In Double Trouble, when two quick-witted sisters suddenly find themselves entangled in a full-blown jewellery heist in Las Vegas, they must recruit a jaded security guard, survive bumbling henchmen, and thwart the mastermind behind it, all before their parents realise they’re missing. The movie opens in theaters this weekend.
The holiday movie's cast is headlined by Madeleine McGraw, Violet McGraw, Azizi Donnelly, Jack Griffo, and Andrew Koji, and we recently sat down for a conversation with Violet (who also executive produces the movie alongside her sister) and Jack.
In our exclusive interview, the pair opened up about everything from the fun of bringing this larger-than-life heist adventure to the screen and their favourite moments on set to the challenges of playing wildly different characters. Violet also reflected on working alongside her sister Madeleine and her growing ambitions behind the camera, while Jack discussed getting to show off his musical talents as a cocky, arrogant superstar.
We also hear from Violet on her time in the MCU and whether she's eager to reprise her role as a young Yelena Belova or perhaps join the X-Men cast. Jack, meanwhile, breaks his silence on playing Tim Drake/Robin in the animated Batman: Knightfall trilogy.
There's plenty more to discover in our conversation, including Violet's hopes of finally meeting Taylor Swift, Jack's desire to meet Eminem, and their favourite Double Trouble set pieces.
You can check out the full interview with Violet and Jack below.
Violet, I know this isn’t your first time working with your sister Madeleine, but what did you learn from each other while making this particular film, both in front of and behind the camera?
Violet: Oh, I just feel like I always learn so much just watching people, and then especially with my sister specifically. I don’t know if it’s just because I’ve been watching her work since I was so young, but there’s just something about seeing her prepare, going over our lines together, and just seeing her whole process that kind of teaches me something, which I find super cool. And whatever I learn, I always bring it on to the next film. So that’s kind of what I did with Double Trouble as well.
Jack, what was it that drew you to this project and the character? Was it the chance to obviously showcase some of your singing skills in a film?
Jack: Yeah, for sure. I think that was a big part of it. Honestly, man, it’s a hard time for actors in the industry, you know what I mean? And I’m blessed that I get work sometimes and I don’t have to get another job. But whenever you feel wanted on set, it’s such a… oh man, of course I’m gonna come do this, because there’s really nothing better than being on set, honestly. And for me, being a musician, the only thing I can compare to being on set is being on tour and playing music for new people every time. Those are the two best things in the world. And so, getting to… I knew right off the bat I was going to get to sing a little bit in the movie, so it was just no question. It was a yes, of course.
It’s got to be a lot of fun playing a superstar like Juniper as well?
Jack: It was a lot of fun. He was an interesting character to play and a really fun character. It’s always fun playing someone that is sort of a villain, as I am used to, because it’s so far off from who I am. I feel like I’m a pretty easygoing guy. So to get to have no judgment attached to being this really cocky, arrogant, famous guy, you really get to tap into the shadow self, as we call it in acting—the parts of yourself that are there, but you sort of filter those parts out because it’s not really acceptable in society. So you really get to just go for it.
Violet, part of the fun of a heist movie like this one is going to be the costumes, and obviously your character gets to dress as a chef at one point. So how much fun were the days like that on set for you?
Violet: Oh, so much fun. I think every single day it just didn’t feel like we were working. It kind of just felt like me and my sister were playing make-believe as we did when we were young. Every day was so much fun and just full of laughter.
You've been acting for such a long time already, but we’re now seeing you getting more involved behind the camera as a producer. So, having worked on this one in that capacity, is that something you see yourself doing more of in the future?
Violet: Absolutely. I definitely want to continue to do that for sure. It’s just super cool and interesting to see that side of things. And you just feel like you have more of a say and more of a voice on set, and I would love to do it more in the future.
You get to work with Andrew Koji as well. I imagine that must have been a lot of fun given the kind of character he’s playing in this movie.
Violet: So much fun.
Jack, going back to that larger-than-life quality of your character—when you’re playing a character like this, and you need to, as you said, inhabit that cockiness, how much fun is it for you to just let loose on set?
Jack: Oh my gosh. Yeah, like I was saying, it’s the best. Don’t get me wrong, I love playing a character that’s close to me as well, because you don’t really have to do much. You can kind of just be yourself and it leaves you open to being open and vulnerable. But also, it’s the dynamic opposite of playing someone that’s so far from you, because you don’t get to do that in your real life. And so it’s just a ton of fun. Right when I read the script, I was like, I know who this guy is. I’ve met this guy. And I had a pretty clear idea of how I was going to play this guy.
