Our latest special edition digital cover spotlights Wyatt Oleff as he reflects on a dynamic period in his career, including his recent role in Karate Kid: Legends, where he reunited with director Jonathan Entwistle. The two previously collaborated on the Netflix series I Am Not Okay With This, which saw Wyatt star alongside his It co-star Sophia Lillis. Although the series was cut short after one season due to COVID-19–related challenges, the creative connection clearly left a lasting impact.

In our exclusive conversation, Wyatt opens up about his evolving craft and creative process. He shares how music helps him get into character, reflects on transitioning from child to adult actor, and discusses what it meant to collaborate with Jonathan again on such an iconic franchise.

Exclusive photos for Popternative Magazine by Jonathan Puente
Hair and Makeup: Caitlyn Casey
Styling: Razzi Schlosser

How have the changes in your life and career as you grow from being a child actor into an adult influenced the way you approach your work and new projects?

Wyatt: I feel like I’m at a very specific age where things are changing for me very rapidly. All my career has been being a kid growing up, and now I’m becoming an adult. So, I feel like the time in between projects changes my outlook on everything and changes the way that I like to work. And coming from working on the Apple TV show, City on Fire, then [filming] Karate Kid: Legends, it’s different kinds of [projects]. I don’t like to repeat myself too much, so it’s just about trying new things.

Wyatt: In anything, whatever hobbies I’m doing, drawing, music, writing, acting, whatever it is, there’s always that feeling that you’re just not where you want to be. And I’m learning that you will never be where you want to be. And I think that can be a good thing, because instead of focusing on where I think I should be, [I’m trying] to just focus on the fact that I’m exactly where I should be. You’re always too close to your own things to really understand that you are creating something that might affect other people. I just had the realization that, “oh, I actually have done things that have affected people.” I don’t know why it just is occurring to me now. I’m fully realizing what it means to be moved so deeply by art, and I want to do that for people.

Wyatt: I’ve [also] really been kind of shifting my perspective on [my projects]. When I’m filming a project, instead of thinking about what it’s going to turn into, how good it’s going to be, what people are going to think of it, and what am I gaining from it, now, [I think about] if I’m having a good time, if I’m feeling fulfilled, if I’m doing the thing that I love. I think those things are more important to me than anything else.

How does music play a role in helping you get into character when you’re preparing for a role?

Wyatt: I think for the It [films], I had a playlist that was very helpful. And for City on Fire, during a lot of that summer that I was shooting, I was just listening to a lot of music from that time and things that felt like it would inspire the character. And specifically, I remember, because that show was so involved with music, we had a music supervisor, and I just like, hey, can you send me a list of sad songs that this character would listen to in that era? And he just sent me a playlist. I was like, great, I don’t even have to pick out the music myself. And now, I can’t listen to how to “How to Disappear Completely” by Radiohead anymore, because it makes me too sad.

Wyatt: I think that it continues to be something that’s important for me. I think it’s been a while since I worked on a project that’s so long form where it could really be helpful to listen to when I’m getting into character, and have that throughout the months, but I do think it’s very important. And even if it’s something that maybe I’m more listening to and the character isn’t, that will always still put me in the mindset of where I’m at and when I’m shooting and stuff.

What drew you to join the Karate Kid franchise with Karate Kid: Legends?

Wyatt: The initial draw for me was working with Jonathan [Entwistle] again. I think that he’s such a talented and amazing director who has such a specific voice. Not being able to work with him again on a season two for [I Am Not Okay with This] was so devastating so, to have this project come along and him [asking me to] audition for it was great. And then I got there, and it [felt] exactly like what I remembered working with him, which is just free flowing and trust that he has with a lot of his actors. It’s something that I really appreciate about him. Knowing the director really helped. Going in, I didn’t know anybody [else], and it’s this big franchise, and I’m playing this comedic relief character and that is scary, because what if he’s just annoying? So, to have the comfort of somebody that I knew was very helpful.

With those two It films, a lot of the cast are still close friends—did it always feel like you were making the movies with your friends?

Wyatt: It’s [now] almost 10 years ago. At that age, we were just like, “yeah, we’re just making this thing, and we’re all hanging out,” and it was like we were just messing around and laughing sometimes too. I’ve said this plenty of times before, but it was like summer camp, except we got paid, and we also got to make cool movies.

_

Follow Wyatt Oleff: Instagram
Follow Popternative Magazine: Instagram