Nick Jonas has described his longstanding admiration for Paul Rudd, a relationship that blossomed on the set of their upcoming film, *Power Ballad*. In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Jonas reflected on his excitement when he first met the Marvel actor, noting that he had been a fan long before their paths crossed professionally.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/nick-jonas-paul-rudd-power-ballad-premiere-060126-6a12fc886dcd4358955c6b970a44bc6d.jpg)
Recalling the moment of their first encounter, Jonas, 33, described how Rudd, 57, made a dramatic entrance reminiscent of a classic film star when he joined the cast on set. “I remember you just appeared out of the curtain, just arrived onto the scene,” Jonas remarked, expressing how striking the moment was for him. This initial meeting came after they had heard about each other through mutual friends, which heightened Jonas’s anticipation.
The pair found common ground almost instantly during their initial discussions. Jonas mentioned his fondness for Rudd’s 2014 comedy, *They Came Together*, revealing that he owned a signed poster of the film. This special birthday gift had been arranged by their mutual friend, Jack McBrayer, who took the initiative to acquire the autographs of the entire cast for Jonas’s 30th birthday. “So thank you for that,” Jonas said to Rudd, highlighting the significance of the film in his admiration for the actor.
*They Came Together* is a satirical take on romantic comedies, featuring Rudd and Amy Poehler as opposites embroiled in a chaotic love story. Rudd shared that he was deeply moved by the gesture of signing the poster for Jonas. “That blew me away because Jack came to the set and said, ‘This is for Nick’s birthday,’” Rudd recalled, expressing surprise and gratitude that Jonas appreciated the film as much as he did.
In their latest project, *Power Ballad*, Jonas and Rudd portray characters from vastly different musical backgrounds. Jonas plays a well-known singer, while Rudd takes on the role of a wedding band musician whose idea for a song is stolen by Jonas’s character. The film explores themes of rivalry and creativity within the music industry, adding another layer to their professional relationship.
Interestingly, while Jonas had long admired Rudd’s work, the feeling was mutual. At the film’s premiere, Rudd praised Jonas’s acting skills, saying he was “amazed” at the subtleties of his performance. “He did things that were kind of so subtle and really deft,” Rudd noted, adding that he found it impressive how Jonas conveyed complex emotions without saying a word.
After the filming wrapped, Rudd had the opportunity to see the completed film, which left him further impressed by Jonas’s portrayal. “When I saw the movie, it was like, ‘Oh my God.’ There were scenes that I wasn’t there to film, and yeah, he knocked me out,” Rudd said, reinforcing his admiration for Jonas’s talent.
Both actors seem to share a mutual respect and camaraderie that extends beyond their roles in *Power Ballad*. With Jonas previously expressing his fanhood, and Rudd’s recent praise for his co-star’s abilities, it is clear that their collaboration has fostered a genuine connection both on and off the screen.
As they prepare for the film’s release, fans can look forward to seeing the chemistry between two actors who deeply respect each other’s craft. With such a positive rapport and a unique storyline, *Power Ballad* is set to capture the interest of both their fanbases.