Preschool Stars Josh Duhamel & Michael Socha Talk School, Offending Disney & DC’s Two-Face [Exclusive]

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Alan (Josh Duhamel) and Brian (Michael Socha) are devoted fathers who both want their children to get into a highly-regarded preschool in London. When only one spot remains, the two families find themselves in a hilarious competition. Directed by and starring Duhamel, Preschool shows the dads going to extreme lengths – including bribery and even sabotage (think spider infestations!) – to secure the coveted position for their kids.

In a recent interview with ComicBook, stars Duhamel and Socha discussed the challenges of school applications, disastrous auditions, funny fights, and the character of Harvey Dent. You can watch the trailer for their new comedy film now on digital platforms.

CB: This feels like a movie you could sit down and watch with your family.

I definitely aimed for that. My previous directing projects weren’t necessarily ideal for family viewing, but I still wanted to be bold. This movie is rated PG-13, and we stretched the boundaries at times. Directing this film was a huge undertaking, completely taking over my life. Having such a talented cast, crew, and editor made it all worthwhile. I’m excited to finally share it with everyone.

Guys, did this topic resonate with you personally? Have either of you felt the stress of trying to get one of your children accepted into a particular school?

I recently experienced this firsthand with my own kids, who are two and twelve years old, so this movie really hit home for me. I was surprised it hadn’t been made before, because the pressure to get kids into competitive schools starts incredibly early – even in preschool – particularly in cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Toronto. It’s actually quite humorous when you take a step back. I think this movie will help parents caught up in this stressful process realize how extreme things have become. The goal was to offer some perspective and help people focus on what truly matters.

Every parent wants their child to be in a supportive and happy school environment. I believe that if a child is motivated to learn, they’ll find a way to succeed, no matter the school. My own school was quite chaotic, but some students still thrived academically – though I wasn’t one of them! Ultimately, it’s about finding something they enjoy. If they’re passionate about it, great. If not, we can explore other options. It sounds harsh, but we didn’t have much opportunity for arts education. We could choose one – drama, music, or dance – but what if we loved them all? Most schools don’t prioritize creativity unless you can afford expensive private education, which isn’t an option for many families. I think it’s best to let kids pursue what genuinely interests them, and if something isn’t working, we can find a different path.

So, the actors playing the characters are constantly trying to outdo each other in the movie, which is fun to watch! It got me wondering, are they as competitive with each other off-screen as their characters are in the film? I’m always curious about the dynamic between actors and if some of that playful rivalry makes its way into their performances.

I definitely consider myself competitive. You really need to be in this industry to survive, or it will overwhelm you. So yes, I am a competitive person, and maybe sometimes I take it too far.

Socha: I am not. If I think I am good at something, then I am competitive. I am and I am not.

This film really struck me as a reflection of Hollywood itself. It captures that intense pressure – that scramble for just one remaining opportunity, like a child trying to win a competition. It’s so similar to how actors audition, constantly vying for that dream role. It actually got me thinking – have you ever gone to extraordinary lengths just to land a part?

I once tried a joke during an audition – it was inspired by a scene from a Disney movie, and I thought it would be funny. Unfortunately, it was a bit inappropriate and completely flopped. The casting director didn’t like it at all and told my agent they didn’t want to see me again. I guess sometimes you have to take chances, and this was one that just didn’t pay off.

There’s a really funny fight scene between you two. Can you describe filming it and how you made it so enjoyable to watch?

We practiced the fight scene, aiming for realism. We both agreed these characters weren’t skilled fighters – it wasn’t going to be a flashy, Hollywood-style brawl. They were just two ordinary guys who shouldn’t be fighting at all. We enjoyed working out what might happen, but on the actual shoot day, time was tight, so we had to be quick and make sure we hit the key moments we’d planned. It wasn’t a heavily choreographed fight, as you probably noticed. But there were a few memorable moments – like when you kneed me in the groin and your head came up, cutting my lip! Do you remember that?

Josh, I’ve been trying to ignore it, but I’m still upset that you dislocated my leg. I didn’t want to bring it up, but you’re starting to annoy me, so I need to say something.

You’re known for your role in Jupiter’s Legacy, but you also voiced Harvey Dent in the animated film Batman: The Long Halloween. What drew you to that character, and have you ever tried out for a live-action role as Harvey Dent?

I never tried out for a live-action superhero role, but if I had to pick a favorite, it’d be Batman. I’m not a big superhero enthusiast overall, though I always found the story of Harvey Dent becoming Two-Face particularly compelling. I really enjoyed playing that character.

The new show Preschool is now available to stream! Let us know what you think by leaving a comment, and join the discussion in the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-03-17 22:11