Chatting it up With THE Wes Bentley of Pete’s Dragon #PetesDragonEvent

Hey y’all hey! I’m back with another Pete’s Dragon exclusive! Have you taken the kids to see the movie yet? Trying to figure out what it’s really all about? Be sure to check out what my kids had to say here.

This time last week I was just coming off my high from walking the red carpet at Disney’s world premiere of Pete’s Dragon. Actually, who am I kidding? I’m still on a high (read all about it here). In addition to walking the red carpet, we got to interview a lot of the great talent from the film. So be sure to check out my interviews with Bryce Dallas Howard, and Oakes Fegley and Oona Laurence.

Today it’s all about Wes Bentley. Yup, we got to sit down in an intimate setting and chat it up with “Jack” from Pete’s Dragon. Wes Bentley is best known for his roles as Ricky Fitts in American Beauty, Blackheart in Ghost Rider, and Seneca Crane in The Hunger Games.

Wes Bentley #PetesDragon

From L to R: Sarah of www.SarahScoop.com, Ari of www.LovePeaceAndTinyFeet.com, Wes Bentley, Christine (Moi) of MomsNCharge.com, Keri Lyn of www.SheSaved.com and Karen of www.KouponKaren.com

If you didn’t know, this was Wes’ first Disney film. And this is what he had to share about his experience:

Oh, it was great! I’ve been a Disney fan since I was a kid. I was excited to be a part of a movie with them, especially because I have young kids. I wanted to do something that my kids could see while they’re young.  My son is going to be six in November and he’s coming with me to the premiere.  So it’s gonna be exciting.  He’s excited about that.  I don’t know how he’s gonna react seeing me, ’cause he’s seen, you know, images of me in a film but of course he’s never seen anything beyond a few words.  So this is the first film I’ve really been able to be like that.

Wes interviews with bloggers #PetesDragonEvent

Wes interviews with bloggers #PetesDragonEvent – Photo credit: Jana Seitzer / MerlotMommy.com

When asked how he became a part of this particular film (especially being that it’s so different from all of his other projects), here’s what he had to say:

Luckily was asked to be a part of the film.  I had met with David Lowery [Pete’s Dragon Director] on something else maybe a year or so before this came out.  Luckily, he really wanted me to be in this film and convinced them that I could play a nice Disney dad. Thankfully he did. [laughs]

I have to admit that Wes definitely played a great Disney dad! So you’ll have to watch the movie to see for yourself.

About working on this film, he said:

I haven’t been more excited.  It was everything I wanted to do, the direction I’ve been wanting to head in.  

HOLLYWOOD, CA - AUGUST 08:  Actor Wes Bentley arrives at the world premiere of Disney's "PETE'S DRAGON" at the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood on August 8, 2016. The new film, which stars Bryce Dallas Howard, Robert Redford, Oakes Fegley, Oona Laurence, Wes Bentley and Karl Urban and is written and directed by David Lowery, has been drawing rave reviews from both audiences and critics. PETE'S DRAGON opens nationwide August 12, 2016.  (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney ) *** Local Caption *** Wes Bentley

HOLLYWOOD, CA – AUGUST 08: Actor Wes Bentley arrives at the world premiere of Disney’s “PETE’S DRAGON” at the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood on August 8, 2016. The new film, which stars Bryce Dallas Howard, Robert Redford, Oakes Fegley, Oona Laurence, Wes Bentley and Karl Urban and is written and directed by David Lowery, has been drawing rave reviews from both audiences and critics. PETE’S DRAGON opens nationwide August 12, 2016. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney )

One question we had for Wes was whether or not he walked away from the film with more of a kid heart feeling? He  agreed that it definitely brought back childlike feelings of having that special imaginary friend.

You know, my imagination was really hyperactive as a child and animated you could say. I had those elements and so those things change as you live life and go through the hardships, which is why I love this film for everybody.  I feel like it can reawaken that feeling which you kind of hope for in a movie like this, right? 

I definitely had some kid moments and memories when I watched this movie. It was so fun to see how excited and into it my kids were as well.

Don’t forget to check out these free Pete’s Dragon activity sheets here, and get the deets on my red carpet experience here. If you missed my interview with Bryce Dallas Howard, you can check that out here. And of course, you can’t miss out on the interview I shared with Oakes Fegley (“Pete”) and Oona Laurence (“Natalie”).

Visit the official PETE’S DRAGON website here, and the official trailer for Pete’s Dragon here.

PETE’S DRAGON IS NOW OUT IN THEATERS NATIONWIDE. GO SEE IT TODAY!

For all of the latest, follow Pete’s Dragon on Facebook, Twitter (#PetesDragon), and Instagram.


Disclosure: On behalf of Disney, I was invited to attend an all-expense paid trip to cover the world premiere of Pete’s Dragon, as well as other press events. As always, all opinions are my own.

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13 Comments

  • Latoya @ Life and a Budget
    August 17, 2016 at 12:28 PM

    Okay, I obviously need to get with it because neither me or my daughter have heard about this movie. I suck when it comes to keeping up with stuff like this and usually only hear about good kid movies once they hit Netflix.

  • Stacie
    August 17, 2016 at 3:30 PM

    What a cool opportunity you received! My kids are older but my gbaby would probably want to see this movie.
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  • Preschool2teen
    August 17, 2016 at 9:53 PM

    I am really bad about keeping up with the new movies. My kids and husband know all about them. He takes them out on a date to see the latest movies. So, I will have to let them know about this one.
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  • Tanya Barnett
    August 18, 2016 at 2:37 PM

    I love it! I have teenagers so I will have to see if my brothers are taking their little ones to see it. How cool you got to be there!!

  • Joanna
    August 18, 2016 at 2:50 PM

    This movie looks so good. I remember the original. I know it’s nothing like this, but I definitely want to see it.

  • Tomiko
    August 18, 2016 at 3:29 PM

    My daughter and I must be behind because I haven’t even heard of this movie!! I will have to ask my daughter cause she is normally on top of movies and is begging can we? Can I? Will you take me? Please? So I will mKe sure age sees this
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  • Joanae King
    August 18, 2016 at 3:40 PM

    You just made me add this to my MUST SEE list with the kiddos. 🙂
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  • Allison Jones
    August 18, 2016 at 9:25 PM

    I love kids movies. The last one I saw was the Secret Life of Pets but this one is on my list now for sure.

    LiveLifeWell,
    Allison
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  • Kiwi
    August 19, 2016 at 1:45 AM

    So happy you and Ari was able to go. I love seeing my sistas going to more Disney events! I cant wait until I can go one day…they treat you all good!

  • Jaye
    August 19, 2016 at 10:11 AM

    I always love hearing some of the back story from actors on their projects. He seemed very excited about it. I have seen the movie advertised here but my wee one has moved to Mississippi but I know she would love it
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  • Jonna Scott-Blakes
    August 20, 2016 at 4:39 PM

    This is the part when I want to borrow somebody’s kid lol. Sounds like a really cute movie!
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  • Mimi Green
    August 20, 2016 at 8:39 PM

    Looks like you gals had a lot of fun. I’m so digging on Wes Bentley’s beard gang he has going on. I still need to take the Man-Child to see it.
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  • SenSaishaNal
    August 26, 2016 at 12:23 PM

    This movie looks so cute! I am definitely guilty of dragging my husband to children’s movies, maybe we’ll take his nieces as cover lol!

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