ITK Conversation with the Stars of "Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe"

In The Know's Gibson Johns chats with Ashley Tisdale, Vincent Martella, Alyson Stoner and Maulik Pancholy about their roles in the new Disney+ movie, "Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe."

Video transcript

[MUSIC PLAYING]

GIBSON JOHNS: Hi, guys. Thanks for joining us at In The Know. I'm your host Gibson Johns. And today we're psyched to be chatting with the cast of "Phineas and Ferb the Movie, Candace Against the Universe." Before we start our chat, let's check out a clip from the film.

[VIDEO PLAYBACK]

- I can't believe this.

- Oh.

- See? This is the kind of insane stuff I'm talking about. OK, guys, I give up. What does this one do?

- And break through over. Phineas and Ferb, I know you're in there.

- Um, if you don't know what it does, maybe you shouldn't hit it.

- Relax, it's probably some kind of amusement park ride or makes giant waffles or something. Is that why you're doing that, making big waffles?

- Uh, Candace. What in the world?

[BEEPS]

- Candace, we made you a--

- Phineas and Ferb, there are no waffles in here?

- Candace, where are you going? Where is she going?

[PHOTO CAPTURE]

[END OF VIDEO PLAYBACK]

GIBSON JOHNS: Welcome, everyone. Thanks for joining us. How are you guys?

ASHLEY TISDALE: Thank you.

VINCENT MARTELLA: Yeah, thank you.

GIBSON JOHNS: So we have Ashley Tisdale, who obviously plays Candace in the film. How does it feel to be in the spotlight this time around?

ASHLEY TISDALE: It feels great. It feels really good. I was just excited to be back. We've been doing this series for so long. And then it ended, and we had three years off. And so to be doing this movie and coming back and seeing Dan and Swampy, the creators, it was just like, I love it. I love this show. So I'm very excited to be here.

GIBSON JOHNS: We're excited, too. We also have Vincent Martella, who plays Phineas. The blue hair, I love it. I'm loving the blue hair, by the way.

VINCENT MARTELLA: Thank you very much. Yeah, I've got a little quarantined look ready to go for [INAUDIBLE] for press.

GIBSON JOHNS: I'm into it. I love it. Alyson Stoner, who plays Isabella. Can we get a quick, what ya doing?

ALYSON STONER: [CLEARS THROAT] hey, Phineas, whatcha doing?

GIBSON JOHNS: Perfect, that just made my day.

GIBSON JOHNS: And then we also have Maulik Pancholy, who plays Baljeet. How does it feel to have this movie back, which it's bringing Phineas and Ferb back to people who are familiar and love the series. But also it's probably going to be introduced to a whole new set of people on Disney Plus.

MAULIK PANCHOLY: Is that for me?

GIBSON JOHNS: Yes, it is. Sorry.

MAULIK PANCHOLY: I think it's so exciting. Well, first of all, I will also say, it's so exciting for us, apart from the audiences, to have had a job during this quarantine time. And we got to finish the movie while we were all stuck at home, which is really, really cool. And also, like Ashley said, we've been doing this show for so long. It's such a part of our lives.

And to get to come back to it was really, really fun. But then, like you said, I'm super excited because I run into people who are like-- I don't know-- older than me who are like, I watched this show forever and now hopefully there will be a whole new generation of 12-year-olds that will tune in tomorrow to watch the movie and then go back and watch all the old episodes. And so it's pretty fun. It's really exciting.

GIBSON JOHNS: Totally. And we saw Alyson. That was pretty flawless, just stepping into that voice. But is it as easy for the rest of you guys to just turn that on or does it take some getting used to after all these years?

ASHLEY TISDALE: Yeah, I would say that it's weird because I have to be because I'm usually obviously in a studio recording. And so I don't really see people in front of me except for Dan and Swampy. So it's like, yeah, if someone would ask me to Candace's voice, it's hard to get there. It's hard to get that [INAUDIBLE]. I don't know.

GIBSON JOHNS: What about the rest of you guys?

