Via Zoom: Director Ryan Crego of 'Arlo the Alligator Boy'

CHICAGO – A couple weeks ago, Netflix released for streaming the new animated film “Arlo the Alligator Boy” and immediately it went to 100% FRESH on Rotten Tomatoes (including a 4.5/5 on this forum [20]). This fresh, delightful and full-of heart “2D” cartoon musical is the product of creator and director Ryan Crego.

Although this is Ryan Crego’s debut animated film, he is a veteran in the industry. He tells the story of his origins in the business on the interview, but his first big break came with Dreamwork’s “Shrek Forever After.” From there he worked on notable film and TV projects such as “Puss in Boots,” “Kung Fu Panther 2.” “Peabody & Sherman,” “Sanjay and Craig,” in addition to voice work on “Rise of the Guardians” and “Turbo.” The characters of Arlo and his friends will break out into their own Netflix series, with a release date yet to come.

‘Arlo the Alligator Boy,’ Created and Directed by Ryan Crego
Photo credit: Netflix

Arlo (voice of Michael J. Woodard), is an alligator boy who drifts from the New York City sewers to the near New Orleans, and grows up in the swamp with his adopted Mom Edmee (Annie Potts). When he discovers his true origins when he’s a teen, he sets out for NYC to find his father. Along the way he gathers an odd group of fellow travelers, and a couple enemies who want to exploit him. The journey is the thing, as Arlo is encamped with other oddballs, including Tiny Tony (Tony Hale), a fabulous fur ball (Jonathan Van Ness of “Queer Eye”), and Big Bertie (Mary Lambert).

In PART ONE of an interview Via Zoom with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, Ryan Crego of “Arlo the Alligator Boy” talks about Arlo’s personality, his career and using 2D animation now …

In PART TWO, Ryan talks about working with Jonathan Van Ness and where Arlo and his gang might fit into the cartoon universe …

[21]	By PATRICK McDONALD [22] Editor, Film Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com [21]