Happy Sad Confused - Ezra Miller

Episode Date: July 19, 2015

The wonderfully bizarre/spiritual/unique Ezra Miller joins Josh to talk about his first big studio film Trainwreck, the story behind The Stanford Prison Experiment, the time he was kicked out of camp for smoking pot, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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supportive environment. Like MTV's Secret Casting Facebook page for a link to the official application and submit your story today. Hey guys, welcome to another edition of Happy Sad Confused. I am Josh Horowitz, and you're listening to my podcast in your ears. I assume it's in your ears because if you're listening to it through some other part of your body, you should see a doctor immediately. Uh, welcome to the show. This week, you're going to hear from, uh, the wonderful, the enigmatic, the bizarre, the fantastic actor that is, Mr. Ezra Miller.

Uh, I have a, I have a guest here, too. Michael say hi. Hello. That's Michael. Michael, what do we even call you? What are you? You are a producer extraordinary. I help with a lot of my stuff.

Yeah. I like to say I'm your spiritual consultant. Let's not say that. Okay. That's not true. So I won't say it. I'm spiritually dead inside. Yeah, there's not a lot of work to do.

Yeah. But yeah, I help kind of write questions and bits and help take the videos to the finalized place. He's doing a great job and he was present for Mr. Ezra Miller. This was your first experience. Yeah, I never met him. What did you think of Ezra? Well, let's just say I wasn't surprised when he said he spends a lot of time in Vermont. Spoiler.

Spoiler there. I wish you could have skipped past that part. So he, Ezra, I should say, if you don't know Ezra's work, go see Perks of being a wall for. If you're really in a depressed mood, go see we need to talk about Kevin because that is a serious freaking movie. Oh, man. It's not a fun date movie. Also, not fun if you're thinking about having kids ever or getting married or having relationships. Or yeah, just speaking to another human being. So don't see we need to talk about Kevin unless you want to go through all that, although it is really actually a very good movie. But also go see, because out in theaters right now

are not one but two Ezra Miller films. What a bounty of riches we're experiencing in 2015. Train wreck is out right now. The wonderful Amy Schumer, of course, wrote and stars in it. It's really funny. Judd Apatow directed it. And Ezra has a small part that's kind of unlike anything he's ever done. This is his first studio film.

We talk about that in this podcast. And also, really, the one he was really here to get into, in a big way, was a movie called The Stanford Prison Experiment, which I got a chance to see at Sundance. and actually is kind of on the lines that we need to talk about Kevin in that it is like super sobering stuff. It's, I mean, you could fall down a rabbit hole in the internet to find out about the actual Stanford prison experiments that took place in the early 70s. It's basically functions as a thriller. It's about a professor at Stanford who put students through this exercise in which he kind of separated them along the lines of guards and prisoners in a fake prison and sort of. what happened to their interpersonal dynamics and how they behaved and how they kind of retreated

into stereotypes. And it's an amazing true story. And it's a really great film with an astounding ensemble. Michael Angarano kills it in this movie. And Ezra does as well. And so this was a fun conversation, though, we covered a lot in it, right? Yeah, it was great. And I really liked how personal Ezra was. He was just like, no matter what you asked him, he kind of like, he was very truthful. He didn't, wasn't giving any can dance. For sure. Exactly. Exactly. And any...

And the movies sound great. Yeah. And any interview where, like, yeah, the subject is happily talking about the time they were kicked out of camp at 13 for smoking pot. Yeah. That's a good interview. Yeah, you know, it's going to go good places. And Judy Dench doesn't talk about that stuff.

