A conversation with…

The stars from “Hot Tub Time Machine 2”

A typical road trip weekend consists of partying, hooking up and going wild. However in 2010, four friends—Adam (John Cusack), Lou (Rob Corddry), Nick (Craig Robinson) and Jacob (Clark Duke—discovered a new level of awesome: a hot tub time machine.

After violating the laws of space and time and taking matters into their own hands by using previous knowledge from the future to create a most excellent alternate reality, the gang reopens their poolside appliance in hopes of having another incredible adventure together. Unfortunately, their hopes start to bubble away as they find themselves in 2025, where each has found himself in a pretty destitute condition.

Aimed with the intention of correcting their past—which is really their future—to make sure that their present—which is in the past—actually turns into a better future, the gang traverses time in this outrageous comedy sequel.

Hot Tub Time Machine 2  | Paramount Pictures
Hot Tub Time Machine 2 | Paramount Pictures

I had an opportunity to learn about the gang, now consisting of Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson, Clark Duke and newcomer Adam Scott to find out what we should expect in this upcoming release. Hilarious, angelically insightful and oh so unpredictable, these comedians had some inspiring answers. Here’s what they had to say:

Craig, are we going to get to hear you on Hot Tub Time Machine 2?
Yes, yes you’re going to get to hear me. As a matter of fact, if you check the trailer, you might see me sing a little Lisa Loeb. So yes, I will be reprising that. We have several things that paid homage to the original, and that’s one of them.

How is the attitude on the set different this time, considering it was your second go with the same character from the story?
Rob: It was no different. It was the exact same, which was really comforting and fun and made it an easy work environment. The difference was [that] we were in New Orleans, so there were a few more parties.
Clark: It was cold.
Craig: [We were in] New Orleans [at] the height of the summer. And so you know, alcohol and heat.

What do you all believe is the main draw for the concept of a Hot Tub Time Machine, and if you could have used another household appliance in place of the hot tub as a time machine, what would it be?

Rob: Dishwasher time machine.
Clark: I would say an espresso time machine.
Adam: Yes, a washing machine…a combo washing/drying time machine would be a good one.
Craig: Refrigerator all day. You could actually fit in it; like you can’t fit in the dishwasher.
Adam: Side-by-side refrigerator time machine?
Clark: How about a soda stream time machine?
Craig: Oh, yes.
Rob: The refrigerator time machine kills a lot of toddlers though.
Clark: A chaser/mixer time machine?

If you had a time machine, which time period would you want to go to?
Rob: I’d want to go to the Renaissance because of the clothing, and the death penalty was kind of flagrantly, you know, thrown around—like casually thrown around. And, I feel like there’s a real freedom, it’s liberating.
Adam: I feel like I’d go back to any point in time that dueling was allowed, so yes, the Renaissance era, definitely.
Rob: Yes, full dispute with a gentleman in powdered wigs shooting each other would solve a lot of problems. “Barry Lyndon” is a perfect example.
Clark: I would go back and be on “Soul Train.”
Craig: I don’t want to go anywhere; I feel too comfortable here.
Adam: Yeah, we live in the moment, man.
Rob: Yes!
Adam: Ever hear of the word “now?” That’s where we live.

How much freedom was there on set in regards to improv and rifting?
Rob: For us every word, every vision, every person is to be honored.
Clark: Steve Pink allows us to play around, and he encourages it. Everybody is pitching jokes to each other, so [for] the first “Hot Tub [Time Machine],” there was barely a script; it was like we would come and we would say, “OK, we’re doing the scene in the ski lodge,” and then we kind of improvised it. I mean, the first one had a script, but we really did a lot of heavy improv. This one was a little more solid, except we got to play around a lot.
Craig: Neither film had a written ending, no joke.
Adam: That’s the way to do it; all the great films have no ending. “Godfather” I, II and III, no ending!