Exclusive: Jahzir Bruno Talks Making Film Debut With Octavia Spencer In ‘The Witches’

Now playing on HBO Max is the family fun adventure Roald Dahl’s The Witches, directed and co-written by Robert Zemeckis.

Zemeckis brings a fresh sense of humor along with warmth and the unexpected to what is sure to be a Halloween favorite! It’s a wickedly funny and heartwarming tale about a young boy who stumbles upon a secret coven of witches and, with the help of his loving grandmother, must try to stop their evil plan to turn all the world’s children into mice. “Roald Dahl’s The Witches” is the film the whole family can enjoy together this Halloween season.

The incredible cast includes powerhouse performances by Anne Hathaway as the sly, menacing Grand High Witch and Octavia Spencer as the tough but loving grandmother who will fight her to the end. Stanley Tucci is the hotel manager unwittingly hosting the witches’ convention; Kristin Chenoweth lends her familiar voice and energy to the action; and the heart of the film is the young boy, played by Jahzir Bruno [adult narration by Chris Rock], who becomes a brave but unlikely hero by teaming with his friends and grandma to stop the witches’ evil plan.

For Jahzir Bruno, this is the first big role for the Atlanta native. Having had his first speaking role in the award winning series, “Atlanta,” Bruno has quickly elevated to another level with a starring role in this film and then another stellar performance in the upcoming “The Christmas Chronicles 2” opposite Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn.

BlackFilmandTV.com recently caught up with Bruno as he talked about doing his first feature.

How did this role come about for you?

Jahzir Bruno: I auditioned for it. It took about a week for them to call me and they said, I got the role. My agent called me. I was super excited and so happy because it's actually my first movie. I just looked forward to it.

Did you have any acting lessons before this? Did you have an acting coach?

Jahzir Bruno: Yes, I had an acting coach. Every day after school, I would always go to the studio. We would play acting games that will help improve my acting.

Being that this film is based on a book, and there was a previous film, had you read the book prior to doing a movie? Have you seen your original movie?

Jahzir Bruno: I read the book and watched the movie before I got the role.

How would you best describe the character that you’re playing?

Jahzir Bruno: When I'm actually a human, my parents had died. That made him a little down and depressed. But he got that courage back when he turned into a mouse. He just turned into another person. That's what I really liked about that.

How was working with Octavia Spencer?

Jahzir Bruno: I loved working with her. She's very sweet and kind. I feel like I picked up experience from watching her because she was so real. It made me actually feel like I was her grandson. I felt like I would have to get on this level to so she can feel like I'm her grandson.

What did you learn from Robert Zemekis as a director?

Jahzir Bruno: I also loved working with him. He is the funniest guy in the world. What I learned from him is to really work hard and "do what you do best.”

How was working with green screen for the CGI scenes?

Jahzir Bruno: I had to do voice over and they put on the suit on it. They put the suit so it can track my movements. I had to act like a mouse. I had to move like the mouse and the climb and say the lines. What I really liked about that was that when we were doing it, the suit actually lit up. That was fun.

The film comes out close to Halloween. Is this a fun film to watch?

Jahzir Bruno: I think it's fun to watch. I think kids will really enjoy it. It's a very family friendly movie. So yeah.

You also have another film coming out, The Christmas Chronicles 2 with Kurt Russell. How would you describe your character?

Jahzir Bruno: Jack is a nerdy not so adventurous kid. Things change when he team's up with Kate Pierce and Mr. And Mrs. Claus after they find out this troublemaker name Belsnickel is plotting in to destroy Christmas forever. But at the end, it turns out he's a pretty cool and great kid.

For The Witches and your first film, was it ever challenging for you because you are one of the main characters?

Jahzir Bruno: Being a young Black actor, yes. Other than that, Robert Zemekis helped me a lot. I felt like I got the support that I needed for my first movie, so I'm really thankful.

When you’re not in a film, what are you normally doing?

Jahzir Bruno: I'm in school right now, virtually, but I can't wait to get back to work.