Nimrods: Director Lee Kirk Talks Working with Green Day and Real-Life Wife, Jenna Fischer [SDCC Interview]

Nimrods is a new coming-of-age comedy film from director Lee Kirk. Kirk wrote the screenplay based on a story by the beloved punk rock band Green Day. The film stars Mason Thames (How to Train Your Dragon), McKenna Grace (Five Nights at Freddy’s 2), and more young talent. The cast is rounded out by many seasoned comedic actors. One such fan-favorite performer is The Office alum Jenna Fischer, who also happens to be Kirk’s real-life wife. During San Diego Comic Con in July, That Hollywood Show had the chance to talk with Kirk. He spoke about bringing Green Day’s vision to life, the movie’s special connection to Detroit Rock City, and what it was like to direct his wife.

Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road

Green Day was formed in the late ’80s by frontman and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong and bassist Mike Dirnt. In 1990, drummer Tré Cool rounded out the trio. After decades of releasing music, the band decided to make a movie inspired by their younger days. In Nimrods, which is named after the band’s fifth studio album, a teenage rock band believes Green Day wants them to open their upcoming show in LA. The youngsters embark on an unforgettable road trip filled with mishaps, romance, and good music. While speaking to Kirk, he talked about Green Day’s inspiration.

“What happened was Billy Joe had just one idea, which is he wanted to make a movie about kids going to see Green Day on a New Year’s Eve concert. That’s how it started, and so then Billy Joe and I started talking, ‘What could this story be? … Who are these kids, where are they from, what’s happening?’ And that’s how we came up with the idea of these kids who live in Kansas, driving across the country to get to a Green Day concert on New Year’s Eve.”

“And then I needed story,” Kirk continued. “I needed stuff to happen to these kids, and instead of sitting there in my room, just trying to invent things, I thought I’ll just ask [Green Day]. I’ll ask them about the crazy stuff that happened to them. So they would tell me stories, and I would take those stories and I’d, sort of, you know, fictionalize them for my story.”

“The idea of the movie is that it’s not Green Day’s story, but it’s got their fingerprints kind of all over it … I think the hope is that you watch this movie and you go, ‘I get who Green Day is,'” Kirk added.

Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go

If there’s one movie that has a lot in common with Nimrods, it’s the 1999 comedy, Detroit Rock City. Set in 1978, the film follows a group of teenage rockers who will stop at nothing to make it to a KISS concert. Nimrods has a great blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Detroit Rock City cameo. Warning: Mild Nimrods Spoiler Ahead!

Sam Huntington, who plays Jeremiah “Jam” Bruce in Detroit Rock City, makes a brief appearance in the new film. While chatting with THS, Kirk revealed he’s actually buds with Huntington.

“100%,” Kirk confirmed when asked if Huntington’s appearance was a purposeful nod to Detroit Rock City. “He’s actually a friend of mine. “I said, ‘Dude, I’m doing this movie. You got to be in it.’ It was so fun; he was great.”

So make the best of this test, and don’t ask why

Nimrods is not the first time Kirk and Fischer have worked together. The couple married in 2010, and she went on to star in his film The Giant Mechanical Man in 2012. He then cameoed in the Season 6 episode of The Office, “The Delivery: Part 2,” and directed the Season 9 episode, “Vandalism.” During Kirk’s interview with That Hollywood Show, he revealed what it’s like to direct his wife.

“It’s very easy,” Kirk said. “We have just an ease of communication between us. So it’s very simple, you know? … I had an idea what she was gonna do. She surprised me and did more. She brought so much to this role; I was so proud of her and so excited about the performance she gave. But it’s really simple for us to work together.”

It’s not a question, but a lesson learned in time

Nimrods stars Mason Thames, Kylr Coffman, Ryan Foust, Jenna Fischer, Angela Kinsey, Fred Armisen, Bobby Lee, Jolene, Keen Ruffalo, Ignacio Diaz-Silverio, Sean Gunn, Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, Tré Cool, and McKenna Grace. The film hits theatres on August 14th. You can watch our full Comic Con interview with director Lee Kirk below, and be sure to check out more of THS’ SDCC interviews.