No, not at all. Well, she was kicked out of... It was heroin. Yeah, it was a finishing school in Britain. So different, different regulations. I always ask you guys for some questions. Let's take a couple questions. Michael, maybe you can help me from the guys that sent in some questions this week.

um as always hit me up on twitter just send it in with a hashtag happy second fuse and i'll answer them right on this podcast just for you guys um wizard dean wants to know which avengers i would like to be man um i think i would like to be i feel like i want to be i want to be tony stark yeah because he's super rich yeah he's got good wit he's a genius he's smart he's witty and he's not like nothing's fucked up with his body i mean he has a heart issue he's uh he's uh he's got good wit he's a genius he's He has a heart issues. That's true. But they seem to be cleared up.

Yeah, after that third movie, or is it the second movie or third movie? Anyway, he's fine now. He's okay. He's totally fine. What do you got, Michael, what Avenger would you be? I mean, it's tough because if Spider-Man, Spider-Man's, like, not in the movie Avengers, but I know he's, like, part of the crew in the comics from time to time, that would be great. So you're going extended Avengers, okay.

Yeah, but if I had to go just, like, classic in the movies, I mean, Thor seems like a lot of fun. I think it's when he swings his hammer and, flies. I'm always interested in, like, you're just falling. Right. You're just falling up. You're hurtling yourself through space. I want to be Chris Hemsworth. I don't know if I want to be Thor. I'd rather be Chris Hemsworth because I don't look good with long hair. Right? I want to keep it trim. You can pull anything off. Yeah, it's true. Final question from Ortiz Luis. Favorite moment from Comic Con. P.S. Thanks for asking Guillemort a tour about Disneyland with Gosling. Yeah, that was a fun moment. We had a lot of fun. Michael was out there at Comic Con with me.

I talked about Bill Murray. We posted that as the podcast last week. That was certainly a highlight for me. I liked Hiddleston, Chastain, two of my favorite people, me at Vachakowska. That was a fun interview. I think my favorite was T.J. Miller on the Deadpool panel talking about Weasel. But then going on a, this is probably not going to be in any of the videos, but he just goes on like a four-minute rant about the MTV generation and 14 and pregnant, which then goes into 28 and pregnant.

and he just, he's a nonstop force of hilarity. Yeah, he's, that was really fun. He's going to, I bet he's going to steal a lot of the scenes in Deadpool, though that whole film sounds bad shit crazy in the best possible way. Yeah. That was Comic-Con. It was insane. Go to MTV's page, MTV, YouTube's page.

We've got a ton of videos up. Check it out. We did have a blast there. But on to the main event, here we go, guys. As always, hit me up on Twitter. Tell me who you want to hear from. Send me your questions. But for now, enjoy the very unique, the very talented,

the fantastic, what other adjective? Grounded? Sure. Yeah, he's grounded. Spiritual? Spiritual. The spiritual, the very spiritual. Isra Miller?

Enjoy. Is everybody good? And you know you're going to be podcasted as well. Full audio enjoyment. Yeah, let's talk. Podcasted? Yes. Or simply podcast?

Oh, that's an interesting... You tell me... I don't know. Nor do I. Have you been podcasted before? Um... Do you feel it happening right now? Is it already happening?

It's happening. You didn't feel the change in the fabric of your DNA, the change in the atmosphere? Does it do something to my DNA? Oh, God, we have to test it afterwards. Hold on. Hold on. Wait and wait a minute. Um, Ezra, it's good to see you, buddy, as I said.

I said. It's been a, I mean, I've seen you not in official interview settings recently, Rance Union Square. That's true. That's when you were shooting, I think, train wreck, actually. Was I? I think you were, because I had just been on set the day before and lamented that I did not see you there. Oh, yeah. So there you go. See? Just, you know, just cry my name. It's like Beetlejuice. Exactly. Yeah, exactly. Be careful now. We've got one. Right. Okay. Let's keep that in mind. Everybody keep that in mind. We've got that in mind. We've got one, and so. Save it.

