There are spoilers for Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice in the mix here, so be aware of that fact as you read on.
Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice is an exciting entry on the 2026 movie schedule, and the film even starts with a bang. I’m not speaking figuratively either, as the opening scene depicts a character having the time of their life before being shot to death. What’s even more ironic about the scene is that the character who dies is played by a fan-favorite actor. The time travel flick’s writer/director, BenDavid Grabinski, talked to CinemaBlend about how that moment came together, and it wasn’t exactly a small feat.
At the start of M&N&N&A, viewers are introduced to Symon, who is played by none other than Ben Schwartz. The wide-eyed inventor of the time machine that serves as the catalyst for the film, Symon is shown enthusiastically singing to Billy Joel’s “Why Should I Worry?” from Oliver & Company. (It’s a tune that belongs on the list of most uplifting Disney songs). The quirky scientist is taken aback, however, when an unseen figure (later revealed to be Nick, who was collecting a debt), kills him.
Just as Grabinski thoughtfully crafted the crazy ending of his latest film, he was also careful in regard to how he approached its opening scene. Grabinski revealed to us that, as seen in the video above, that there was one detail that made the prologue “tricky”:
It's the only scene in the movie that I didn't kind of walk people through what I wanted to be like. I wasn't sure it would make sense…. So I wanted it to feel like it's opening and it's a musical, but it's this thing. My intention was it needed to feel like there's a point — there's a method to the madness, which is that, you want to get to the end of that scene and feel like you never know where things are going. And I wanted, kind of, the entertainment value of the movie to feel like every time you're a little settled and you're like, ‘I know what's going to happen next.’ You don't. And I thought that would kind of make the movie more engaging.
All of that was just a part of the equation as the Happily helmer also had to hire who he believed would be the right actor to play Symon. Grabinski shared some insight into what led him to the delightful Schwartz:
The trick of it, though, is I had to get someone who could sing and be funny. And I, at first, was sort of thinking of some of those Broadway I will not mention, who I thought could be fun for it. And then I was like, ‘Oh fuck, I love Ben Schwartz. And you know, he's very funny. And, also, you know, he sings and stuff. And, I was like, ‘Oh, this is literally the only guy who could do it.’
BenDavid Grabinski explained that after Schwartz was sent the script, he responded positively but admitted to being a bit “confused” due to only being sent a paragraph-long scene that ends with his character being shot. However, after Grabinski reached out and walked the Parks & Recreation alum through everything, he was completely on board. And, according to Grabinski, the actor’s enthusiasm only grew with time:
He was, like, completely locked in, but I kind of had to walk him — there was walking through it, and I could just see him get more engaged and more engaged as I was talking to him about it. And it was such a fun night, like he was all in, and I only had to do like two takes of each thing, and it really felt like I had one night where I just got to make a musical.
I can completely understand Grabinski's desire to have Ben Schwartz play Symon, who also appears later in the film during a scene set before his death. What I love about Schwartz is that he always conveys a natural buoyancy that shines through in many of his roles, regardless of if they’re live-action or voiceover-based. I’d argue that’s a big reason why Schwartz is so perfect in the role of Sonic the Hedgehog, and his upbeat vibe is also a testament to the actor’s campaign to play DC’s Plastic Man.
Symon aside, there are plenty of reasons to check out the well reviewed Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice with a Hulu subscription. There’s action, comedy and some solid sci-fi based thrills that are sure to delight viewers. So check it out now (and don’t be surprised if you find yourself singing along to “Why Should I Worry?” during the opening scene).
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