Emma Roberts stars as Tiffany “Rex” Simpson in the new comedy “Space Cadet,” streaming on Prime Video starting July 4. The film follows Rex, who has always dreamed of becoming an astronaut. Despite facing numerous challenges, she sets her sights on NASA’s competitive astronaut training program. With some embellishments from her friend Nadine (Poppy Liu), Rex’s application is accepted, kicking off her unlikely journey as a NASA recruit.
Once accepted, Rex finds herself in over her head but uses her quick wit and determination to excel. Music becomes a significant motivator for her, particularly a playlist titled Brains & Butts, which helps her stay focused during her rigorous training.
Curated by Roberts and the film’s writer, director, and executive producer Liz W. Garcia, the playlist features inspiring tracks from artists like Beyoncé and Outkast. The playlist is available on Spotify to coincide with the movie’s release.
In an interview, Roberts and Garcia discussed their creative processes and the importance of a strong movie soundtrack. For Roberts, music is crucial in getting into character, helping her embody Rex’s confident, outgoing personality. Garcia shared that music plays a significant role in her writing process, often creating playlists to set the tone and keep her motivated during tough writing periods.
Roberts and Garcia crafted the playlist for Rex with her personality and aspirations in mind. The mix includes both karaoke hits and deeper tracks that mirror Rex’s journey toward achieving her astronaut dreams. Garcia emphasized that the playlist aims to evoke the same determination and positivity that Rex feels as she navigates her path at NASA.
If Roberts had to choose one anthem for Rex, it would be “Stronger” by Kelly Clarkson, encapsulating the character’s resilience and determination. Garcia added that the soundtrack is essential in expressing the film’s main themes, as music can transform one’s mood and offer motivation, which was crucial during the creative process.
Roberts described “Space Cadet” as fun, aspirational, and embodying moxie, while Garcia reflected on how her experience as a female filmmaker has influenced her perspective on the story. Garcia acknowledged the challenges she faced in her career and expressed her desire to encourage others to pursue their dreams, regardless of their background or support system.
“Space Cadet” serves as a call to action for audiences to believe in themselves and their dreams. Garcia hopes the film demonstrates that the best candidate should succeed based on merit, not privilege or chance. The movie aims to inspire viewers to bet on themselves and pursue their goals against the odds.
Both Roberts and Garcia shared some of their favorite movie soundtracks. Roberts mentioned “Legally Blonde” and “Practical Magic,” highlighting how these soundtracks capture the essence of their respective films.
Garcia cited “Love & Basketball” for its perfect emotional blend and “Rushmore” and “The Royal Tenenbaums” for their eclectic song selections. She also praised the score of “The Piano” for its deep emotional resonance and the soundtrack of “Spanking the Monkey” for sparking her early passion for film.