Paul Rudd & Nick Jonas’ New 100% RT Comedy Will Continue A 19-Year Tradition, Says Power Ballad Director

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John Carney, known for heartfelt comedies with musical elements, returns with his latest film, Power Ballad, promising to deliver the same emotional and entertaining experience as his previous work.

The musical comedy-drama is co-written and directed by the creator of Sing Street. It tells the story of Rick, a wedding singer facing a conflict with his band and the realization that his best days might be behind him. While performing at one of his last shows, Rick meets Danny Wilson, a former boy band member whose fame is also declining. The two bond over their shared past success and end up playing music together late into the night.

When Danny turns a song Rick played for him into a massive hit that revives Danny’s career, Rick feels betrayed and determined to get the recognition he deserves. This sets them both on a risky course, forcing them to face the harsh realities of the music industry and the consequences of chasing their dreams.

Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas star as Rick and Danny in Power Ballad. The cast also includes Peter McDonald (from The Penguin, and a co-writer of the film), Marcella Plunkett (a frequent collaborator with the director), Havana Rose Liu (known for Lurker), Jack Reynor (The Mummy), and Sophie Vavasseur (Mr. Malcolm’s List). Power Ballad premiered at the 2026 Dublin International Film Festival and was shown twice at SXSW, where it received overwhelmingly positive reviews and currently boasts a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

At the SXSW festival, ScreenRant’s Ash Crossan spoke with director John Carney about his new film, Power Ballad. Carney, known for 2016’s Sing Street and its popular soundtrack, revealed that Power Ballad will continue his 19-year practice of releasing an official soundtrack featuring original songs performed by the film’s stars – in this case, Paul Rudd and Kevin Jonas.

Carney announced that the soundtrack for Power Ballad will be released on a special two-sided vinyl record. One side will feature songs associated with Paul Rudd’s character, and the other with Nick Jonas’s, with each side displaying a picture of the respective actor. This design reflects the film’s storyline, where the characters battle over ownership of a song, but are ultimately two sides of the same coin.

John Carney explained that the two main characters share a connection, highlighted by a piece of art created early in the film. He and co-writer/actor Peter McDonald always felt the characters were more similar than different, and the accompanying album will reflect that shared quality.

Power Ballad Has A Timely Undercurrent To Its Sweet Story

So, you’re at SXSW with your film, Power Ballad. Could you tell us what the movie is about and why it’s important to you?

My latest film is in line with my other work – it’s a feel-good movie with music at its heart. However, this one explores the complexities of creative collaboration a bit more deeply, looking at issues like ownership, copyright, and how difficult it can be to determine who truly owns a piece of art. It tackles these ideas in an engaging and personal way, focusing on two characters who both believe they wrote the same song.

ScreenRant: Was there a specific thing that happened that launched it?

I didn’t have one specific moment of inspiration. Movie ideas come and go – they pop into your head, feel important for a while, and then fade. It just seemed like the public was becoming interested in something that had previously been mostly an industry debate: lawsuits over intellectual property. A couple of high-profile cases were happening, and people seemed ready for a story exploring what it feels like to have your work stolen, or to accuse someone of stealing from you. It also felt like a good time to examine how strongly people desire things, and how that desire might lead them to bend the rules or take risks they normally wouldn’t.

ScreenRant: Whenever I cover music, there are so many intricacies, like interpolation versus —

It’s funny, isn’t it? These ideas of ownership and rights are things we create to manage our lives and protect ourselves. But ultimately, what lasts is the art itself – the songs and poems – and people don’t necessarily remember who created them. The film explores this idea, and the main character wrestles with the question of owning a piece of something without knowing if they’ll ever be recognized or compensated for it, or if they even should hold onto that ownership. It’s about letting go and realizing you might be part of something bigger than yourself.

I anticipate some criticism for bringing this up, but the recent news of Taylor Swift regaining ownership of her music really sparked public curiosity about how music rights actually work.

Absolutely. The case with John Carney was significant, and then we also handled the matters involving Ed Sheeran and Marvin Gaye.

ScreenRant: Yeah, there was some Katy Perry lawsuit with something.

