Young Cast of 'Brian' Reflects on Improv, Adolescence

The ensemble of the coming-of-age film discuss their collaborative experience bringing the script to life.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 12:16am

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An abstract, minimalist illustration featuring bold, jagged geometric shapes in high-contrast red and white, conceptually representing the themes and ensemble cast of the coming-of-age film 'Brian'.The young ensemble cast of the SXSW film 'Brian' bring a collaborative, improvisational energy to their grounded portrayal of adolescence.Austin Today

In the week leading up to the premiere of 'Brian' at the SXSW Film & TV Festival, the young cast members discussed their collaborative experience bringing the script to life through improv and drawing on their own adolescent experiences. The film's director, Will Ropp, encouraged the ensemble to have a voice in the creative process, resulting in a vibrant and grounded portrayal of high school life.

Why it matters

The cast's insights shed light on the film's relatable themes of adolescence, social awkwardness, and personal growth, which are likely to resonate with the college-aged audience the film is targeting. Their comments also highlight the value of a director fostering a collaborative environment on set, allowing the actors to authentically shape their characters.

The details

The film's lead actor, Ben Wang, noted that he channeled his own past experiences to embody the socially awkward and impulsive title character. Other cast members, such as Joshua Colley and Peyton Elizabeth Lee, appreciated the creative freedom to improvise and bring more naturalism to their roles, in contrast to their previous work on more fantastical Disney projects. Even supporting actors like Jacob Moskovitz felt empowered to push the boundaries of their characters through experimentation on set.

  • The film 'Brian' premiered at the SXSW Film & TV Festival in 2026.
  • The cast members were interviewed in the week leading up to the film's premiere.

The players

Ben Wang

The actor who portrays the title character, Brian, a socially awkward high school junior who decides to run for student body president.

Joshua Colley

The actor who plays Justin, Brian's new friend and campaign manager.

Sam Song Li

The actor who plays Kyle, Brian's confident and cool older brother.

Jacob Moskovitz

The actor who plays Teddy, the incumbent class president that Brian campaigns against.

Will Ropp

The director of 'Brian', making his directorial debut.

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What they’re saying

“It felt very young, very youthful, very [much] like we all had a voice in what was being made. And I think that takes a very good director to make everyone feel that way and still keep everything under control.”

— Joshua Colley, Actor

“The interesting thing about [Brian] is that when I was playing him, I felt that I was sort of embodying an earlier, totally awkward and acerbic version of my own self.”

— Ben Wang, Actor

“I feel like I brought a lot of myself to the character of Justin... like life is so unserious to me sometimes, and I think Justin kind of views it similarly, and why not lead with kindness?”

— Joshua Colley, Actor

“It's kind of rare to be able to just have that much fun and have the chance to kind of go off the rails and really improv.”

— Sam Song Li, Actor

“I think one of the great things about starting a career on Disney, like Josh and I both did, is you are immediately welcomed into this audience of young people. So getting to create new things for those same people that have been supporting your career all this time, I think, is really special.”

— Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Actress

What’s next

The film 'Brian' is currently seeking nationwide distribution after its premiere at SXSW 2026.

The takeaway

The collaborative, improvisational approach taken by the 'Brian' cast and director resulted in a grounded, relatable portrayal of high school life that is likely to resonate with the film's target audience of college-aged viewers who are navigating their own transitions into adulthood.