Arlo the Alligator Boy Interview

Arlo The Alligator Boy is streaming now on Netflix. I recently had the pleasure of attending a virtual roundtable with two of the stars of the film as well as director, Ryan Crego. I'm sharing the highlights of our group's conversation including when Ryan knew he found his Arlo.

Arlo the Alligator Boy Interview with Michael J. Woodward, Mary Lambert and Ryan Crego

When viewing the film the messages of positivity and being comfortable with who you are came in loud and clear.

During the round table conversation, the trio talked about the film, the important message it is delivering to kids, the moment Ryan knew he found the voice for Arlo and they looked ahead to the new series coming to Netlifx, I Heart Arlo.

Arlo The Alligator Boy Interview | Important Messaging Behind the Film

Arlo The Alligator Boy is a story you more than likely have heard before (in the film, Arlo leaves the comfort of the home he's always known to go on a journey to find his father whom he's never met) but with very unique characters with very important messages to share.


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Along his journey to New York Arlo creates friendships with a ragtag team of characters.

Of the characters in the film, Michael said Arlo and his friends are, "Really teaching kids, ya know, that you don't have to be a traditional type of person just to make it in the world".

Arlo went searching for his father to try and find his family but he ended up creating a family along the way.

You build home wherever you find community - Mary Lambert on one of the many messages you take away from watching Arlo The Alligator Boy

When kids watch this film they will no doubt gravitate toward a character be it Arlo, Bertie, or Teeny Tiny Tony, Michael said it bas there truly is "a character for everyone".

Arlo The Alligator Boy Interview | When Ryan Found His Arlo

Arlo first came to Ryan Crego as a doodle, a sketch he was drawing  almost 10 years ago!! After his first Arlo pitch was rejected, Ryan put Arlo and the surrounding ideas away and went back to him years later and now we have Arlo The Alligator on Netflix!


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Because he had been living with Arlo for so long, Ryan was on the hunt for who would voice him. After he found Michael on American Idol Ryan says he knew right away! 

I was able to track down Michael's American Idol auction on Youtube, watch the clip for yourself to see the moment Ryan knew he found his Arlo!

Michael is of course used to being in front of the camera thanks to his turn on American Idol, but when talking about hearing his voice, coming from an alligator, it was something he had to get used to:

It was the most awkward thing ever. Let me tell you, because it was me hearing my voice consecutively for like an hour and a half - Michael J. Woodward on the first time he screened Arlo The Alligator

Arlo the Alligator Boy Interview | Looking Towards The Series "I Heart Arlo"

Prior to the release of the film it was announced that Arlo and his friends were getting a series on Netflix titled "I Heart Arlo" documenting their adventures in New York.

Since Arlo The Alligator Boy features such a stellar soundtrack, I was curious to know if audiences would be treated to songs in the series and I was met with an "absolutely" from director, Ryan Crego. 


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Ryan went on to say, "You can't make a show, especially with these two (Woodward & Lambert) without doing music".

(Music) is sort of the heart and soul of the movie and so really wanted to make sure that when we got into that series of it all, that we could carry that with us - Ryan Crego on the new Netflix series, I Heart Arlo

Michael and Mary will reprise their roles in the new series and Mary expressed her excitement for the songs in the show saying, "The songs in the series, really let loose like our  characters  let lose a little bit and I think it has been a really fun thing to try out different genres".

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​Arlo The Alligator Boy is streaming now on Netflix and be on the look out for the follow up series, "I Heart Arlo" hitting Netflix in the future.