Latufeku and the opposite actors put on: very small compression shorts, which most individuals would casually check with as “booty shorts.”

“Man, pay attention, it is not simply carrying nearly nothing,” Latufeku advised BOSSIP. “It’s a must to run, have your legs turned on nothing. When you had any insecurities about his physique, you need to go. It is form of daunting as a result of you already know it is not simply the individuals within the room watching, it is hundreds of thousands of individuals. However yeah, you simply need to get on with the job.”

Talking of retaining issues skilled, the athlete-turned-actor credited Dwayne Johnson because the “consummate skilled” who has given him loads of recommendation at work. Latufeku and Johnson additionally lately labored collectively on the film ‘Black Adam’ which is presently in theaters.

“I do not wish to sound biased, however he is the consummate skilled,” Latufeku stated of Johnson. “He walks in, he does his job and treats everybody with respect. He treats everybody by acknowledging that his work is essential and he is tremendous enjoyable. He has an important humorousness. Working with him, that is the primary time loads of us have seen him, so it was form of a full circle second. That is the man, however that is the spirit that drives the whole lot he does and I really like him, he is like an enormous brother and he is completed loads for me. Us. We simply did ‘Black Adam’ collectively. Professionally talking, I might say that he’s positively a mentor.”

Uli additionally had loads of reward for his co-stars, who he says are all aligned on their goal on set.

“They’re like little brothers to me,” Latufeku stated of Bradley Fixed and Adrian Groulx. “It is actually humorous to me as a result of I watched the primary season the opposite day as a abstract of myself and Adrian was like a child and this season is like [mimics deep voice] ‘Hey, what’s up, guys?’ However I really like these guys, they’re like my brothers and I’ve seen them develop loads over the course of those three years.”

“Bradley, he is a sweetheart, he is very very similar to Dwayne, very near his mom,” Latufeku continued. “It is unlucky the way in which we have been filming, we will not spend a lot time collectively. They’re nice and Stacey (Leilua) and Joe (Joseph Lee Anderson), it is form of humorous as a result of he is youthful than me; he does an important job in that position, and Stacey, who performs my mother, is barely two years older than me, so she’s nearly like we’re extra mates than mother/dad, however it’s all household. All of us assume alike about this story, sure it is about Dwayne, however it’s additionally very a lot about everybody in his life, in order that’s the way in which we have approached it.”

The household bond that has grown on the set is obvious while you watch the present!

Be certain that to tune in to “Younger Rock” on NBC tonight at 8:30pm EST!