November 14th, 2022 
Jackson Murphy 
Blue and Josh are taking The Big Apple by storm in Nickelodeon’s new musical movie Blue’s Big City Adventure, premiering this Friday November 18th on Paramount+. Steve and Joe return to the Blue’s Clues franchise to join in on the fun. I spoke with director Matt Stawski about the film from my own Thinking Chair! (This Animation Scoop Q&A was edited for length and clarity.)
Jackson Murphy: Blue and Josh are in New York City. What did you love the most about taking the CG Blue and bringing her and some of the other CG characters into real life New York?
Matt Stawski: I loved the challenge. It was such a challenge being in New York with so much chaos happening around us while we were shooting and trying to dial it in. And it was also really beautiful to see Blue, Tickety, Slippery and Mr. Salt in real-life scenarios and how the lighting interacts off them and how it plays on them. They looked beautiful in so many different live-action settings. It was really cool to see that in post.
JM: You do a great job with that. And you make New York City look so sunny and make the characters come alive. Your expertise of being a music video director really came in “handy” with all the musical numbers. What did you enjoy the most about that aspect of the movie?
MS: We had to create original songs, build the songs, choreograph them and fit them into New York City, which was really fun. It was fun to go to Central Park, for example, beforehand with the choreographers and look at the lay of the land — the architecture, the foliage and how we were gonna build a musical number into this iconic place? Really using the geography of the city in the musical… You don’t just want people walking on flat land. You want them doing flips off taxi cabs and jumping around Bethesda Fountain. So it was really fun to play with the geography of the city with the choreography.
JM: Young kids who love the “Blue’s Clues and You!” show on Nickelodeon will love the experience of these big dance numbers. And also you show us who points out to Josh where the pawprints are, which is so interesting. Was there a lot of thought and discussion amongst the Nickelodeon team and everybody about incorporating that element?
MS: Yeah. That was actually really important. It came from Angela Santomero and Traci Paige Johnson, who created “Blue’s Clues”. That was their idea from the start — to have a moment where the kid that’s been talking to Josh (or Steve or Joe) the whole time actually pop into the screen and interact with Josh. It was so fun, and it’s funny even for adults. It’s kind of funny to see these cute little kids popping on the side, like they were there the whole time, trying to help Josh with the clues.
Matt Stawski and Jackson Murphy
JM: It’s a great nod to the series — and showing the enjoyment to those like me who grew up with the original show. And speaking of that, the nostalgia factor of all three guys being a part of this… Was there pressure to make sure that aspect was right? On social media, everybody loves that all three guys are in this.
MS: Yeah. It was one of those things where… in meeting all of them, they were all such a pleasure to work with and so talented. The amount of talent in so many different aspects of filming — it was easy to work with them. Steve being on Stephen Colbert’s show and having his viral moment on Instagram was really exciting. There was always this kind of rumbling, knowing that this thing is gonna snowball and become a big, viral project, because of Steve and Joe coming back. We felt it on set for sure. It was magic.
JM: Good. Alex Winter is in the movie as well — of course from “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure”. What’s the connection here to bringing him into this?
MS: That’s our wonderful casting department. We were trying to fill the film with iconic actors and performers from Broadway or iconic films, and even musical cameos. He fit the part for that taxi driver so well. And being this wise sage that’s giving Josh advice, “Life is an adventure. Take a chance.” He fit the bill perfectly. It’s really fun to see him in the cab. I think a lot of people are gonna like those scenes.
JM: Yeah! And I found out he voiced Steve on an episode of “Robot Chicken” about a decade ago.
MS: Whoa! I didn’t know that. That’s crazy. (laughs) So cool.
JM: Yeah. Crazy little bit that “Robot Chicken” does. Also I love the moment towards the end of the movie where you have some different Broadway show signs [posters], and one of them is Blue surrounded by “The Lion King” mane.
MS: Yes! You noticed that. That’s a good Easter Egg. “The Puppy Queen”. Coming to Broadway soon, hopefully. (laughs) Fingers crossed.
JM: (laughs) Blue is as iconic as Simba. Blue is one of the most iconic animated characters of all-time. In looking back on your entire experience with this, Matt, what is the highlight and the impact for you because of this beloved brand and character?
MS: I think the highlight is being able to create a film that parents can watch with their kids. Both of them can connect on an emotional, educational and inspirational level. Seeing the buzz right now that some adults are even more excited than their kids about this movie — it’s gonna be a really beautiful experience for co-viewing. You gotta watch it 20 times to catch all the little tidbits. And the songs are earworms. It’s gonna really excite a lot of families for sure.
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