There are always a few ongoing disputes in the music industry, often pitting artists against each other, with lawyers and agents involved. It’s a high-stakes situation, and I wouldn’t want to be involved! But it does play out like a classic story with heroes, villains, and everything in between. What’s fascinating is that songwriting often begins in a really simple, heartfelt way. Most songwriters have ideas strike them unexpectedly – in a hotel room, or just from everyday life. They aren’t usually trying to write a hit song. So, something that starts as a very personal creation ends up being shared with an audience every night, essentially given away for free. You share your song, and in a way, it becomes theirs, but it’s tricky to figure out what that actually means in terms of ownership and rights.

ScreenRant mentioned that Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas were likely full of funny stories about similar experiences.

John Carney believes this actor naturally embodies the role; he doesn’t have to try. It’s something he instinctively understands, likely because he’s been performing since he was a child. That early experience brought a unique and valuable authenticity to his performance – a reality he didn’t even need to articulate.

ScreenRant asked about the casting choices, and the interviewer admitted the pairing of Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas was unexpected but ultimately brilliant. They said seeing them together made perfect sense, exclaiming, “Oh my God, yeah, Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas. That’s amazing!”

It might seem strange, but the combination actually works well. Strong directing often comes down to good casting, and putting together unexpected pairings can be really effective. In some ways, this film is a buddy movie, even though the characters are initially at odds. They have a funny and charming dynamic early on, which makes the idea of a sequel appealing.

That’s fantastic! It’s amazing how music and film work together. What is it about that combination that you find so appealing?

I always had trouble focusing in school – teachers were constantly telling me to pay attention. I realized that carried over to my writing; I’d get bored easily and start playing music instead. Other writers I worked with found it distracting, but over time, I’ve learned to incorporate that habit into my process. When I get tired of writing on my laptop, I switch to the piano. Thankfully, people seem to like the films I’ve made, so I plan to keep working this way as long as I can.

According to ScreenRant, having ADHD can sometimes be an advantage. They shared a story about their doctor telling them that, while not medical advice, their tendency to jump between ideas was actually beneficial and they didn’t need medication.

You know, it’s funny, I’ve been noticing how much more common terms like ADHD are becoming, especially here in Ireland. It feels like everyone’s getting diagnosed with something! It makes you think back to school – I bet half the kids in my class in the 70s were dealing with similar things, but we just didn’t have the labels for it. Look, getting a proper diagnosis is good, it really is, but I also think it can be a bit limiting. I honestly believe a classroom works best when you recognize each kid as an individual – 32 different people, all with their own quirks. It’s hard to force everyone into the same mold! I’ve definitely learned to take what might have been seen as weaknesses and turn them into strengths, and I’m really grateful for that.

ScreenRant asked, since the conversation was already moving quickly, how much planning goes into the show. They wondered if the team was already working on future episodes.

I don’t make long-term plans because so much is out of my hands, but I always want to make sure my children are provided for. With filmmaking, it’s smart to work on several projects at once. Things often fall through, or get delayed, so having multiple options increases your chances of actually getting a movie made.

ScreenRant asked what advice I’d give to a new filmmaker who’s struggling to begin. Is the key simply to keep writing and practicing? What’s my approach to overcoming that initial hurdle?

You know, as someone who loves movies, I’ve been thinking a lot about what makes a good story. It’s not necessarily about being tough or heroic, but more about this stubborn refusal to quit. It’s like repeatedly knocking on a door that just won’t open, but you keep knocking. And it’s a great time to be a storyteller, honestly. There are so many new ways to express yourself with all the technology available. It doesn’t have to be a traditional 90-minute film or a three-minute song anymore. I think it’s incredibly exciting for young creators coming up now – they can really break the rules and say, “Why limit ourselves to a certain length?” Because let’s face it, that’s not what people want these days. We all consume media differently. I think these innovative young artists will figure it out, and they’ll be ahead of the curve. I’m probably going to be a little slow to catch on, but I really hope people embrace all the tools available – phones, recording devices, even AI, which honestly doesn’t scare me as much as it seems to scare others. Creativity is just part of being human, and I think the kids will always find a way.

ScreenRant: Last question. What is your favorite movie soundtrack of all time?

John Carney feels Saturday Night Fever has a truly integrated soundtrack. The music isn’t just in the film, it’s woven into the story, with each song linked to a specific, memorable scene and helping to move the plot along. Despite being primarily disco, the soundtrack is surprisingly diverse and well-rounded.

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2026-03-25 20:50