In an interview for Variety, actors Michael Angarano and Michael Cera discussed their friendship and approaches toward working on their new film, Sacramento. In Sacramento, the two play childhood friends who drifted apart and have their friendship rekindled during a road trip to the Central Valley State Capitol. Cera begins the interview with an observation about living in his 30s, a common theme in Sacramento. “Almost 20 years ago, I would get really anxious walking by a high school because the kids would know who I was, and they create a frenzy of energy that you’re not able to withstand. But now I feel very comfortable walking by a high school because I know they have no idea who I am.”

Angarano and Cera share similar life experiences, with both actors beginning their careers as young adults. Angarano started his early career working on the sitcom Will & Grace and the Disney Superhero comedy Sky High, while Cera’s career began with comedies like Superbad and the TV series Arrested Development.

Both actors acknowledge the similarities in their careers and share a close friendship. “We had a little group in L.A. for our 20s that was together all the time”, says Cera about their early friendship. “We were all kid actors. It was our version of a college group,” says Angarano. 

Angarano also explains how he and co-writer Christopher Smith approached their decision to cast Michael Cera. “We wrote it with the idea of, “Maybe the two of us play it, maybe one of us plays it, maybe neither of us play it,” he explains. “Looking for money informally, then more seriously, it became clear that that was going to be a tough mountain to climb. So, the idea of [Cera] playing the part, if we could get that, that’s going to be the version”. Angarano also explains why he thought Cera was right for the role, saying, “I just love him as an actor. There’s only a handful who are great and also really funny.

Sacramento, distributed by Vertical Entertainment, is now showing in theaters.