The Bad Guys 2 director discusses a notable parody featured in the film. This animated adventure film, which blends elements of comedy and action, is the sequel to the 2022 hit The Bad Guys. Once again helmed by director Pierre Perifel, the film sees the collaboration of co-director JP Sans. The impressive voice cast includes renowned actors such as Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Craig Robinson, Anthony Ramos, Natasha Lyonne, and Danielle Brooks, bringing a vibrant energy to this highly anticipated sequel.
The Bad Guys 2 premiered in theaters on August 1, receiving largely positive feedback from critics and audiences alike. Currently, the film boasts a remarkable 85% rating on the Tomatometer from Rotten Tomatoes, along with a striking 95% audience score on the Popcornmeter.
According to Variety, director Perifel elaborates on the amusing parody of Elon Musk within The Bad Guys 2. When questioned by the interviewer about the film’s storyline that closely resembles Musk’s ambitious space shuttles, Perifel confirmed their intentional spoof of SpaceX through the fictional company MoonX.
However, he clarified that the character of Mr. Moon is not directly “inspired by Elon himself.” Perifel acknowledges the oddities surrounding Musk’s public persona, noting that it’s “weird that now Elon has been popping as somebody who is very odd.” Below is the complete quote from Perifel:
There is a storyline that is very Elon Musk space shuttle-coded. When you were putting this together, things were very different compared to releasing it in July 2025, and he’s very different. What is that like looking back?
What’s really obvious to me is we spoofed MoonX, SpaceX. And we have someone who’s going to conquer the stars. I don’t think the character of Mr. Moon is necessarily inspired by Elon himself. He’s such a cute, little bubbly character in the movie. But it’s weird, to your point, it’s weird that now Elon has been popping as somebody who’s a very odd, big figure now, and enmeshed into all these things with Trump. Now, it’s easy, in retrospect, to say you guys used Elon as a reference, but it was not really the case for us. It was more of a coincidence, if you want, except, again, for the name of the company.
The Impact of Elon Musk Spoof on The Bad Guys 2
Although he has gained even more visibility this year, Musk has long been a polarizing and controversial public figure. He is globally recognized as the wealthiest individual, accruing vast riches through various ventures, including his revolutionary company, SpaceX. This ambitious space shuttle program aims to eventually facilitate the colonization of Mars.
In the past year, however, Musk’s public image has shifted dramatically, as Perifel notes, due to his entanglement in various controversies, especially regarding his relationship with Trump. Earlier this year, the SpaceX founder faced significant backlash for what appeared to be a Nazi salute during President Trump’s inauguration. Such incidents have complicated Musk’s representation in media, making any references to him particularly sensitive.
Since SpaceX was established in 2002, it provided ample material for satire within The Bad Guys 2. Nonetheless, the surge of public attention surrounding Musk means that the film’s intentions and messages might be easily misinterpreted in the current climate.
Analyzing The Bad Guys 2’s Cultural References
The cultural references integrated within The Bad Guys 2 contribute significantly to the film’s modern appeal. Although rated PG, elements like MoonX ensure that adults can find enjoyment in the film through its clever and satirical nods to contemporary events and figures.
However, these elements also increase the likelihood of the film facing scrutiny and controversy. Although the creative team behind The Bad Guys 2 could not have anticipated Musk’s rise to notoriety while developing the script, the film now resonates differently as it approaches 2025.
Source: Variety
