Last year, actor Jason Mitchell burst into the public consciousness thanks to his breakout role as Easy-E in the critically acclaimed box office smash Straight Outta Compton. The role won him praise from fans and critics alike, as well as a Screen Actors Guild nomination. Before he will be seen in the much anticipated Kong: Skull Island alongside Tom Hiddleston, John Goodman, Brie Larson, and Samuel L. Jackson, Mitchell is showcasing his comedy chops in the much anticipated action comedy Keanu, starring Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele.

We sat down with Mitchell to talk about his latest role and what it was like to have some fun in a comedy after a drama like Straight Outta Compton. Mitchell also discussed working with Key and Peele, his impressive collection of tattoos, and how Keanu helped him learn an important lesson: an appreciation for pop icon George Michael.

Inspired by movies like New Jack City or Tango & Cash, Keanu sees Key and Peele as a pair of hopelessly straight-laced cousins who are on a mission to rescue one’s beloved kitten from a catnapping. Key and Peele’s Clarence and Rell must impersonate ruthless killers in order to infiltrate a street gang and retrieve the purloined feline. It’s there they meet Mitchell’s Bud, a tough guy who makes Clarence and Rell nervous. Very nervous.

Keanu, written by Jordan Peele & Alex Rubens, directed by Peter Atencio, and starring Jordan Peele, Keegan-Michael Key, Tiffany Haddish, Method Man, Jason Mitchell, with Luis Guzman, Nia Long, and Will Forte, is in theaters now.

Featured Image: New Line Cinema