After playing Vinnie Chase for almost a decade on Entourage, Adrian Grenier is keeping his cool for his next big TV role...that is, he's playing the "cool uncle" on Disney Junior's new animated series, Miles From Tomorrowland!
Grenier has teamed up with his childhood friend Sascha Paladino, the series' creator (pictured above with Grenier), to star as the titular character Miles' uncle, Captain Joe Callisto, on the intergalactic adventure series that incorporates unique space and science facts into storylines that chart the outer space missions of young adventurer Miles Callisto (Cullen McCarthy) and his family as they help connect the galaxy on behalf of the Tomorrowland Transit Authority.
Press play on the video below to check out an exclusive first look at Grenier's character!
E! News caught up with both Grenier and Paladino to find out why Grenier decided to get into animation and voice work, what it was like working together professionally, and more! Check out our full Q&A with the duo below now.
E! News: Adrian, what attracted you to animation and doing voice work for Miles From Tomorrowland?
Adrian Grenier: Not going to lie, I've been wanting to be on Miles From Tomorrowland ever since I knew that Sascha was creating the show. It's been this secret desire of mine, but I was always afraid to say it because who wants to be the guy begging to be on a show? But secretly, I was dying to be on this show. Miraculously, one night at dinner, I think suggested it.
Sascha Paladino: You actually said, ‘So who do I get to play?' And I was like, ‘Really?' I just had no idea. I didn't want to bother my friend, he's so busy. But I was like, ‘Hey man, that'd actually be awesome. Such a great idea!'
AG: I guess we were secretly thinking we were both unworthy to work together or something.
SP: Exactly! I'm glad Adrian made the first move.
AG: When he said yes, I was overjoyed. I ran home and told everyone, ‘I'm going to be on his show!'
SP: I was thrilled because it was both a good fit for the show and awesome to be able to work with your friend.
Sasha, did you already have this character in mind or did you create it for Adrian?
SP: We had in mind the idea that Miles would have this cool uncle, but once I knew that Adrian was going to be involved and play the part, it really affected the writing of the part. Adrian has this natural swagger to him. He's cool, he's got that ineffable cool quality. I knew he was going to be this cool space cop, someone who Miles looked up to. Adrian was just perfect for that, and it was perfect timing so we could shape the character to fit his personality.
Adrian is this your first foray into animation and voice work, or have you done it before?
AG: Nothing major. I've done some smaller things, narration and that sort of thing. Sascha and I have known each other for a long time and we've done short movies together, those kinds of voiceovers, but nothing on this scale or this quality.
Having done both live action on TV and movies, and now animation, which kind of work do you prefer more?
AG: That's hard to say. Both have their different values, but I really enjoyed this because it gave me an opportunity to push beyond my limitations and have a little bit more fun. With TV and film, you have to worry about more than your voice, like your mannerisms. But in this, I didn't have to worry about that. I was in the studio with my arms flailing and my body moving around. It was a lot more fun.
Sascha, you've known Adrian personally for a long time, but what was it like working with him in a professional way?
SP: We used to make movies together as kids, and in a way, it was like being teenagers again and making movies together in a park with a video camera! [Laughs] There was a certain joy to that. It wasn't about making a living or feeding other people, it was just doing it for the fun of it. Working together brought that back. We were just doing it because we love to do it. It was nice. It sounds cheesy, but we had a child-like joy.
AG: Which is perfect for this show.
SP: It is! This is a show for kids, and a show that the main character Miles has a very joyful outlook on life. In a way, he's like Adrian and I when we were kids, always looking for the next adventure. It was full circle to have Adrian on the show.
Grenier's first episode of Miles From Tomorrowland airs Friday, February 20 at 9 a.m. on Disney Channel.