Tyriq Withers, Marlon Wayans and Julia Fox open up about being a part of Universal/Monkeypaw Productions’ next surreal culture commentary film, Him.

Withers, a former college football star-turned-actor, plays lead character Cameron Cade, who wants to become the greatest of all time, even after a life-altering injury. Withers, who is biracial, said that he has been excited to be a part of the film in order to uplift new stories about the Black experience.

Tyriq Withers and Marlon Wayans’ on-screen dynamic

Wayans, who plays Cameron’s football idol, Isaiah White, said that he and Withers “dove into everything” that went into creating the movie.

“We dove into the characters, we dove into the training. We dove into the spirit of the movie, we dove into the director’s vision, we dove into each other in terms of big brother, little brother,” he said. “Instantly, I knew this was going to be special. It’s about assigning yourself to the greatness of the movie and playing your role as best as you can.”

Withers said, “I think for me, I walk with a certain level of privilege, being mixed…being Black and white, you know, I do have the white privilege, but to be cast into this role as quarterback and to be alongside somebody who I’ve looked up to my entire life as a leading man and getting to see him develop into the dramatic actor that I know he is, has been a dream come true. And I’m grateful that this story, is one that is about somebody chasing greatness because I think it transcends the football, but rather than the things that we have to go through to get there.”

Julia Fox on working with Marlon Wayans

Julia Fox, who plays Isaiah’s wife Elsie, gushed about acting opposite Wayans, calling it a “surreal” experience.

“I grew up watching his films, quoting them and referencing them. And I’ve gone to see him perform live at his comedy shows, and so to then be like working with him is just like, how did I get here? Like who f—-d up? How am I here right now? Like, this is crazy, you know?” she said. “And just to be able to share the screen with him just feels like definitely like bucket list-level s**t. For sure.”

Watch the full interviews above. Directed by Justin Tipping and Him is now in theaters.