There’s an interesting pairing schematic to this week’s Tyler Perry produced comedy Peeples. Craig Robinson and Kerry Washington star as a seemingly perfect couple… The only hitch: she’s yet to introduce her beau to the family (David Alan Grier & S. Epatha Merkerson). Both Robinson and Grier are primarily thought of as comedians, the former – a utility player in pretty much every comedy of the past five years, the latter – a founding member of one of the great sketch comedy shows: In Living Color. Their other halves however are played by dramatic actresses: Washington – the elusive object of affection in Django Unchained, Merkerson – the longest running cast member of Law & Order. The intermingling of drama and comedy performers lends the film a strong balance as a ‘dramedy’. Sure Peeples is a familiar riff on Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner/Meet the Parents; but it’s also a surprisingly charming film – and that can all be attributed to the cast and their interplay within.

In the following interview with Robinson and Washington, the duo discuss how Peeples allowed them to branch out from their comfort zones and how they choose film projects given their heavy television schedules. Robinson also discusses his penchant for playing children’s teachers (the comedian has a background in education) and gives a brief update on the status of Hot Tub Time Machine 2. For the full interview, hit the jump.

A bit of a casting change is being made for the sequel to the 2010 comedy Hot Tub Time Machine.  Unfortunately John Cusack—the star of the first film—is not returning for follow-up, but on the plus side the very funny Adam Scott is in talks to take over the leading role in the sequel.  The Parks and Recreation star is in early negotiations to play an entirely new leading man in the film, as it appears that Cusack’s character will be written out.  Original cast members Craig Robinson, Rob Corddry, and Clark Duke are all nearing deals to return, as is director Steve Pink.  Hit the jump for more.

At WonderCon a few days ago, I landed an extended video interview with Craig Robinson.  While he was in attendance to help promote Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s awesome-looking end of the world comedy, This Is the End (click here for the red band trailer and our panel recap), we also talked about the Hot Tub Time Machine sequel (which he says starts to film in June, and John Cusack may return), and his NBC pilot that’s now called Mr. Robinson.

For those not familiar with This is the End, the R rated comedy stars everyone in Hollywood (Rogen, Jonah Hill, James Franco, Jason Segel, Danny McBride, Craig Robinson, Michael Cera, Emma Watson, Paul Rudd, Jay Baruchel, Mindy Kaling, Kevin Hart, Martin Starr, and more), and it looks to be one of the better films this summer.  Hit the jump for what Robinson had to say about all of his projects, and circle June 14, 2013 on your calendar because that’s when This is the End is due out in theaters.

As Brendan said last month, Hot Tub Time Machine had the reputation of being a flop based on a mediocre $14 million opening weekend, but the movie had legs, reaching $50 million domestic and it is exactly the kind of R-rated comedy that finds a second life on DVD and cable reruns.  This explains why MGM has been developing a sequel with director Steve Pink.  While we previously reported that Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson, and Clark Duke were set to reprise their roles in the sequel, the big story was that John Cusack might not be coming back.

However, when I spoke to Robinson earlier today at WonderCon for Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg‘s This Is The End, he told me “negotiations are still going” with the cast and he made it sound like Cusack might be coming back.  In addition, he said filming begins this June and he’s seen an early version of the script.  Since the first film featured a tremendous amount of improv, I’d imagine whatever script he’s seen will have a lot of changes on set.  Hit the jump to see what Robinson had to say about the sequel and to watch the trailer for the first film.  Look for more of my interview with Robinson soon.

Hot Tub Time Machine has a reputation has a flop based on a mediocre $14 million opening weekend.  But the movie had legs, reaching $50 million domestic.  And it is exactly the kind of R-rated comedy that finds a second life on DVD and cable reruns.  Add everything up, and there is apparently enough incentive for MGM to enter into “exploratory talks” with Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson, and Clark Duke to reprise their roles for a sequel, according to Heat Vision.  John Cusack, the lead in the original, is curiously not involved at this stage.

Steve Pink is also in talks to return as director.  Pink would work out the story with Corddry.  No details are available yet, but a hunch: The gang goes back in time to the wacky 1990s this time.  There is no guarantee that a deal will come together, but if one does, production will reportedly be fast-tracked.  As a fan of the cast and time travel, sounds good to me.  Hit the jump to revisit the nostalgia of 2009 and watch the trailer.