Save it for one you really need Ezra in your life. That's two. Ooh, I'm talking about the, you know. I'm talking about the Keaton character. Oh, I got you, got you. I'm already here. I'm not trying to summon that guy. I got it.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry. You have a good time last night? You were at the train wreck premiere celebrating a fun role in a fun movie. Yeah, it was really, really joyous. And I felt, I don't know, I mean, cheesy times, but I felt really, like, kind of overwhelmed and honored and moved to be a part of this project that I feel like is just, like,

composed of people who are so much funnier than I am. Well. And I feel like I was just, yeah, I just feel honored. Well, it also strikes me that, I mean, it's kind of, correct me if I'm wrong, it's like your first official kind of studio, film you've been a part of, or at least on that level, or that kind of film. I think one could say that. Did it feel, I mean, you know, Judd's sets are pretty casual, the way and Amy, obviously,

did it feel that much different than the kind of work you've done before? Did you feel a little out of your element or feel comfortable or what? Definitely I didn't feel like there was anything in terms of the, like, budget or scale of the film that made it feel different. What felt different is just that working on that set is a very unique experience. The way Jed Appetow runs a set is amazing and definitely was new to me in a way that made sense,

you know, in a way that's really fun. Yeah. Like that you only roll out the entire role of film and keep going and see what you can find in that time. And then they're getting so much footage that they have dudes there who just, make notes on when it was maybe funny. Right.

You know what I mean? And Judd is like this incredible machine of a human being, like really special individual who it seems like he's a machine that like feeds on the fuel of funny. And when I mean, when he's watching the monitor and you know he does this thing where he puts an amp on set. And so you're having this conversation with Judd where he's like, he's like, try, squeeze my tits hard. and you're like, squeeze my tits hard. He's like, try, squeeze my tits a little harder.

You know what I mean? He's like, squeeze my tits real hard. And he's just like, he's tossing it out. And then I remember one time seeing actually, and this is a moment where I was like, this dude's actually like possesses a super genius. Sure. You know, which is of course, we know that.

But seeing it, which is that he was on the mic and, you know, he's saying whatever he's, He's like, squeeze my tits harder. And he's like, the mic breaks. And he's going, squeeze my, cock sucker, boom. And he just like that, it was like no emotion. He was like, cock sucker. Boom.

And he threw the mic down. And then he starts going, squeeze my tits harder. Like this, you know what I mean? Like, he's just got to get it done. He's a science. He's got to draw the funny from the system. It's an algorithm. So do you feel,

Judd Apatown's a robot. This is my, this is the headline of this podcast. It explains how much he's been able to produce. There are 12 of them. Yeah, yeah. You can just roll out another one to produce the life. I'm unveiling. Jud is going to have a really, I might be attacked by robot Judd for revealing his secrets.

Do you feel it expanded your own skill set in a way that are like, okay, I can keep up with the funniest people on the planet and hold my own. And I'll say that I realize that I have a long way to go in terms of being able to. to contain my own laughter. I said, or like, honestly, I think that that was the, there's a scene where you're in that office, and it's just this room of comedic masters, and they were just riffing all day.

And, and, you know, unfortunately, my face is like in the back of the shot, so I had the ability to ruin it. Why it's like I grinning constantly in the background? Yeah, the kid who's doing nothing, who's making no way. funny jokes. It was just in the background trying not to completely lose it. You know what I mean? I think that's the greatest. But yeah, I definitely felt like it was challenging me in a way that

was like, like, you know, I had to raise up my game. Sure. And had to call upon resources that I really value and that I don't exploit enough. Like I was in an improv troupe. Oh, really? When I was a kid at like summer camp, I was in this improv. With some really amazing people who led it, this woman named Becky Drysdale and this guy named Louis Perlman who are working and doing amazing stuff in comedy. Yeah. We're just teaching at a summer camp that I happened to go to and I went and had this improvisation training and like clowning and comedy training that... Was it like a theatrical like summer camp? Was it that kind of...

