Aubrey Plaza Breaks Free From Typecasting in Unpredictable Comedy ‘My Old Ass’
Time-Traveling Comedy "My Old Ass" Brings Twinned Elliotts to Life
In the new comedy, "My Old Ass", Maisy Stella and Aubrey Plaza play dual roles as Elliott, one as a confident teenager and the other as her older self. While the actresses don’t share an uncanny resemblance, director Megan Park sought something more meaningful than a superficial lookalike.
Casting for Chemistry
When first talking to Plaza, Park explained that she didn’t focus on mimicking each other’s mannerisms or looks. Instead, they focused on creating a chemistry and rapport between the twinned Elliotts. Park shares, "It wasn’t about trying to do an imitation of each other, but about this instantaneous connection." The pair’s natural sisterly vibe was helped by Plaza having younger sisters close to Maisy’s age and Stella having an older sister, which made their bond almost immediate.
The Film’s Ambiguous Time Travel Plot
The story takes a psychedelic turn when young Elliott accidentally trips on mushrooms, resulting in a meeting with her older self. The nature of time travel is ambiguous, leaving audiences wondering whether it’s real or all in her head. Either way, young Elliott faces challenges to her preconceptions, and Park desired Elliott to embody a particular energy.
Finding the Perfect Combination
Park had difficulty finding a young actress who embodied the desired mix of confidence, vulnerability, and optimism. Park remarks, "I wanted somebody who was very bright, cheery, optimistic, and sparkly – someone who was very loving, open, and kind of magical." Aubrey Plaza’s unique energy landed the role, making up for the initial struggle.
The Perfect Pair
Plaza’s casting may have been a bit tougher, but once the focus shifted from finding a perfect lookalike, things fell into place. Park recollects, "It was like, Who do we want to see sitting on that log together bantering and having that kind of rapport? Once Aubrey’s name came up, it was Oh shit, that makes perfect sense."
Time Traveling Comedy
With Aubrey Plaza’s cameo adding a new layer of humor, "My Old Ass" is now out in select theaters and expands nationwide on September 27th.
