Interview by: Ananya Swaroop | Photographer: Justin Friesen
Max Parker enters the world of Shakespeare in the highly anticipated film Juliet & Romeo, which reimagines the famous play as a pop musical. Parker talked to NYOTA about making his acting debut, working on an album between projects, and acting alongside Jason Isaacs and Rebel Wilson.
You’re making your acting debut in Juliet & Romeo. What was it like stepping into the world of Shakespeare for your first major role?
Stepping into the world of Shakespeare brought a wave of nostalgia from my high school experience with theatre. I spent all four years at an arts-based high school studying drama and immersed in theatre, and I first encountered Romeo and Juliet in my Grade 9 English class, eagerly volunteering to read Romeo’s lines, hand straight up, ‘pick me!’ haha. Being involved in this film feels like a full-circle moment, a tribute to the early spark that first drew me into the classic love story and its link to plays and the stage, so many years ago. Filming on real sets in Italy was unbelievable. We worked in and around actual castles, rode horses, wielded real swords, and wore period-accurate costumes – it was a fully immersive experience, and honestly, a dream come true.
How did you prepare for your role? What was the most challenging part of playing Benvolio?
I had plenty of time to prepare for this role. We had about three weeks of rehearsals covering stunt training, horse riding, dance choreography, and vocal recording sessions for the soundtrack. Those moments were crucial in helping me figure out how Benvolio would move, carry himself, and even what kinds of facial expressions he might have, so the camera could capture all the layers of the character beyond just the scripted lines. When it came to dialogue, building real relationships with my castmates outside of filming was essential. It gave me the trust I needed to fully lean into each scene. Honestly, a lot of the off-set experiences ended up shaping my portrayal of Benvolio just as much as the work on set. Also, as many people know, filming a movie usually means that you can be filming the last scene of the movie on day one and earlier scenes elsewhere on the timeline. That was new to me. So, even though shooting my first movie was an absolute dream, there were also moments when I had to learn how to keep myself company when others were on set and vice versa when immersed in a scene with many actors; the entire experience taught me more than I ever could’ve imagined about the world of film.
How was it working alongside Rebel Wilson, Jason Isaacs, and Rupert Everett? Was there a moment on set that left a lasting impact on you?
I remember filming a small scene with Jason Isaacs alongside my castmates, Alex and Zac. We were all pretty nervous, not just because we were sharing a scene with the Jason Isaacs, but because we had to draw swords during the take, something we hadn’t really practiced much. On top of that, we were under a massive time crunch, so we had to nail it within two or three takes, and I think we got it on the second. It ended up looking great in the final cut, and even though it’s just a small moment, I’ll never forget how exhilarating it was for all of us. There was also a moment with Rebel when we were all in the church scene and in between takes she cracked some small jokes to me, whispering. It was a very sombre scene and Rebel lightened the moment in between. It was unexpected but fun! The iconic actors were wonderful to work on set with. Their intentions are pure and they just wanted to make a great movie like all of us!
You’ve already made waves with your music. What made you pivot to acting?
Well, I’m not really pivoting to acting. I’ve been studying and performing theatre throughout high school and university, so acting has been a part of my life for nearly a decade now. In a way, all that school training has been preparing me for this role without me even realizing it. I still email my high school drama teacher to keep him updated on everything that’s happening. He was one of my first creative champions, helping me find my footing onstage in a whole new medium when I was just 15. Having a mentor like that in my early years made all the difference, and I’m so grateful I made the gut decision to attend that arts-based high school. It’s a choice that ultimately led me to this moment, and I’m really glad I trusted it. But along that same time frame, I was writing and performing my own songs, so my music and my acting have really been corresponding parts of who I am as an overall artist. I am also obsessed with visual arts, regularly painting and drawing when I need to still myself from all the chaos of what life brings especially during the post pandemic.
How do you hope Juliet & Romeo introduces a new side of Max Parker to the world?
If people recognize me in this film, especially fans who already know my music, I hope it gives them a new perspective on who I am as an artist. I’ve never been tied to just one medium. I love both music and acting, and as I mentioned already, I even practice visual art as a hobby. What I know for sure is that I love creating. No matter where it leads me, I’ve always trusted that this is what I was meant to do because I feel most myself when immersed in the arts. In this movie, you’ll see me portray a cautious, worried character. I found a lot of myself in Benvolio as a young adult, which made showing up for even the tiniest scenes feel surprisingly natural. This film will reveal a more vulnerable side of me for sure, and I’m okay with that.
Are there any similarities between how you work on an album and how you prepared for this role?
I believe an album has to create its own world, sonically speaking, and that’s something movies do so well, too. Right now, I’m working on a very different and personal music project, one that involves a larger narrative I’ve created and characters I’m still in the process of fleshing out. Like a movie, an album takes time. It has to be thought through again and again to make sure there are no loose ends. For the film, I recall that every evening in the trailer, when I picked up the script, I had to really focus on what Benvolio was feeling at that exact moment. In the same way, each song on an album carries a certain vibe or emotion that ties into a bigger storyline. Sometimes, songs can feel like scenes, each one capturing a moment in time.
Outside of the spotlight, you’re incredibly active—tennis, the gym, longboarding. How do these physical outlets support your creativity?
Absolutely! Staying active is vital for my performance. At the end of the day, it’s all about getting the blood flowing to stay mentally healthy. Working out clears the ‘brain fog,’ as people call it, and helps me think and act more clearly, solve problems faster, and overall, just feel happier. Right now, the gym is my main go-to, but I’ve got my longboards sitting in my room as we speak and they’re staring me down while I answer this question, haha! It’s a beautiful spring day here in Toronto, so I might have to take one out for a ride today.
You’re clearly just getting started—what kind of roles or projects are you hoping to take on next, either musically or on screen?
When it comes to acting, my focus is on film and TV. I’ve been auditioning a lot lately and just putting in the reps. For me, it’s all about taking it one step at a time and trusting that future projects will come when the time is right. Musically, I’m working on an album in between the auditions. That’s where I feel most connected to my creative flow. Music is such a huge part of my life, and because of that, this next project will take some time, but it’s definitely on its way. I’m just so excited for what’s ahead!