It was a camp that was a like a socialist work camp in the 40s who started by these like German communists. And then it kind of in the 60s became more and more of like a creative and performing arts camp. My aunt went there and then I went there and I got kicked out. What happened? I was smoking weed. I smoked some weed. I was 13. We were smoking weed in the bunk. And this kid ratted us out, man. He ratted us out. Do you want to name him? I mean, turn about fair play. Come on. But you know who you are. You know who you are. And, yeah. Well, there's a lot I want to cover,

but one thing that strikes me is, like, we're talking here, and it's the first time we've had a chance to really sit down and talk for a while since Perks. And Perks was almost three years ago. And it occurs to me that, like, I don't know, did you take a conscious break? I mean, you, I would think, like, the game plan, the playbook is you're in a big movie like that.

Gets a lot of heat, a lot of heat for that role. Strike Wall the Iron's Hot. And it seems like you did not go by that. Yeah. What was up with that? I think that the idea of striking while the iron's hot is, like, good, and, like, being a blacksmith is rad. And I'm into blacks. I'm into smithery.

But I felt that this is a crazy world. This industry and this, it requires a lot of a person in very strange. unexpected ways and I felt like it was it's it can be the right move to let the iron cool so that the axe can hold its shape sure like it deep into the blacksmith that we're gonna only do blacksmith met horse the end of the blacksmith talk but but really though I think that as young artists we are told that there is a trajectory right that we have to take and if we get this certain opportunity that we have to take advantage of it

and do the first huge thing that comes our way and take the offer no matter what it is and go with the program and do all the crazy press no matter if you know what the magazine is about or not. And I don't, that's not my, that's not how I wanted to do this. I wanted to maintain myself.

And I wanted to, maintain a sense of my own free will in choosing this life that I really want, you know what I mean, like that I love and that I'm, to want to like make art, like, do this, but I want to do it on my own terms. And for a while, I felt like I was starting to struggle against some of the realities of this work, like the, you know, just the press. stuff, you think you're making a movie and you don't think about, like, well, now I'm going to have to go and all of this stuff.

And unintentionally, almost, I was struggling against it. Yeah. And that's no good because this is an amazing blessing that I'm really grateful for. You know what I mean? I don't want to be struggling against it. So to take a break and to, like, be playing music and be like getting back in my element and thinking about what the, and like, waiting and waiting for the projects that felt like really, you know, my shit.

what I'm passionate about. And it also feels like there's a lesson to be learned in that like, here we are a few years later, and it's not like the career lost steam. If anything, Stanford Prison Experiment, which we're going to get into in a second as an exceptional film. I appreciate that.

And you're getting, I mean, we know you're the flash. It doesn't get any bigger than that. Like, it didn't cost you anything. If anything, it clearly fueled your soul and your art a little bit and the career. Yeah, I think it's that, it's the trick of it. is if you actually don't buy into the rush and the craze

and this feeling like it's going to slip through your fingers. You know, and like ground yourself in what you love to do and where you find that, I guess, within yourself. So talk to me a little bit about what you've been up to. I know music is always a big part of your life. It's like the last couple of years. Has that been a main source of kind of joy outside of when acting hasn't been there?

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, it's definitely a big part of my work and working with this band, Sons of an Oistria's father, which I've been in since I was 16, and we've been working together for almost eight years now is really like a constantly fruitful and amazing process. And yeah, we've got a new album that's coming out in the new year and we went on a tour with an artist we really admire.

And do you take something different out of that than you do after, like after a gig, after playing with them versus a successful day on set? Is it a different energy? Is it tapping into the same kind of part of the brain? It's the same. It's the same. It's, I mean, when you, I don't know, tap the creative force. Right.

It's exciting in the same way. You know what I mean? I'm sure you feel it when you like hit an interview and it's, you like get some really solid stuff. You know, or like have a real moment with a person. And like, sure. Or when anyone's in their craft, that's truly there. Yeah, yeah. And they feel that creative force, I think.

