Jeremy Ray Taylor is done being the “fat, funny kid” from It. With his latest role as Julian in Allan Ungar’s London Calling, the 22-year-old actor is stepping firmly into adulthood—and into the action-comedy spotlight.
The film pairs Taylor with Josh Duhamel in a buddy-style story about a hitman forced to toughen up a crime boss’s timid son. For Taylor, the odd-couple chemistry came naturally. “Josh is incredible. Definitely one of my favorite people I’ve worked with,” he told me. “The chemistry was there instantly, and a lot of what you see on screen came from collaborating and even ad-libbing together.”
While the banter lands the laughs, Taylor’s physical preparation helped him meet the demands of the role. Growing up in Tennessee, he had experience with firearms and even dabbled in martial arts. A chance encounter with UFC legend Jon Jones at Albuquerque’s famed Jackson Wink gym deepened his interest in MMA. “The basics of boxing and MMA definitely give you a good base for doing action,” he explained. “It’s not just about throwing punches—it’s about learning how to fall, how to take a hit properly.”
Taylor admits some of his real-world training had to be “untaught” on set, since his character’s nervous inexperience required a less polished approach to handling weapons. That contrast between Jeremy’s preparation and Julian’s awkwardness adds an extra layer of authenticity.
Outside the fight scenes, Taylor also brought a personal passion to the film’s high-octane moments: cars. The self-proclaimed gearhead and co-owner of a car show company is currently restoring a 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix, even sneaking updates on the build between press interviews.
For Taylor, London Calling represents both a role and a turning point. “This was exactly what I wanted,” he said. “It’s the perfect chance to move away from that kid in It and step into more serious work. There’s action and comedy here, but also a beautiful underlying story about fathers, sons, and finding your place in the world.”
Talking with him, it’s clear this is more than just Julian’s journey—it’s Jeremy’s. And if London Calling is any indication, audiences will be seeing a lot more of him in roles that let him throw a punch, land a joke, and still find the heart in between.
Jessie Hobson