In the upcoming Easter-themed comedy Hop (opening April 1st), Russell Brand voices the Easter Bunny’s teenage son who turns his back on taking over his father’s work in favor of a life of rock n’ roll.

Directed by Tim Hill (Alvin and the Chipmunks, Muppets From Space), the movie combines animation and live actors and experiments with the largely unexplored (cinematically anyhow) themes of Spring’s most famous holiday.

I called up the filmmaker at his home in California recently to discuss Hop, Russell Brand and how kids love pooping jokes.

Steve Gow: First of all, there aren’t a lot of Easter Bunny films. Why do you think the Easter Bunny has been getting the shaft in Hollywood?
Tim Hill: I suppose because there’s never really been a defined role for the Easter Bunny. I suppose he’s a mythological character but aside from stories like Peter Rabbit or you have Roger Rabbit, Bugs Bunny - I don’t think the Easter Bunny ever sparkled in Hollywood’s mind as a kind of a character that could be explored and just kind of be invented whereas Santa has its own myth – he’s been around for a while and people seem to know who he is, what he does.

SG: That certainly makes sense and it is sort of all about the spin on something that’s slightly familiar – whether it’s a kitschy idea or in the casting – having somebody like Russell Brand for instance to play a character like this.
TH: Ya, it’s hard to imagine now having made the movie, doing it without Russell Brand because he brings that kind of edgy side to it and he’s funny because when you see him on interviews, he always wants to be – what’s he call it – saucy.

SG: Saucy?
TH: Saucy – for the kids you know. And the thing is, it’s his brand of comedy but if you can keep him within the parameters of a family movie, he really is a good actor and he really cares about getting it right. I thought he brought his wit and also the naiveté of the character – coming from Easter Island and not knowing the world and not knowing necessarily how to behave…he was able to get all those nuances and what it does is it makes a complex character and I think that’s a big part of what makes an animated character work.

SG: And who else could dump a load of jelly beans on the hood of a car?
TH: (laughing) Exactly, the only guy I can think of.  I love all the voices.

SG: Oh ya, they’re all great.  Unless I read wrong I think you like to let actors adlib when they’re doing the recording. Of all of them, I wanted to know who’s the quickest at ad-libbing?
TH: Well, Russell is the quickest because he’s quick. I mean, I have to slow him down sometimes because he talks so fast. He’s funny because likes to have his double-espresso before we start and (I have to) stop the coffee from coming in. And his mind works so fast – he wants to alter the line and he wants to play with it and he wants to improve it. My philosophy with him was to let him bring what he wanted to bring because most of its great.

SG: You have an interesting background. You majored in French literature; you did live comedy in New York. It’s interesting to see where you are now. What do you think makes you a good fit for younger kids entertainment?
TH: I’m not sure what it is. I guess because I love to see kids laugh and the release they get out of seeing funny pooping jokes. It’s just the stupidest thing in the world but to me that’s funny. It’s irreverent but it’s not mean, it’s not so dry and ironic that it’s over their heads but I just kind of like that. And I’ve always been a big fan of physical comedy – I’m a big fan of Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin – I just think there’s a whole visual side of comedy that I think all ages appreciate but especially kids.