VINCENT MARTELLA: Well, I don't know. I had the pleasure-- I mean, we did an episode, like a crossover episode of Phineas and Ferb with another show that Dan Swampy did called Milo Murphy's Law. I guess, that was a couple years ago right in between, the end of Phineas and the beginning of this movie. And so when that came on, that was, I feel like, a more strange experience just because, really, it felt like the show was over and that was the last time we were going to get to do these characters. But then obviously going back to the movie I had known about it long enough to kind of just you know see old episodes and kind of practice Phineas' voice and everything again.

MAULIK PANCHOLY: I pretty much talk like this all the time. So it was very easy.

GIBSON JOHNS: It's just so unbelievable.

ALYSON STONER: The rest of you guys have really, really different voices for your characters. But mine is actually most like mine, and it's hard for me to do it.

GIBSON JOHNS: I mean, do you guys in your everyday lives-- I mean, again, and some of your voices are really, really different. Do people recognize you from your voice or do they just know that you're on the show and they'll recognize you on the street that way?

MAULIK PANCHOLY: I think I would be pretty horrified if someone said I know that voice.

[LAUGHS]

ALYSON STONER: I do recognized for my voice. People just are starting to learn that I'm Candace, I think, a lot of fans. So if I'm on TikTok, I did this like voice over. And people are like, it's Candace. And so, yeah, it's because my voice does sound similar to my character probably.

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah, for sure. Where does Phineas and Ferb rank for you guys in terms of what people recognize you and know you for in your everyday lives like we were talking about? It has to be up there because it was on for a decade on Disney channel. I mean, anybody can answer.

VINCENT MARTELLA: I mean, I did a Glad Press and Seal commercial once. So this is probably like right below the Glad Press and Seal commercial I did. No, I think the only time like-- because I've done live action series and things before.

GIBSON JOHNS: Of course.

VINCENT MARTELLA: Yeah, the only time that people really know that I'm Phineas on Phineas and Ferb is if I'm at Disneyland or at Disney World or something because that's like hardcore Disney fans who know people who are in everything Disney. And generally speaking, no, I don't think people-- because, like Maulik, that would be pretty interesting to me if people thought that this is just how I sounded all of the time, because I don't sound that way. I don't think people just stop and go, Phineas.

GIBSON JOHNS: Right, right. For sure.

MAULIK PANCHOLY: Could I say--

GIBSON JOHNS: You go.

MAULIK PANCHOLY: Oh, well, it seems that I wrote a book that came out last year. And it's for middle grade readers. And so part of the book tour was going to middle schools. And I would literally be like, hey, introducing myself and I was like, I play Baljeet Phineas and Ferb. And these 12-year-olds in middle school, who actually already know the show, would go nuts. And they'd be a huge line of people wanting autographs at the end. So they don't recognize me as the character unless I tell them. But when I do, I feel like the fan adoration from young people is something unlike any other fan base. It's pretty incredible.

GIBSON JOHNS: That's so special. And we talked about it. This is going to premiere on Disney Plus. And obviously, there are a lot of people who subscribe to Disney Plus who were of appropriate age when Phineas and Ferb was out. They were kids growing up with this amazing show. But again, it's going to reach this whole new generation of people. And I think that the fact we're getting a Phineas and Ferb movie in 2020 means that there's something timeless about these characters and their story. What do you think it is about all these characters that really has connected with people of a lot of different ages?

ALYSON STONER: Vincent, I think they're great at answering that one.

VINCENT MARTELLA: Me? Oh, no, I mean, something that's awesome. I mean, in terms of even just [INAUDIBLE] with your last question about people coming up to us and talking to us about the show, something that has always made me really happy is that the entire time that the series was on a lot of families would come up and say, we're so thankful that a show like this exists because we can watch it as a family and there's humor for both the parents and the kids.

And so I think that's what helps this humor and these adventures resonate with people through time is because, yeah, our writers are so amazing and they give us types of stories that everyone can watch and connect with.

GIBSON JOHNS: And how have your relationships changed with the characters? Because obviously, they remain the same ages. They remain the same people that everyone knows and loves. But you guys have gotten older. You guys have evolved as humans in the past decade and a half. How have your relationships with those characters evolved over the years?

