Starring Vanessa Hudgens and Josh Whitehouse, this cozy, holiday flick surrounds itself around a new kind of fairytale allowing audiences to believe in magic again when a medieval knight is transported from the 14th century to modern day Ohio. Sir Cole (Josh Whitehouse) learns what it means to sacrifice returning home in the name of love. “The Knight Before Christmas” premieres on Netflix on November 21.
The Knockturnal: Vanessa, Josh, you two had such great chemistry on-screen, how did you build that?
Josh Whitehouse: I mean I think it comes down to working with a pro, you know? Well first of all we made friends really quick and I feel like we got a good rapport. We were just having a laugh and enjoying ourselves ya know? And I felt very comfortable with your presence as an actress, actor, actress *laughs*
The Knockturnal: Yeah, did you guys no each other before?
Vanessa Hudgens: *Shakes head no*
The Knockturnal: Well, Vanessa, unlike most fairytales, this film flips the narrative that most women just simply want to be rescued. Why was that important for you to share that message?
Vanessa Hudgens: Because I think that Christmas movies and this one especially is one is the type of film that the entire family can sit down together where three generations can sit down together um and I think that it is almost 2020 and women– the story’s changing, ya know? We don’t need a prince to save us. We’re strong. We’re independent and it’s lovely to have a man around who is a gentleman and that you trust and treats you well and that you love. But that should be the standard. Like, he should be a knight… not a literal knight. He doesn’t have to be a literal knight but like I think you’ve gotta have all those boxes checked.
Josh Whitehouse: He should at least be able to time travel
Vanessa Hudgens: Exactly!
The Knockturnal: Well Josh, I heard that you went through great effort to prepare for this role with the dialect and everything. What was your process?
Josh Whitehouse: Well… I turned the whole script into an audio book. And I listened to that daily while exercising. I watched a bunch of films about knights, did some research on knights, I recorded the knights code, I listened to that most days and I just tried to really understand what it would be to be a knight. I felt like that was such a distant time for me as an individual so I felt like I just needed to research.
Vanessa Hudgens: Really?
Josh Whitehouse: Yeah, ya know!
The Knockturnal: This movie really did bring me so much joy and had so much magic in it. Are there any festive holiday plans that you guys are looking forward to?
Vanessa Hudgens: Being home and having time off. It’s not really that festive but I’m really looking forward to it.
The Knockturnal: Have you just been working so much this year you’re ready to relax and enjoy the holiday season?
Vanessa Hudgens: Yeah!
The Knockturnal: I heard, Josh, your armor was 80 to 100 pounds…
Josh Whitehouse: Yeah…
The Knockturnal: Okay, how did you do that?
Josh Whitehouse: Um… with a bit of back ache. *laughs* I just remember the first day I tried it on and I was like oh! This is actually pretty heavy. But I just got use to it to be honest and a couple of days of wearing it and I was like I’ll just keep it on ya know they’re offering to take it off in between takes and ya know it kind of… I got use to it.
The Knockturnal: Well thank you guys so much for sitting with me. I appreciate it and look forward to seeing you next time.
Vanessa Hudgens: Yay!
Josh Whitehouse: Thank you. So nice talking with you!
