Disney XD’s launch provides a backdrop for a conversation with Adam Hicks, the actor who plays Luther on ZEKE AND LUTHER and Wen in LEMONADE MOUTH. The discussion covers skateboarding, songwriting, meeting Tony Hawk, and those fridge moments fans remember.
Luther is described as outrageous and zany, the comedy driven heartbeat of the show. His dream is to become a professional skateboarder, and the series follows two kids who share that dream and the wild adventures that come with it.
Getting into the Luther character is a mix of shared quirks and personal contrast. Luther lives in awkward, cringey moments, and Hicks notes he is more relaxed in real life, with a goofy side and a laid back vibe with friends.
Influences go beyond a single character. Hicks mentions Jim Carrey for expressive timing, saying that in every scene there is a sense of what Luther might do next.
One standout moment came in an episode called Airheads, which features air guitars and a pretend concert on stage in front of a crowd of air instrument fans. The cast rehearsed with air guitars and even pretended to drink air sodas, unplugging imaginary cords.
On screen chemistry matters just as much as the sketches. Hicks and Hutch Dano, who plays Zeke, are described as best friends whose bond grew over three seasons, becoming like brothers both on and off camera.
Music is a strong thread in Hicks’s career. He contributed three songs to Lemonade Mouth, having been writing music for years. Disney approached him to contribute before he was cast as Wen, making the moment a dream come true. While filming in New Mexico, where the movie was shot, he wrote two songs Breakthrough and Determinate and later added a bonus track for the DVD.
When asked about favorite musicians, Hicks cites a wide range from Mick Jagger to Mike Posner and Bruno Mars. He grew up with his London based father exposing him to old school rock, and he also embraced new sounds from his own generation.
Contemplating a break from acting to pursue music head on seems plausible for Hicks. The Lemonade Mouth project merged his two major interests, and although some describe it as a musical, he sees it as a narrative that includes music and a band at its core, supported by Disney and the fans.
Having tackled funny, easygoing roles, Hicks would love to play characters he has not yet explored. Luther is a starting point for understanding his range, and he relishes the idea of stepping into roles that are different from his own personality.
On the topic of skateboarding, meeting Tony Hawk on set was a thrill. The legend greeted the actors warmly, and the moment remained a highlight for Hicks who had shadowed Hawk his whole life, even learning a 360 flip from him.
Prior to ZEKE AND LUTHER, Hicks had been skating for about three to four years. On the show, professionals helped him land tricks he had struggled with for years, guiding him through the process.
Drastic wipeouts were not the norm; they occurred daily in a humorous fashion, but the on set family atmosphere kept things light. It became commonplace to know everyone by name as filming continued.
Looking ahead, Hicks would love to see guest stars from the worlds of skating and comedy. Rodney Mullen would be a dream in the skating realm, while Eddie Colletti and other comedic personalities could bring fresh energy. Icons such as Jim Carrey, Selena Gomez, or Justin Bieber might even appear on a board someday.
Off camera, prank sessions became a staple. In season two a fridge gag with a hidden camera in a snack bag yielded laughter, culminating in a playful reveal that became a memorable moment for the crew.
Yes, Hicks holds a black belt in tae kwon do. He earned the belt and trained seriously, traveling for sparring and forms. He would gladly incorporate some of those moves into future performances after a little extra stretching.
Integrating martial arts into acting is a real possibility for him. He would like to push his physical skills further and use them to broaden his range in future roles.
Adam Hicks thanks fans and invites viewers to tune into ZEKE AND LUTHER on Disney XD, with new episodes airing on weekdays at 7:30 pm Eastern.