Ever since Meet The Parents, the central tension of the Focker franchise has been driven by the comedic dynamic between Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller. Now, 16 years after the trilogy closer Little Fockers, the series returns with Focker-In-Law, which introduces an unexpected addition to the heavy-hitting cast: Ariana Grande. In this installment, Ben Stiller returns as Greg Focker, a mistrustful parent who finds himself uncertain about his son's new partner, played by Grande as CIA hostage negotiator Olivia. Naturally, Robert De Niro's character Jack instantly takes a liking to her, escalating the awkward family tensions.
Going Toe-To-Toe With Comedy Icons
Director John Hamburg found that Grande proved to be the ideal performer to stand opposite Stiller and De Niro. According to the filmmaker, she seamlessly went toe-to-toe with Ben and jumped right into the scenes with De Niro and the rest of the ensemble cast, bringing an immense amount of energy to the production. Describing her as a dream to work with, Hamburg noted that she pushed him to revise the script and elevate her character as much as possible, despite major blockbuster films still representing relatively fresh territory for her career.
Praise From Co-Stars
De Niro described Grande as terrific, while Stiller asserted that she was uniquely suited for the part. Stiller highlighted her ability to navigate multiple dimensions of Olivia's personality, noting that she convincingly plays someone who is strong-willed and Type A while simultaneously serving as an effective comedic foil to Greg. He added that audiences will find themselves naturally rooting for her, which represents a difficult tonal line to walk. Stiller praised her timing and screen presence, comparing her ability to captivate viewers directly to working alongside De Niro.
Screen Presence And Release Details
Stiller emphasized that he completely believed her performance, noting that she possesses a rare quality on screen that demands attention. Focker-In-Law arrives in cinemas starting November 25. Fans interested in reading more about the franchise can look at Empire's oral history featured in the Dune: Part Three issue, which is available to pre-order online here.
