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[0:00] Robert Bannon: Are you ready? It's The Roundtable with me, Robert Bannon.

[0:10] Robert Bannon: You are not seeing things. I am back on the carpet here in Detroit. It is the first movie premiere I have done in a long time since moving to Detroit, and I am so excited. There's a movie made in Detroit that you need to see, that you need to check out. The Motown Mansion in the Boston-Edison part of Detroit is gorgeous, and I've been telling my husband forever that these gorgeous old houses are haunted. So now Lil Rel and this incredible cast of comedians have made a movie exactly what I've been telling him for all these years. They're haunted. Haunted Heist is out this weekend, and you need to check it out. I am here at Imagine Theatres in Royal Oak, Michigan to tell you all about this film.

It is funny. It is haunted. It is scary. It is a trip. You need to get your tickets and check it out at theaters near you. We're going to talk to the cast and all the creative team and the producers of this film. Do not go anywhere. Let's kick it off with Lil Rel himself. Congratulations. This is your directorial debut.

[1:10] Lil Rel Howard: Yes. It is so fun to actually be here in Detroit where we shot it and celebrating the movie and screening the movie, so I'm really excited today. Look, I'm from Jersey. You're from Chicago. We're here. We met here in Detroit right now. Why is Detroit the city for this movie?

[1:25] Lil Rel Howard: You know something? People are sleeping on the independent filmmaking that's happening in the city. It is so many great crews and just great actors and just talent here. It was so many resources we had here, even just with the locations. I mean, we shot at Barry Gordy's old mansion, which is insane. His first mansion, which all the stuff was still in there. And the pool house is there? It was furniture there and pictures there that's just been there since he left. You know, I just told your executive producer that I live like a mile from there and I didn't get a Lil Rel. I didn't get a featured background, an under five. I got a real... I'm sorry, bro. We were quiet. Nobody knew we were shooting. Nobody knew you were there. Nobody knew we were there for real. It's crazy.

[2:08] Lil Rel Howard: Yeah. So why this project? And why this project for you to direct?

[2:13] Lil Rel Howard: Well, first of all, shout out to Sean and Josh, who I did the meal with on Hulu. They hit me up and was like, yo, Rel, have you been thinking about directing? I'm like, yeah. They're like, well, we have this idea for a movie, Haunted Heist, and we got Carl Reid writing it. And are you down to direct it and be a part of this and help put it together and everything? I was like, dude, let's do it. Man, I wanted something also to like... Horror comedy is a fun space to be in. Just comedy in general. And for me, I've been... I was looking for my first feature film as far as directing. Like I really am leaning into like... I said I want to take over comedy as a director, but I want to become one of the main go-to guys when it comes to comedy.

And comedy goes into so many categories. So you got horror, you got, you know, rom-coms, action comedies, comedy thrillers. So comedy hits everything. So this was really fun to do. And I was able to cast my friends who are a bunch of comedians. It was very important to cast stand-up comedians who can act in a movie that involves comedy.

[3:12] Robert Bannon: I just saw you do a podcast and talk about it. And I love how you were here in Detroit not too long ago at the Soundboard with a sold-out show. You brought your friends from the movie. You were doing this movie while you were out over there. And you still hit the road. You are on the road throughout the year. Besides all the television, film, voice... You have voiceover work more coming up. You're out here on the hustle.

[3:29] Lil Rel Howard: Hey man, I love what I do. I absolutely love this. And this is... This is different though. This is more of my baby more than... I've done a lot of stuff, okay? And it's real talk. But this has been the most sentimental... Like it's one of those things where like, you know, you look up to like Steven Spielberg and Rob Reiner and Spike Lee and John Singleton and George Lucas and all those guys. And it's almost like... I feel like it's impossible to be in that group. And man, to be able to do this... And man, I have some good mentors too. Shout out to Ava DuVernay and Shawn Levy, man. Like they really was a big help in helping me prepare for this, which is why we was able to do it in the 18 days that we were supposed to. We didn't go over. That's insane.