ALYSON STONER: I think for me, Candace is really crazy. And so I was a little nervous just because we hadn't played the characters for a couple of years that I was coming back into this. I was like, oh my gosh, am I going to be able to find like Candace is crazy. And I did because I'm a little crazy myself. But yeah, I think whenever you play a character there's something-- obviously you put yourself into it in some way. And I love the freedom with animation specifically-- especially freedom that Dan and Swampy have given, I think, all of us is that we get to be really creative and get to go places. And then they pick what they like.

And so yeah, I was a little nervous and my voice has gotten lower as I've gotten older. But again, my character's voice isn't like Alyson. So I don't have to like-- it is hardest thing, though, sometimes as Candace because I am an artist and I sing my own music. So--

GIBSON JOHNS: Totes, for sure.

ASHLEY TISDALE: [INAUDIBLE] where Candace has a lot of like, you know, she's exhausting. So it's just a lot of energy.

GIBSON JOHNS: Alyson, what about for you? I mean, again, you just flawlessly went into that. But you know, how-- the voice is easy for you. But what about just like for your character over the years? Talk to me about your evolution with that.

ALYSON STONER: Yes, I think I've really grown in admiration and respect for the creators and the animators because in many ways all of our characters are somewhat aspirational, like someone who is always inventive and always optimistic, people who are natural born leaders. There are so many really lovable, inspiring elements. But it's done in such a natural and fun way that you feel like it's just a camaraderie between a bunch of friends who are having the best summer that they can.

But when you actually look at the inner workings of the show, there are a lot of really important valuable perspectives on how to approach challenges, how to solve problems between friends or with the world. And I'm like, this actually is the microcosm of how we all ought to approach everything we're going through together. And I feel like the heartbeat of the show can spearhead the attitude and approach that I want to take with how we're all transitioning in our own real lives as well.

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah, it's really special. Again, I think that speaks to the longevity of the series and then the various movies that it's spawned. But I think, Ashley, you were talking about how crazy Candace is. And she is really out of the box. But I think, in this movie, we do get to see some vulnerability from her as a character and we get to unpack why she's so frustrated with her brother so often and where that originates. It must feel good to be able to unpack that after so many years.

ALYSON STONER: Yeah, definitely, I think that obviously Candace in the series is always trying to obviously prove that her brothers are up to something and get them in trouble. And so it's like I think obviously, over years of that, this frustration from Candace is just like she just needs space from her brothers because she's had it. But then she actually ends up in space, which is so wild, and has an adventure out there.

But it does feel really good to see different sides of Candace in this movie and her vulnerability. And so that was really fun to play. And also the music is just so good. I mean, we all remember the songs from Phineas and Ferb, and this is just the same. I mean, the music's so great in it. But the opening song, "Beautiful Day," like really captures who Candace is as a character. It has these highs and it has these angry moments. I love getting to show all of those different sides of her. Of all the characters I've played, she is just one of my favorite characters because there is no end to creativity with her.

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah, that's very true. So I understand for you guys the pandemic definitely affected the production of this. We had to do some recording from home. Maulik, what was that like? What was that adapting to the times like for you?

MAULIK PANCHOLY: It was so great. It was like this weird enormous box that looked like it could have been carrying a bomb showed up at my front door. And inside it was a microphone and sound blankets and a little preamp and a computer even. And we got to set up these little home studios and have a job at a time when so many people are not able to work.

So it was like this gift that Disney gave us, and it was really fun work. And so interesting because I live in New York and Dan and Swampy, who create the show, live in L.A. So for years of records, they'd just be voices in my head. And it was like, oh, we can you Zoom and we can actually see each other when we could do the record. So I actually got to see them while I was doing it, which is really, really fun, too, just to connect with people and be creative for a little while and then get to fall right back into this, as Ashley said, this world where there is no limit to the creativity. It just goes on and on and on.

GIBSON JOHNS: What that the same for you, Vincent? What was that experience like for you?

VINCENT MARTELLA: Yeah, I mean, I'm also in New York, like the Maulik. And so I think you captured that perfectly in terms of everyone is adjusting to the way that whatever industry they're in or whatever their job is is being changed by the circumstances of this year. And so yeah, we were just like pretty much anybody else who's trying to adjust to this. And yeah, I sat in my bedroom and recorded a song.

