WithCHIPSopening this weekend, I recently sat down withKristen Bellfor a wide-ranging video interview. With Bell married to directorDax Shepard, we talked about their working relationship, why he writes away from home, how early on he shares the script, why they tend to cast their friends, if she’s involved in the editing process, her unusual work schedule, and more. In addition, she talked aboutThe Good Place, getting ready to film the second season, the status ofFrozen 2and why Disney isn’t rushing to crank out a sequel, her video game history and her love of the N64, and theBad Momssequel.
If you’re not familiar withCHIPS, it’s a feature film adaptation of the TV series of the same name. Dax Shepard wrote, directed, and stars in the action comedy as Jon Baker, who was played byLarry Wilcoxin the TV series that ran from 1977 to 1983. He’s joined onscreen byMichael Peñaas Frank Llewelyn “Ponch” Poncherello, played byErik Estradain the TV show, and the story finds the two partnered up as officers of the California Highway Patrol. Baker is a beaten-up professional motorbiker who’s looking to put his life back together, while Ponch is an undercover Federal agent investigating a heist that may or may not be an inside job. The film also starsAdam Brody,Jessica McNamee,Ryan Hansen, andVincent D’Onofrio.
Check out what Kristen Bell had to say in the video above and below is a list of what we talked about followed by the CHIPS official synopsis.
Kristen Bell:
Here’s the official synopsis forCHIPS:
Jon Baker (Shepard) and Frank “Ponch” Poncherello (Peña) have just joined the California Highway Patrol (CHP) in Los Angeles but for very different reasons. Baker is a beaten up pro motorbiker trying to put his life and marriage back together. Poncherello is a cocky undercover Federal agent investigating a multi-million dollar heist that may be an inside job—inside the CHP.
The inexperienced rookie and hardened pro are teamed together, but clash more than click, so kickstarting a partnership is easier said than done. But with Baker’s bike skills combined with Ponch’s street savvy it might just work…if they don’t drive each other crazy along the way.