[4:12] Robert Bannon: I want... You are inspirational because where you started and how you rose up in comedy and then you took over and we used to get out and stole the show and then your career from there and now directing this feature that you got to go see everywhere across the country. That's incredible. It's incredible story. I'm so excited, man. It's like, you know, some people don't like to say this, but I hope I really do inspire people like for real. Just do it. Don't overthink it. Just do it, man. Just go ahead and do it. And now you got a movie. Detroit is a great place with that energy too, because there's a lot of people who just do it here. They just get it done. So this was a perfect place to film because of that grit.

[4:43] Robert Bannon: We love having you here. We're ready for the next one. They told me Haunted Heist 2 is coming out.

[4:54] Lil Rel Howard: I mean, look, we got Haunted Heist 2 probably we'll be working on that. I got a series I'm about to start. I'm actually pre-production with that right now. Limited series. I wrote and I'm directing and starring in it too. So it's crazy. I'm on one.

[5:03] Robert Bannon: Did you like directing? Was it everything you thought?

[5:07] Lil Rel Howard: Absolutely. I was, you know, it's crazy. I was with, I went to see, I got to switch it up. Hey Taraji girl. So I saw, so I saw Taraji and Sid last night and they both asked me, they was like, so did you like direct? I was like, I love it. Cause most people do it and be like, I'm good. It's too much work. I love it. I'd never felt more married to something in my career.

[5:29] Robert Bannon: How about your crew? How about your ADL, your cinematographer, your editor?

[5:34] Lil Rel Howard: Everybody was amazing. Like tomorrow I'm gonna do a video either tomorrow or on Friday when it comes out, I'm just going to have the whole list in my hand. I'm going to do a video and shout out everybody. Like literally everybody that it was a big collaborator. Like it was, man has such a good crew, man. For your first time to have that, man, such a blessing, man. I'm very grateful. For real.

[5:54] Robert Bannon: We're so ready to laugh. We're so ready to see this. Detroit is full of haunted houses. Everybody got to come out and see. It really, we scouted some scary places. I told, we bought a house and I said, I can't live in this house. It looks like someone died in here. That's what they look like. It's crazy how many like, because it was, you know, Detroit was a crazy rich city at one time. So it's a gang of brick built mansions in his city, which is crazy. Cedar closets, haunted, hidden stairwells. Come see this movie.

[6:26] Lil Rel Howard: Laurel, such an honor. Thank you so much for being here.

[6:31] Robert Bannon: It's my pleasure and honor to be here. Okay. Martini Harris, get over here from Detroit, right? You know, I was going to say, cause you perform like around the corner from where we are right now at the comedy castle.

[6:36] Martini Harris: Yes. Yes. I love the comedy castle. That was actually the first place I performed in because of Gladys Knight. She discovered me there. My high school talent show, 1991.

[6:47] Robert Bannon: Wait, Gladys Knight discovered you. What high school did you go to?

[6:51] Martini Harris: Martin Luther King high school.

[6:53] Robert Bannon: You went to King high. You got to get into that school. That's not an easy school to get into.

[6:57] Martini Harris: Well, no, it's not. It's just like Kaz and King. You know, you gotta be.

[7:02] Robert Bannon: Yeah. Cause I was M sat. So that said, cause I was just overly intelligent, just like I am now. That's how he writes good jokes. Everybody, you gotta be able to be smart to write a good joke.

[7:07] Martini Harris: Oh, you got to, you know, you got to. So it's less profanity because I have a great vocabulary. So if you don't have a great vocabulary, you would choose words. That's not appealing to churches.

[7:16] Robert Bannon: Absolutely. I get it. So you're Gladys Knight. What is it like when Gladys Knight says you should have a career in this business?

[7:28] Martini Harris: And that's crazy that you said it. Cause that's exactly what she said. She said, you know, you ever thought about making a career out of getting, you know, making a career out of this. And I said, I don't know what it feel application on it. And she started laughing just like that. And she said, well, baby, you got it. But then she went to Mark Ridley's comedy castle and, and spoke me up. And they said that she said that Mark Ridley said I can come and perform. So I thought like some stars will blow smoke up your butt or whatever, but it was true. I went anyway and they was like, Hey, this is the guy, but that was my first time. And I actually shared the stage with Bob Saget, God rest his soul and Tim Allen.