We recorded the new song, "We're Back," to announce the return of the movie and all the characters. We recorded that. And all of our animators were finishing all the art from their houses, too. So they did an amazing job.

GIBSON JOHNS: You guys have mentioned the music a couple of times. I'm curious if each of you has a favorite song from over the years from the Phineas and Ferb, like a discography, I guess, you could call it.

ALYSON STONER: Mine would be "Squirrels in my Pants."

GIBSON JOHNS: The title alone. Anybody else have a favorite?

MAULIK PANCHOLY: My favorite Baljeet song was "Give Me a Grade," just because we got to see this whole other side of him. I got to like rock out and be crazy fierce but also because I really discovered how high my voice could go. I literally think I heard cavities battling in the back was like my teeth, like fillings rattling. And I was like, wow, yes, I can do this, I can do this. But I loved doing that song.

But all the songs are so amazing. And there's a song-- well, there's many songs in the movie. But there's a song in a movie that I think people walk out of-- well, not walk out of the theater-- walk out of their living rooms with the song stuck in their head. The music's always so good.

GIBSON JOHNS: Totally. So before we go on, we're going to check out another clip from the "Phineas and Ferb, Candace Against the Universe."

[VIDEO PLAYBACK]

- We're not getting anywhere with this spaceship.

- It's an [INAUDIBLE]. What does it matter? It's just a pile of junk now anyway.

- I'm not sure how we will ever get back home.

- We'll figure out something. We always do. But the important thing is we have to find Candace and Vanessa.

- Maybe we should start by looking there.

- Wait a minute. Does anybody else hear a strange, ominous tone when they look at that alien fortressy thing? But only when I look directly at it. I can hear it when I look-- yeah, I have to--

- Yes.

- Oh, yeah.

- Me, too.

- Oh, yes, it's like a low tone.

- I don't hear anything. You're freaking me out.

- I can hear it when I look just directly at it.

- I've never seen anything like that before.

- Every time my eyes get near it.

- Alien planets are weird.

[END OF VIDEO PLAYBACK]

GIBSON JOHNS: I feel like to me, that is the perfect example of the humor that can be both for adults and for the kids. Right, I mean? To me, that's something that anybody can laugh at. So I think we talked a lot about the music. We talked about the past moments from the show. But there is one that I think I've seen pop up. Before this interview, I was doing a little research in some of the fan areas on the internet. And there's a question for prevents Vince and Alyson-- will Phineas and Isabella ever happen? Is that ever something that can happen for them?

VINCENT MARTELLA: The classic will they, won't they.

GIBSON JOHNS: Exactly, exactly.

VINCENT MARTELLA: I don't know, Alyson. What do you think?

GIBSON JOHNS: Alyson, yeah.

ALYSON STONER: I don't know Phineas. What do you think?

VINCENT MARTELLA: I don't know. I'm just trying to have a good summer. I don't really-- I don't even notice the little heartsy rise.

ALYSON STONER: Yeah, well, I'm just here to support. Let me know if you want to hang sometime, just me and, you know, as friends.

VINCENT MARTELLA: Yeah, sure, I definitely will.

GIBSON JOHNS: I mean, I just want to clap for that. I mean, I love that. We had our own little mini movie right there. So we have a ton of new kids that are going to be able to see this movie and be exposed to Phineas and Ferb and Candace and Isabella and Baljeet.

And this new generation of kids has grown up with phones, with extra screens, with social media. And I'm curious if-- right now it's all about TikTok. If your characters had TikTok, what would their presence be like on that? What would they be posting day and day out? Would they be doing the dances? What would it look like for you?

ALYSON STONER: Isabella would be on the edu talk and making really informative like minute long descriptions of a variety of topics so you can be prepared for any and all circumstances.

GIBSON JOHNS: I love that answer. Anybody else? What would your characters doing on TikTok?

MAULIK PANCHOLY: I think Baljeet would be doing how-to videos and also developing a vaccine for the coronavirus.

VINCENT MARTELLA: Wow, look at you making your character the savior of the entire planet right now.

[LAUGHS]

ASHLEY TISDALE: I feel like Candace would be doing prank videos. She would just constantly be trying to prank her brothers, just the same old story, same ending.