Violet, Willow is so desperate to meet Jack’s character, but do you have a personal hero you would try to sneak through a hotel to meet as she does in this film?
Violet: Oh my god, I would really do anything to meet Taylor Swift. I love her so much, and I’ve been a fan of her music for so long, and I’ve been so close to meeting her. There’s been like three times. I went to the Toy Story 5 premiere—I was so close to her. I went to her Eras Tour movie premiere—I was very close to her as well. And then I went to her tour, and I was so close to her. But it’s okay. I feel like it’s going to happen one day. It’s going to happen. This can’t happen three times and then us not meet one day. We are going to… It’s going to happen one day. Trust me.
I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed for you. How about you, Jack? Any personal heroes you would like to meet, as Willow does in the film?
Jack: Oh man. I’d love to meet Eminem. That would be so cool.
I love it. Two great answers there. And obviously this is such a fun holiday movie, but what did it mean to you both to star in a holiday movie and kind of add to that pantheon of Christmas films that people love going back to every year?
Violet: I just love Christmas films so much, and it felt very nostalgic for me because it kind of felt like one of those ’90s Christmas movies that my sister and I grew up watching. So getting to be a part of something like that for other families was super special and important.
Jack: Yeah, I agree. When you watch movies as a kid, it’s really a special part of the whole holiday cheer and family gathering—you know, we’re going to watch Home Alone, or you’re gonna watch whatever, maybe one you haven’t seen before. And so being a part of people’s Christmas is so special. I mean, it’s such a special time of year. And it sort of reminds me of the same kind of feeling I got when kids come up to me and say, "Oh my gosh, you have the best bedroom—Max Thunderman has the best bedroom." That’s how I felt about Drake and Josh’s bedroom. So to know that we’re doing the same thing for kids of this generation that was done for us, it’s just full circle, you know? And it feels really rewarding and special, and it makes it all worth it.
Violet, you played a young Yelena in Thunderbolts* and Black Widow. So would you like to return to that role, or maybe would you like to go back to another Marvel role? Obviously, with X-Men, they’re casting a lot of young actors for that franchise now.
Violet: Of course, easily. Yes, of course. Young Yelena was so much fun and didn’t feel real at all. Just to say I was part of a Marvel movie is insane. Of course, I would love to be a part of more.
Jack, you’ve returned to the DC universe recently as Tim Drake in Batman: Knightfall. The response to that film has been great. We’ve got a couple of sequels coming up. How’s it felt to inhabit that character that people have been so desperate to see for such a long time?
Jack: Oh my gosh, so great. I first played Damian Wayne a couple of years ago in Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons, and so kind of got my feet wet with one film. And then I got the audition to come back and do Tim Drake’s version of Robin. And man, it’s so… thanks for bringing it up. It really is like I’m so proud to be a part of that whole world, and especially it being a Batman-alone story instead of sharing it with Superman. It’s just much more gritty and cool, and I prefer it—and I can say that because it’s the same team. I much prefer it, and I get a lot of stuff to play with in the dialogue. And I’m really excited for people to see part two and three.
With a heist film, there’s going to be a lot of moving parts. So when you both read the script for the first time, was there a particular moment or set piece you couldn’t wait to do, or even just one you can’t wait for audiences to see when they sit down with the film?
Violet: I was very much looking forward to… when I read it, I was going to be sliding across olive oil while spraying a guy with peppermint whipped cream. I was surprised but excited to do it and try it, and it looked great, and it was super fun to film as well.
Jack: I think the fight in the hotel kitchen, for sure. I think that is a definite climactic point of the movie and for me a super memorable part of the movie. It was coordinated really well, executed very, very well, and I think it’s probably the most technically impressive part of the film that Andrew and the other actor just completely annihilated.
Just one final question for you, Violet. Obviously I mentioned Madeleine, your sister, before. What’s your favourite memory from the two of you getting to work on this holiday film together?
Violet: Oh my gosh. We had this scene where we were hiding in these laundry baskets… [it was] also funny, but it was a struggle to get out of the top, and that is a memory that has stuck in my head for the longest time.
Double Trouble opens in theaters on October 9.