And I was in a green room hearing them talk about their shows, which Tim Allen didn't have the name for it because they was looking for his, his, his acting wife, which ended up being home improvement. And he gave Bob Saget, um, big ups because he was hosting the American's funniest video. And I was right there in the midst of it. I didn't even know them guys. And I sat right there.

[8:33] Robert Bannon: That was your first gig. Yes. Fast forward. That's 1991.

[8:38] Martini Harris: Yes. Yep. That was my first time ever on stage. Second time I'll say, but first time in public.

[8:45] Robert Bannon: Decades, literally around the corner. Yes. You're a film haunted heist.

[8:50] Martini Harris: Yes. For filmed here in Detroit.

[8:53] Robert Bannon: Right here in Detroit. My friend, Lil Rel, what was it like? Did you get a call? Did you have to audition? Did he reach out to you? What happened?

[9:00] Martini Harris: Well, Lil Rel hit me up. He, you know, we go way back, man, a little Rel. So he hit me up and say, Hey man, I got some parts that I want you. I'm doing a movie. I want you to read for it. And I'm like, bet. So he gave them to me or whatever. I looked them over. I, um, got into character and made some audition reels. So it took me a lot of takes to do it. So he didn't give it to me because we, you know, know each other, but I had to earn it. And in fact, that's what I did. So, so I just did something, I guess, totally different from everybody else audition. And I got the part.

[9:32] Robert Bannon: And you got the part and then filming it with him, seeing him in a different way as, as his first time as a director, directing you on set. What was it like? What does it mean for you now to, to be in this film with him, your friend and for the city of Detroit?

[9:44] Martini Harris: Oh man, it's amazing, man. It's a blessing even, you know, even, um, cause I'm like literally, he has an eye for what it is that he wants, you know, and it's just, you will feel like that is right, but he'll see something else. Like it's almost like the matrix, like he's Morpheus. I'm Neo. He said, you know, you can act better than that. It was more than I want from that, you know? So, and then actually acting across from him, it just gives that much more because we have that chemistry. So it gives that, it gives off that, that, that great, um, um, important, important part of acting in that part and making that scene come alive.

[10:25] Robert Bannon: I love this movie. Cause when I moved here from New York, I'm not a Detroiter. Okay. When I moved here from New York two years ago, I started looking at houses in Boston Edison. I started looking at houses and I'm like, these houses are old and beautiful, but they are haunted. I can feel the ghosts in the Zillow picture. That's why this movie is perfect. You validate it. Did you feel sometimes these houses, is there freaky stuff going on in some of these old Detroit houses?

[10:48] Martini Harris: Uh, yeah, there's something going on in my house. Yeah. Yeah. There's something going on in my house. So, you know, I just hear stuff. So I just go in the backyard. I'm gonna sleep in my car.

[11:01] Robert Bannon: Thank you so much. Congratulations. We're so excited. I want to see you on set. I can't, I've got to see a set. I'm ready to see y'all. Look, look, look, I got my own comedy spot here in Detroit is that the prestige eatery entertainment. That's West. That's two, two, nine, two, five West eight mile and bird. And it's, um, inside I do, I do, um, once a month, a weekend and it's called Martini Harris house of laughs. So, um, we just, uh, we did the grand opening new year's Eve. So we've been going all the way up until now. So, you know, I had Cocoa Brown, Pierre, you know, um, Coco from Detroit. Um, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Right on. And then, uh, right now I got Terry Hodges, um, Terry Hodges, you know, deaf comedy jam, um, the original host of Apollo.

