In this entertaining episode of The Neil Haley Show and Celebrity Interviews Live from the Grotto, Neil Haley sits down with musician, actor, writer, and filmmaker Hobart to discuss his upcoming comedy feature film I Am Ryan. The conversation explores Hobart’s fascinating journey through the entertainment industry, from performing in bands and touring internationally to acting in national commercials and eventually creating his own feature film inspired by years of being compared to Hollywood superstar Ryan Reynolds.
Growing up in central Illinois surrounded by farmland and small-town life, Hobart always dreamed of building a career in music. In 2012, he made the bold decision to move to Los Angeles and pursue those ambitions full-time. Like many artists who relocate to Hollywood, he quickly discovered that success often requires adaptability, persistence, and a willingness to explore opportunities beyond the original plan.
While music remained his primary focus, Hobart soon found himself auditioning for commercials during downtime between musical projects. What started as an experiment quickly became a successful second career. Over the years, he landed campaigns with major brands including Walmart, Microsoft, ZipRecruiter, and numerous others. These experiences helped him become comfortable in front of the camera while providing valuable insight into the entertainment industry.
Throughout the interview, Hobart reflects on his extensive music career. He shares stories about performing on the iconic Vans Warped Tour, touring across the United States and internationally, and playing more than a thousand live performances throughout his career. His music has also been featured in major media projects including Deadpool: The Video Game, Rock Band, MTV productions, ESPN broadcasts, and additional television and gaming properties. These accomplishments established Hobart as a versatile creative talent long before he stepped into filmmaking.
The centerpiece of the discussion is Hobart’s new comedy feature, I Am Ryan. The film is inspired by a unique reality that Hobart has experienced for years: people constantly telling him that he looks like Ryan Reynolds. Friends, strangers, casting directors, and entertainment professionals have repeatedly pointed out the resemblance. Instead of ignoring the comparisons, Hobart decided to turn them into a comedic concept.
The story follows Brian Reynolds, an ordinary man who happens to look remarkably similar to Ryan Reynolds. After being discovered by a questionable manager looking to capitalize on the resemblance, Brian suddenly finds himself navigating bizarre situations, questionable promotional appearances, and opportunities that blur the line between reality and mistaken identity. The result is a comedy that combines satire, celebrity culture, and absurd humor while exploring the unexpected consequences of looking like one of Hollywood’s biggest stars.
Hobart explains that the original idea for I Am Ryan first came to him in 2017. Although he loved the concept immediately, bringing it to life required years of planning, development, networking, and persistence. Eventually, he connected with producer Carl Jackson, who immediately recognized the potential of the project. Together they assembled the team necessary to move the film into production, ultimately filming the movie in 2025.
Neil and Hobart spend considerable time discussing the realities of independent filmmaking. Unlike major studio productions with massive budgets and resources, independent films require creators to wear multiple hats. Hobart not only stars in the film but also wrote, produced, and helped oversee many aspects of the project. He shares how challenging—but rewarding—it was to transform a simple idea into a completed feature film.