I'm a big in my room. Drugs are released in the brain, endorphins. Totally. We feel happy. I spoke to you guys briefly about Stanford Prison Experiment in Sundance, and it blew me away, honestly. This is a really intense, haunting kind of film with an amazing array of performances.

Kyle Patrick Alvarez has done a great job behind the camera. Talk to me a little bit about your interaction with this material. This has been a project that's been around for a while. This is a story that actually happened, obviously, 45 or so years ago. When did you come into contact with it? Way to take the math weep there. Yeah, I know. I had to run in there, 44 years?

Yeah, yeah. It did pretty well. So were you aware of this? Because this has been floating for a lot of actors for many years. Yeah, yeah. I wasn't aware of it as a project. Right. I was aware of the experiment, had a teacher.

a mentor who was really important to me, who was a guy who was a GI resistor during the Vietnam Wars, and was Andrew Stapp, really important to me. And he talked to me about the Stanford Prison Experiment when I was like 14 in his history class. Right. And then I watched Democracy Now a lot,

and they had Professor Zimbardo on a few years before this project came into Mott. But this project has been, in some version, version of trying to happen since the experiment. I mean, Zimbardo talks about when he was like flown out to, you know, to like have meetings with Hollywood execs in the 70s because it, because there's something so innately intriguing for any filmmaker about the idea of this complete psychological disintegration, you know. It's also asking you've been doing some press with Dr. Simbaugh.

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, he's on the scene. That's amazing to be. It's amazing. It's amazing to me, too. I mean, he really, what's so thrilling and amazing is that he identifies with this film as an account as a, like, viable fictional and, you know, but a viable account of the experiment that he ran,

which has been the basis of so much of his life's work. He's done such, like, amazing and brave and intense and ambiguous and, like, some things. questionable, but a lot of things that ultimately have brought what I think is a really important mode of thought into our social lexicon, which is like, seems crucial. What's cool about the film for me, and I think for audiences will be that it works as just sort of like a taught thriller, like just like you're on the edge of your teeth with these characters.

Yeah, that shocked me, honestly, when I saw it and it was... Like, you couldn't hear anyone read. With the soundtrack and the, you know what I mean, and I'm feeling so constantly... Yeah. I was really messed up by watching that movie. I was way more messed up by watching it than making it. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, I was going to say, because I know what everyone's talking to you about,

like, oh, it must have been so harrowing to shoot this. Yeah, we've had this thing going on. I wish it was because it would make these interviews much easier. Right. Everyone's like, oh, man. Tell us, you must be so, oh, your time in prison when you recreated the recreation. Right. And you all fell prey to each other's sadistic, evil.

nature and we were all just chilling i mean we were like having the best time i mean because you talked about like it's like an amazing group of young actors and a lot of dudes more dudes than you worked with probably yeah yeah some time did you feel like is that is that a comfortable atmosphere to be with like 15 or 20 guys just sort of like on a set yeah yeah it was incredibly comfortable yeah uh like such sweet energy a lot of us knew each other. A lot of us have been the kids who have seen each other in auditions and or, you know, or had some correspondence where one of us took the role that another one really wanted or like Michael Angerano was joking yesterday that were all the kids who didn't get Spider-Man.

He also rounds. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. And, but essentially, you know, but a lot of us really knew each other already and very quickly formed like a very deep love of one another. I'll tell you that being so comfortable in a crew of 24 dudes is not so, has like not been a common experience for me. Right. You know what I mean? Like the like sports team or like the like boys part of the class or like, you know what I mean? Like was like usually not going so well. So what was typically sort of redeeming. Yeah, what was typically you're seen? Like, what's the environment

that were you're most comfortable in, whether it's like a party or whatever, like what kind of a group of people? What kind of a group? And you mean like now, or do you mean that? Well, you take it either way, whatever you want. Wow, what kind, what kind of people? Okay, you walk into a room and you see a certain group

and you say, this is like my worst nightmare. What, what, what, because you're, They're like, kind of like, like, lizardy people. They're wearing suits. They're like, I would think that doesn't fit in well with those. Yeah, they just, like, want to capture you. You see their tentacles coming out from behind, but they're hiding them okay. You know what I mean?