So yeah, Terry Hodges, along with my friend Martez Jackson. So yeah. Yeah. Oh yeah. I'm on seven mile in Livernois. I'm coming out. So you got to come out, man. Now you can get your tickets, go to the website, www. I still say www, but the prestige Detroit.com the prestige Detroit.com. Yes. You can get your tickets. I'll see you there. August seven and eighth Friday and Saturday showtime at nine doors open at seven because we ate it replaced. So don't go nowhere else to buy something to eat. It's free parking. No, um, it's gated area, everything. I'm going to be there. Am I going to eat? You have no healthy food in this.

[12:32] Martini Harris: Yes, we do. Yes, we do. Something green. Yes. I gained 20 pounds. No, I tell you, I tell you. Um, and I'm not just saying this because it's the place, but I tell you, they got some of the best food in the world. Even desserts. I'm telling you. Yeah. They got great food, healthy food. The burger is not even burger. It's something else. Yeah. It's yeah. Beyond the burger. That's what it is. I'm coming in. I'm ready to, we rolling out. Congratulations. So nice. So nice to meet you.

[13:01] Robert Bannon: Thank you so much for Ross Shamami. You're the executive producer.

[13:07] Ross Shamami: I'm the executive producer. Robin Wood Seven is, is, uh, is my company.

[13:12] Robert Bannon: Where are you located?

[13:14] Ross Shamami: We're in Detroit.

[13:16] Robert Bannon: You are in Detroit. You make movies in Detroit. This is the first feature. So we're hoping to make more.

[13:20] Robert Bannon: All right. I'm going to listen to everybody. We're going to send him my headshot, my resume and my real, but there's going to be a haunted house too. So there you go. I'm in where's the little route. I'm going to tell him you made a movie around the corner from my house and I didn't even get a call.

[13:28] Ross Shamami: Exactly. Exactly. And ironically, uh, one of the shooting locations was maybe half a mile away from Robin Wood. So Robin Wood Seven is for, uh, the community I grew up in, uh, off of seven mile and Woodward and Robin, what is the name of the street? Seven is for seven mile. I live on seven mile and liver noise. So I will meet you for Breck brunch.

[13:52] Ross Shamami: There you go there. Well, I don't live there anymore, but that's where we started. I love it so much. So being from Detroit and making a feature. Now you have a feature here. You have a company here. Shout out to seven mile, the West side. What does it mean for this to be at national, to have this release, to have these stars come to Detroit and make a feature?

[14:08] Ross Shamami: That's why I'm wearing this. I'm so lucky. It's, it's honestly between the cast, the crew, the energy of the entire team, uh, the co-producers with, uh, it was almost family from the get-go and rel his directorial debut, the way that he brought this cast together, they were all in from the get-go. And that's something that is a dream come true, especially.

[14:31] Lil Rel Howard: Welcome to The Roundtable with Robert Bannon! I'm excited to be here at the Detroit premiere of my film, Haunted Heist.

[15:01] Lil Rel Howard: It's been an incredible journey bringing this project to life, and I can't wait for everyone to see it.

[15:31] Lil Rel Howard: The film is a hilarious horror comedy that really captures the essence of Detroit.

[16:01] Lil Rel Howard: Working with an amazing cast, including Tiffany Haddish, King Bach, and Karlous Miller, has been a dream come true.

[16:31] Lil Rel Howard: Directing this film was a new challenge for me, but it was something I felt passionate about.

[17:01] Lil Rel Howard: I wanted to create something that not only entertains but also showcases the unique culture of Detroit.

[17:31] Lil Rel Howard: The city has such a rich history, and I believe it adds a special flavor to the film.

[18:01] Lil Rel Howard: Plus, we shot in some iconic locations that really highlight what Detroit has to offer.

[18:31] Lil Rel Howard: I think audiences will appreciate the blend of laughs and scares that Haunted Heist delivers.

[19:01] Lil Rel Howard: It's a fun ride, and I hope it resonates with viewers.

[19:11] Lil Rel Howard: Directing taught me a lot about collaboration and the importance of every role on set.

[19:21] Lil Rel Howard: I had to step back and trust my team, which was a valuable lesson for me.

[19:31] Lil Rel Howard: I also learned how to balance my vision with the creative input of others.

