Carney’s ‘Power Ballad’ Stars Paul Rudd, Nick Jonas
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- John Carney describes his new film Power Ballad as a musical drama starring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas, focusing on two musicians at different career stages.
- Paul Rudd plays Rick Power, a former would‑be rock star now leading a wedding band while prioritizing his Irish wife, daughter, and family life.
- Nick Jonas portrays Danny Wilson, a former boy‑band singer trying to launch a solo career, whose collaboration with Rick leads to a conflict over a possible song theft.
- John Carney says the casting of Rudd and Jonas was essential, noting they “make the movie their own” and could not be replaced by anyone else.
- Peter McDonald (co‑writer) suggested the song “I Wish” for a key jam session, and Paul Rudd contributed the classic wedding tune “Celebration” by Kool and the Gang to the band’s setlist.
- Jack Reynor was cast as Danny’s manager, bringing a swaggerful “American jackass” vibe that Carney felt fit the role.
- John Carney reflects on the fear of public singing and the artistic integrity of actors like Rudd, who he says “never made a deal with the devil” and avoids commercial ads.
Why it matters: Fans of Carney’s music‑driven storytelling gain a film that leans on the real‑world personas of Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas, while the actors reinforce their artistic credibility by shunning commercial ad work and embracing the vulnerability of public singing, and the film’s use of classic 80s rock songs adds nostalgic appeal.
