With the comedy world hungry for fresh laughs and no-holds-barred humor, New feature film Wingman is set to deliver exactly what audiences crave: gut-busting jokes and an unapologetic approach to storytelling. Produced by Justin L. Levine and directed and starring, Harland Williams, the film is one of the most anticipated comedies coming out in 2025. In this exclusive interview, we sit down with these two geniuses to get a glimpse into the making of a comedy that knows exactly what it’s here to do, entertain.
indieactivity: What was the initial spark that led to the creation of Wingman?
Justin Levine (JL): Well, I originally came up with the storyline about 15 years ago, back when Harland and I were filming in Toronto. We were working on a wacky spoof comedy called Child Wild that Harland wrote and starred in. During that time, I came up with the concept for Wingman, inspired by the throwback vibe of ’80s and ’90s dating comedies—something that hasn’t really been done in a while. The idea stuck with me, and all these years later, Harland and I finally decided to greenlight it and bring it to life.
For anyone that hasn’t seen the trailer yet, how would you best describe the film?
Harland Williams (HW): Wingman is a modern-day comedy that refuses to be woke or politically correct. It’s an outrageous film that does exactly what comedies are supposed to do: make people laugh! The edgy, silly humor is rooted in the real world of human relationships—dating, love, and the extremes people will go to in their quest to find love and make it work.
Turk, the professional Wingman, helps desperate people find love. His bizarre methods are unlike anything anyone has ever seen—whether it’s yanking nose hairs, using Rubik’s Cubes, or even enlisting the help of an albino koala to lure women. Turk is in a demented league of his own, but, believe it or not, his unorthodox methods actually work! In the end, he helps his clients find love while grappling with a dark secret of his own—one that might just fuel his quest to be the world’s best Wingman.
Were any of the scenes based on real life events?
Justin Levine (JL): The original story was loosely based on it back in the day some of my dating escapades. But this newly written script from Harland was entirely his genius & ideas.
How long did it take to write the script? Did you write any characters for specific actors?
Harland Williams (HW): The Wingman script took about six months to write, but it took 16 years to finally get made. During that time, I was able to fine-tune and update it. Originally, I wrote the lead Wingman role for one of my best friends, actor Michael Rosenbaum (Smallville’s Lex Luthor). He ultimately passed on it, so I floated the role to a ton of big names I had relationships with—Jim Carrey, Will Ferrell, Jason Bateman, Ryan Gosling—but they all passed.
In the end, I realized it was up to me to step in and bring the Wingman to life. Honestly, I think everything happens for a reason because I had the time of my life playing the role. I also wrote the character of Kazzim specifically with fellow Canadian comedian Russell Peters in mind. I knew he’d be perfect for the role, and man, did he deliver. He’s simply hilarious and so lovable in this outrageous part.
As a producer, what were the most difficult challenges you encountered while making Wingman?
Justin Levine (JL): As the producer, we had a solid budget for the film, but shooting in a smaller city presented its own set of challenges. One of the hurdles was finding and bringing in skilled crews, which we ultimately solved. We also ran into some funny issues at the U.S.-Canada border, but those were resolved quickly.
The shoot itself was tight, and as the weather grew cooler, managing 27 different locations became another challenge. However, we were able to capture all the great footage needed to bring Harland’s vision to life.
We also got incredibly lucky with the timing of our lead castings. Kayla Wallace had just landed a role in the hit U.S. TV series Landman, starring opposite Billy Bob Thornton and Demi Moore. Evan Marsh had just wrapped a major network TV series in the U.S., and Harland himself has had a strong resurgence on the comedy scene with the ongoing popularity of the Scream franchise, comic-con appearances, and fan expos.
Jamie Kennedy is an old friend of mine, and I was eager to include him in the film. His wacky yet sharp comedic timing brought incredible energy and attention to our production. Russell Peters, who’s constantly on tour selling out arenas, has been friends with Harland for over 30 years and was thrilled to be part of Harland’s directorial debut.
Lastly, Shiva Negar was the perfect choice for her over-the-top comedic role. She and Harland worked together seamlessly, and her performance truly elevated the film.
Do you have a favorite scene?
Harland Williams (HW): Wow, I love the whole film, but there are definitely a few scenes that stand out. One of my favorites is when the lead character, Bob—who hires the Wingman—is making out with a girl in the Wingman’s car, and Butterbuns, the albino koala, makes a surprise appearance in the middle of their groping session. It’s absolutely hilarious.
Another standout for me is a much more subtle scene where Bob, while trying to pick up women, gets completely schooled by a very sophisticated woman. She shows him that women aren’t easily fooled and can outsmart a man if they want to. In a movie filled with lots of outrageous and sophomoric pick-up scenes, I love this one because it feels so real. It’s humbling for Bob, and we see him confronted by a woman who is much smarter and more self-assured than he is.
Why has Hollywood made fewer comedies in the last five years?
Justin Levine (JL): Funny enough, this was a topic of conversation among the entire cast and crew while filming Wingman. We all agreed that, over the last five years, Hollywood seems to have been too cautious or worried to produce flat-out, laugh-out-loud dating comedies—the kind that used to be the foundation of so many huge comedy stars. These were also the films that often created some of the funniest moments during awards shows like the Golden Globes and Oscars.
Hopefully, with the current lack of comedies, the industry will come full circle and embrace this genre again. For me personally, slapstick comedies are my absolute favorite genre, and I’ll continue striving to produce more of them.
Will there be a sequel?
Harland Williams (HW): YES! We had such an incredible time making this film—both the cast and crew—that I’ve already started writing the sequel. The Wingman character is so unique, blunt, and completely over the top that it feels like a sequel is not just a possibility but a necessity.
To me, this is what movies are all about: bringing to life characters that people would likely never meet in real life. In the vein of Austin Powers and Ace Ventura, I absolutely believe we need to see and hear MORE of the Wingman’s story.
Tell us what you think of the interview. What do you think of it? What ideas did you get? Do you have any suggestions? Or did it help you? Let’s have your comments below and/or on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
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FILMMAKER INTERVIEWS