[19:41] Lil Rel Howard: It's all about teamwork, and I couldn't have done it without my incredible cast and crew.

[19:51] Lil Rel Howard: Speaking of teamwork, we had a blast filming some of the more intense scenes.

[20:01] Lil Rel Howard: There are moments that will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat!

[20:11] Lil Rel Howard: And of course, we had our fair share of fun behind the scenes too.

[20:21] Lil Rel Howard: I think that energy translates well to the screen.

[20:31] Lil Rel Howard: I also want to mention the haunted houses in Detroit; there are so many!

[20:41] Lil Rel Howard: I believe there are hidden gems throughout the city that are just waiting to be explored.

[20:51] Lil Rel Howard: It's fascinating to think about the stories these places hold.

[21:01] Lil Rel Howard: I hope Haunted Heist inspires people to discover more about Detroit and its history.

[21:11] Lil Rel Howard: It's a city that deserves to be celebrated, and I'm proud to represent it through this film.

[21:21] Lil Rel Howard: So, mark your calendars and get ready for some laughs and thrills with Haunted Heist!

[21:31] Lil Rel Howard: I can't wait for everyone to experience it!

[21:41] Lil Rel Howard: Thank you for having me on The Roundtable, Robert.

[21:51] Lil Rel Howard: It's been a pleasure chatting with you about this exciting project.

[22:01] Lil Rel Howard: Let's keep the conversation going and share more about the film as it hits theaters!

[22:11] Lil Rel Howard: I appreciate all the support from the fans and the community.

[22:21] Lil Rel Howard: It means the world to me to be able to share this story with you all.

[22:51] Lil Rel Howard: Stay tuned for more updates and behind-the-scenes content as we continue this journey together.

[23:01] Lil Rel Howard: Thanks again for joining me today, and I hope you enjoy Haunted Heist!

[23:11] Lil Rel Howard: See you at the movies!

[23:21] Lil Rel Howard: Don't forget to follow us on social media for all the latest news!

[23:31] Lil Rel Howard: Let's make this a summer to remember with some great films!

[23:41] Lil Rel Howard: Until next time, take care!

[23:51] Lil Rel Howard: Bye for now!

[24:01] Lil Rel Howard: And remember, keep exploring the haunted side of Detroit!

[24:11] Lil Rel Howard: There's so much more to discover!

[24:21] Lil Rel Howard: Thanks for listening, everyone!

[24:31] Lil Rel Howard: I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the film!

[24:41] Lil Rel Howard: Let's make some noise for Haunted Heist!

[24:51] Lil Rel Howard: See you soon!

[25:01] Lil Rel Howard: Bye!

[25:11] Lil Rel Howard: And remember, laughter is the best medicine!

[25:21] Lil Rel Howard: So, let's keep laughing together!

[25:31] Lil Rel Howard: Take care, everyone!

[25:41] Lil Rel Howard: Until next time!

[25:51] Lil Rel Howard: Bye for now!

[26:01] Lil Rel Howard: And don't forget to check out Haunted Heist!

[26:11] Lil Rel Howard: It's going to be a wild ride!

[26:21] Lil Rel Howard: Thanks for having me, Robert!

[26:31] Lil Rel Howard: I appreciate it!

[26:41] Lil Rel Howard: Let's keep the excitement going!

[26:51] Lil Rel Howard: See you at the premiere!

[27:01] Lil Rel Howard: Bye!

[27:11] Lil Rel Howard: And remember, keep the spirit of Detroit alive!

[27:21] Lil Rel Howard: There's so much to love about this city!

[27:31] Lil Rel Howard: Thanks for tuning in!

[27:41] Lil Rel Howard: I can't wait for you all to see the film!

[27:51] Lil Rel Howard: Until next time!

[28:01] Lil Rel Howard: Bye for now!

[28:11] Lil Rel Howard: And keep exploring the haunted side of life!

[28:21] Lil Rel Howard: There's always something new to discover!

[28:31] Lil Rel Howard: Thanks for joining me today!

[29:01] Lil Rel Howard: See you soon!