There is an old saying in Hollywood that one should never work with children or animals – but it’s advice that Alyson Hannigan is glad she ignored before making Disney’s new family comedy Flora and Ulysses.
Based on Kate DiCamillo’s bestselling children’s novel of the same name, the film tells the story of 10-year-old Flora (Matilda Lawler) who finds an injured squirrel.
After Flora nurses the critter back to health, he is reborn as a superhero with an uncanny knack for helping people who have taken a few knocks in life – and Flora’s recently divorced mum Phyllis (Hannigan) is the perfect person to start with.
“It was a little nuts,” the 46-year-old star tells WHO of the movie set during a Zoom call from her home in Los Angeles.
“But I couldn’t have asked for a better co-star in Matilda. She’s so professional and incredibly talented.”
But Hannigan also admits she has a secret trick when it comes to working with kids.
“I always say to casting directors that they should have someone in the lobby watching the parents because that is make or break. They can be a nightmare,” the actress laughs.
“But Matilda’s were phenomenal.”
What attracted you to play Phyllis?
My family are big fans of the book so as soon as I heard Disney was making a film, my immediate reaction was yes!
How has the past crazy year been for you?
It’s been a roller-coaster and there are good days and bad days but we’re doing the best we can. I have two daughters [Satyana, 11, and Keeva, 8] so thankfully we have a big house and a big yard. My husband [Alexis Denisof] and I focused on just trying to make it a fun and calm time for them.
Have you taken up any hobbies during your time off?
Yes, the list is long! I’m a big crafter and started the pandemic by saying, “I’m going to start rock painting and do one every day.” But we dropped that after a few months as we were getting overrun with rocks. I’ve also just learned to crochet and plan to start yarn bombing all my trees.
You seem to work with some of the funniest people in Hollywood. Which former co-star is your celebrity bestie?
It goes through spells but right now I’m in a phase where I talk to my former Buffy the Vampire Slayer co-stars Felicia Day and Seth Green just about everyday. They are such fun.
Any chance you’ll be coming Down Under to film something soon?
I just need to get a job. My whole family would love to come to Australia. Satyana just did a school project on the Great Barrier Reef and she even tried Vegemite.
How did that go down?
It didn’t [laughs]. She had tears forming in her eyes and had to spit it out. She said it’s “really salty”, but good on her for trying.
(Flora and Ulysses is streaming on Disney Plus from Fri., Feb. 19)
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