Kid actors normally tend to fall on one of the extreme ends of the spectrum; they’re either frustratingly youthful or abnormally mature for their age. Diary of a Wimpy Kid‘s Robert Capron, on the other hand, is a well-spoken young adult, but very much a kid, too.

Capron first hit the Hollywood scene last year in the first Diary of a Wimpy Kid movie playing Greg Heffley’s (Zachary Gordon) goofy, but well-meaning buddy Rowley Jefferson. Well, Wimpy Kid is back and so is Capron. In the sequel, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, the focus is on Greg and his big brother Rodrick (Devon Bostick), but there’s no way Greg would be able to survive the sibling rivalry without his best pal. This time around Rowley might not break any bones, but he does roll around in the back of Rodrick’s van, do the conga at a high school party and a little Lady Gaga lip-synching, too.

Is it as fun as it sounds? You bet. Capron is clearly well versed in standard filmmaking techniques, even giving his own version of ADR (automated dialogue replacement) 101, but at heart, Capron is just your average 12-year-old who enjoys hanging out with his friends and playing Xbox. But, of course, when he’s not just being a kid, Capron has his eye on the future and he certainly has a bright one ahead of him.

Hear all about Capron’s experience on the set of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, how it’s been working with Tim Burton on his new Frankenweenie film and much more in the video interview below.

By Perri Nemiroff