Chase Sui Wonders’ Day Off Turns into a Memorable Moment
On a day off from filming The Studio, Chase Sui Wonders decided to visit the set. Staying at a house near the Hollywood Hills, she found her co-stars Seth Rogen and Ike Barinholtz, along with several high-profile guest stars, preparing for a nighttime shoot at the Chateau Marmont.
Reflecting on an Iconic Location
“We were standing outside between setups, admiring the hotel sign with Seth, Ike, and Zac Efron,” she recalls. “It was a special moment, realizing how incredible it was to create art in such a legendary venue. I thought to myself, Wow, the movies.”
A TV Show About the Movie Industry
Although The Studio centers around filmmaking, it is technically a TV series. Rogen, who co-created the show with his longtime collaborator Evan Goldberg, stars as Matt Remick, the well-intentioned head of the fictional Continental Studios facing the challenge of balancing success with integrity while leading an ambitious team.
Wonders Takes on a Challenging New Role
Wonders portrays Quinn, Remick’s increasingly ambitious former assistant, now a creative executive. This role differs from her previous work, where she gained recognition in Gen Z ensemble productions like HBO’s Generations and the slasher film Bodies Bodies Bodies, and it was a role she was eager to embrace.
From Film Enthusiast to Aspiring Actress
Initially, acting wasn’t Wonders’ focus; she studied film at Harvard and contributed humor pieces to The Harvard Lampoon. After graduation, she tried her hand at screenwriting but faced challenges in gaining traction. “I started out in this industry as an underdog, struggling to promote my ideas,” she reflects.
Career Breakthrough and Exciting Opportunities
In 2020, at 23, she got a minor role in Sofia Coppola’s comedy On the Rocks, which was followed by her casting in Generations. After her time on The Studio, she will appear in a major reboot of I Know What You Did Last Summer.
A Demand to Innovate Within the Industry
When Wonders learned that Rogen and Goldberg were developing a new show with Apple TV+, she quickly submitted a self-tape. To her surprise, she was called back to audition with Rogen. “Seth told me to just improvise,” she recalls, admitting the experience was overwhelming yet exhilarating. The moment she got the news about landing the role was equally surreal, occurring while she was visiting a Buddhist temple in Japan with her family.
Drawn to Authenticity in a Complex Industry
The Studio capitalizes on Rogen’s Hollywood connections, featuring cameos from stars like Charlize Theron and Martin Scorsese. It draws inspiration from real-life experiences of the cast and crew. Wonders often gathers ideas for the show, texting Rogen and Goldberg with suggestions for potential storylines. She connects deeply with the underlying themes of the show that tackle the struggles between art and commercialism, sharing her concerns about losing authenticity in the business. “My journey has made me wary of the façades in this industry,” she expresses. “Fortunately, living in New York keeps me grounded.”
