Tom Hopper, who costars with Emma Roberts in Thursday’s comedic “Space Cadet,” knows that this space fantasy has serious thoughts beneath its sunny exterior.
Roberts is Tiffany “Rex” Simpson, who despite having no qualifications, dreams of going into space.
So when her bogus application is accepted into NASA’s super competitive astronaut training program, Rex needs luck and plenty of pluck to avoid elimination.
“Opportunities like this movie are great to push an equal opportunity movement in an environment like NASA where it’s been quite male dominant,” said Hopper, 39, whose Logan is program director.
“As director of operations Logan runs the program to bring in new cadets and put them through training. He’s got a pretty important job trying to find his candidate. That’s why it’s such a high-level problem when he figures out she’s cheated to get in. He also feels betrayed, because it’s a personal thing.
“She’s a double-edged sword there. He wants her to stay, because he’s probably fallen in love with her a little bit.”
As Rex succeeds by her wits and instinctive understanding, “Space” unfolds with a familiar trajectory: the underdog’s winning in slightly incredible ways.
“I suppose it does have that ‘Legally Blonde’ vibe to it,” Hopper acknowledged.
As a classic leading man (“Umbrella Academy,” “Game of Thrones”), was he summoning the spirit of Cary Grant, Hollywood’s definitive light-hearted hero, for Logan?
“That’s so funny! Because I never really thought of anything about Cary Grant before. And then Liz” — Garcia, the writer director — “said to me one day, ‘You really remind me of Cary Grant.’ I’ve never had that comparison ever — but I’ll take it! A huge compliment.
“For me, it’s always about playing the truth of the character. This is a heightened, comedic world. I just wanted to do the best version of Logan for that world.”
He next shifts to darker sides. First, there’s “Place of Bones,” a Western with Heather Graham due this year.
“I really changed my look and casting bracket for that one and had a great time working with Donald Cerrone, an ex-UFC fighter who I was a massive fan of. That alone made it a great time.”
His trimmed beard is for the currently filming new season of “The Terminal List: Dark Wolf.”
“It’s the prequel to the first ‘Terminal.’ I’m playing a character from the books, Raife Hastings, a Navy SEAL.
“That’s been shooting the last month. It’s been a crazy ride — lots of guns and explosions. Just gnarly stuff, but one of the best jobs I’ve ever done, a brilliant time working with some amazing people.”
“Space Cadet” streams July 4 on Prime Video