You're like, good work hiding your tentacles. Underneath the wealthy suit. Yeah, it's so good to meet you. Right. You know what I mean? The plastic smile. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You can see through that.

Yeah, yeah. If I walk in and there's a bunch of, like, crustbunks and hippies and, like, rad spiritualist doing acro yoga, I'm going to be happier. These are my people. He'll be like me. Speaking of that, I mean, like, you know, whenever I see you, like, you stand out in the best possible way. Like, you know, I saw you last night at the party and it was like, I'm not going to miss

Ezra. There he is. Is there something about, like, preconceived? I had some pheasant feathers in my hat. Authent feathers, which I think we're sending up signals for you alone. It's the Josh Horowitz signal. Yeah, the pheasant feathers. You know, you know when you're called.

I'll come running. Eddress, you're by. But do you ever feel like you fall prey to kind of preconceived notions because of that? Because of like people, because of the way you look, the way you dress, whatever. And does that bother you or you're like, whatever? I think we all fall prey to preconceive notions. Yeah. I think everybody, I think we walk around in a delusional state where we're constantly assessing

and judging one another and it's what separates us constantly. From the second you meet someone, you're devaluing them by going, they're white, they're male, they're, yeah, da, da, like these classifications we make, when really it's like we're all the same human being. And so, yeah, yes, I definitely am pissed about the preconceived notions people have about me, I want to write them, but I feel like everybody feels that way at various times. Hey, guys, time for a special message from one of our sponsors today. Mott and Bo. And really, the subject at hand is a very important one. It's jeans. I'm not being facetious.

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If I met your parents, would I see you? Like, are you very much a product of... Yes, definitely, definitely. And I think that meeting my parents is a way that people can, like... Oh, this makes sense. You know what I mean? When you're meeting someone, you meet their parents and you're like, right. Right.

What do you get from either side? I hope to carry, like, my mother's incredible, like, creative and giving power and her compassion and her ability to, like, see people and hear people. and I really hope to carry my father's unbelievable gift of the word and ability to like organize his life and the lives of those around him to actually make like to actually improve everybody's quality of life you know what I mean like that father that he does in a way yeah so I mean I hope to carry a lot of shit but I probably also get like my dad's

maybe I'm just like my mom you know what I mean She's never satisfied. Why do we scream at each other? Right. Speaking of singing, sings always been a part of your life, right? I mean, that was like, from the get-go. Was it opera that you were, like, actually trained in as a kid?

Yeah, yeah, I did opera. Yeah, from the age of six, started training that was in the Metropolitan Opera Children's course from when I was like eight to when I was 11th. When you're six is... I found a dope. Actually, I found my Metropolitan Opera badge the other day,

I'm like this eight-year-old, but I'm like trying to look cool. It's pretty great. Were you ever going to make a go of that? Was that ever like... Oh, yeah, for sure. My opera career was definitely in the works. Really? Well, yeah.

You don't go to school for that just to like, do it as a... When I first did opera, I was like, I'm going to do performing arts. That's what I want to do with my life. Yeah. And then, because I was in the opera, that was definitely the scheme. At a certain point, I was going to be Luciano Pavarotti on the scene. I was going to, I'm serious, man. That was going to really happen for me.

What happened? Dude, you know, there's this terrible transitional period where the balls do descend, where the voice does change, where one is kicked out of the opera. That's so unfair. Biology, it sucks, man. Well, you know what? There used to be away, Josh. Oh, yeah.