ALYSON STONER: Same story, new platform.

GIBSON JOHNS: Can't let it go.

VINCENT MARTELLA: Yeah, I think Phineas's would all just be montages of him building things. So it would be a time lapse of the inventions that him and Ferb built.

ALYSON STONER: I'd be super satisfying, like those ASMR videos or just really visual aesthetics where you're like, oh, I know within this minute I'm going to see a project come to fruition and feel like I was a part of it.

VINCENT MARTELLA: I think everyone listens to Phineas and Ferb very quietly before they go to bed as ASMR. I think that's going to be a thing after this movie.

ALYSON STONER: Let's do it.

GIBSON JOHNS: We can only hope. Make it happen. So I mean, I would love to hear from you guys, because to me a central kind of question in this movie is, why doesn't Candace feel special. And it's kind of a sad question. But there is a optimistic ending and it has-- but I'm curious for you guys. What is the message of "Candace against the Universe?" What do you hope that anybody who's watching it takes away from it?

[LAUGHS]

ASHLEY TISDALE: [INAUDIBLE]

GIBSON JOHNS: Really thinking hard over here.

ASHLEY TISDALE: I think that there are times in your life where things aren't always going the way you thought they would. And sometimes I think you can get stuck in feeling like, the universe is against you and you're not getting to that place where you feel like you deserve. And I think that I feel like all of the journey there is what it's all about. It's not about the destination. It's not really about busting her brothers.

At the end of the day, it's really about the journey and it's about the relationships between all of these characters and the relationships in your own life. But I think Candace is so destined on that end, like, I need my mom to see this, she's forgetting and she's not seeing the fun that she's missing out on. So I think it's about being really present in your life and being present in these moments. Even in this moment, that feels not great because we're in quarantine and we can't see your friends. But this moment will pass and make something good out of this moment, I think.

GIBSON JOHNS: And I also think that there's a character in here for everyone There's a way for everybody to see themselves in this movie. And that's really special, too. Not everything can say that, I don't think.

MAULIK PANCHOLY: I was going to say, I love that the title of the movie is Candace against the universe. It's like she's taking it on by herself. And in the end, the thing that really saves her is her brothers and this group of friends that come out and really go after her and let her know that she is special. And I think that's what the heart of Phineas and Ferb has always been, is that it's these kids together being friends and having this boundless imagination and making things. But they always come back to like make sure that each of them is part of the group, which I think is what this movie is so special, makes the movie special.

GIBSON JOHNS: Definitely, definitely. And lastly, before we close it out, I mean, you guys have been part of the Disney universe for-- what is it now-- I mean, at least a decade and a half. Phineas and Ferb premiered in 2007 or something. For some of you, it's quite longer. Alyson and Ashley, it's probably even longer than that. I mean, what's it like just to be a part of this-- it's kind of like a club. I mean, there's so many lovers of what you guys represent. And I'm just curious, just looking back at it what you've accomplished as part of this big family, how does it feel?

ASHLEY TISDALE: It feels really great to be a part of still something that my niece, who's 10 years old, can watch and really enjoy. It's been a really long time. We've all moved on and done other things in our life. But I think that Disney is such a great company to work for and to be a part of, not only a series that was a really successful series and a movie that was successful, but to be a part of an animation series that has lasted this long, it's just above your wildest dreams. And you're like, this is great. This is such this-- I love doing animations. I've done animation since I was 10 years old. But being a part of this series, it's just really been such a fun and great experience.

And even though I don't get to see this cast very often, because we normally just do stuff [INAUDIBLE]. And it's like a little family that we've been a part of for so long. So I think anytime you're on something that lasts 10 years, you're very grateful for that.

GIBSON JOHNS: Totally. Well, I think that's a great place to wrap it up. Thank you guys so much for taking the time to talk. "Phineas and Ferb the Movie Candace Against the Universe" premieres on Disney Plus tomorrow. And I'm really excited for everyone to get to watch it. I'm sure you guys are, too. So thanks so much.

ASHLEY TISDALE: Thank you.

VINCENT MARTELLA: Thank you.

ALYSON STONER: Enjoy everyone.

GIBSON JOHNS: Bye, guys.