And it involved bricks and a warm bath of milk. Just be happy we're living in this century And the church did it You understand? I got you They used to be away But then we decided it was unethical So what you're saying is you weren't to vote

I was deprived You were not you could have done it I could have done it but they wouldn't crush my balls I'm sure there's a guy you could have found Yeah probably right It's a bit horrifying back alley You're just going Craigslist Yeah yeah yeah yeah looking for

Castrator This is important My career rests on this Seeking castrator. Eight-year-old boy seeks castrator. Oh, no. Craigslist. Did you find, when you turned to acting,

was it relatively immediate that you were getting work? That you were finding this to be a viable gig? I remember when I first, I mean, so I'd done, I'd met this woman, Liz Swados, Elizabeth Swados. He's an amazing New York artist, still on the scene, still constantly doing amazing. things, beautiful expressions. She wrote this musical with a group of kids who had left home who were underage but were living on the streets of New York City. She wrote a musical with them

back in the 80s and it went to Broadway and it was a hit. It was called Runaways. And I did a revival of that at Joe's Pub. And so through that I got my first representation. Somebody came backstage. One of the wizard people came backstage. Exactly. Dude. Dude. Yes. Yes, and much thanks to them because they really helped me out. But they were like, yeah, let's send you out. And they started sending me out. And I remember that initially it was a lot of the stuff that I really didn't want to do. And so I didn't really understand what I was doing.

It was like commercials and stuff like that. I knew I was interested in like working in film because, you know. But yeah, or like Nickelodeon shows that I didn't really understand. on the premise of, you know what I mean? Explain us to me again? Why is the green slime fall in my head? Yeah, yeah, yeah. And like, okay, so, right, the shoe is a portal.

Right. And then, and then they're just in the super cool mode where they're the coolest ever. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But yeah, and then I read this script. I read this script when I'd been doing it for a couple months and was starting to be like, no, no, no, this is whack. I read this script called AfterSantis.

school. Right. And off and running. You know what I mean? Just when you then are seeing a piece of art and you're like, whoa, this would, this, this connects to me in a way that I haven't even been able to connect to myself as a 14 year old. And I would, you know, I want to explore this, which ended up being a very dark road. Yeah. Twisted road. A very fruitful road. The first time I think a lot of people encountered you, uh, I was at Cannes when when we need to talk about. Kevin was there and I met that's another experience of seeing that film for the first time that was seared into my brain because I don't know if I've seen it since honestly it's not because it's not a great film but it was just like it was an experience it was a tough one it's a

tough sit but it's a worthy sit what do you remember about and when you think of we need to talk about Kevin do you think about the experience of making it do you think about the reaction about tilde what do you think of yeah I think about all those things I think about Lynn Ramsey and how she's, I think, like, a really, really important filmmaker and how I really, uh, yeah, I, I, I wish for her return as ever. She does this, though. She's got to duck out into the, actually had in your Miss, like, a couple years ago. I mean, she's got, she's someone clearly with integrity and it's not going to do it on. Yeah, man, it's hard to be, like, the Iggy pop of filmmaking on the scene. You know what I mean? People are like, no, right

happy ending and she'll be like no i'll just not do it yeah i just not wait peace yeah yeah and so she'll wait um but yeah i think about lynn think about tilda who you know these are some of the greatest human beings on the planet you know what i mean lynn ramsie tis when johnsy ryeway like i think about the humans yeah rory sturekineer like these people who were really really beautiful and i feel really honored to have been a part of that and then i also yeah i also like think about a lot of aspects of like what that exploration both in making it and then in promoting it meant for me and a lot of confrontations with myself that ultimately I feel were useful you um so it's circling it back around to where we're going and where we're going next which is it's it's odd to be in a

film that's not coming out for three years that you know like you know your future like you know you're the flash and you know it doesn't come out for three years that's true which is like but the flash once he crosses the event horizon it doesn't even matter Tom doesn't I heard one, so it's like, of course I know I'll be to Flash. You're there right now. Yeah, yeah. Well, can you tell me, like, I know you can't say much, but like from a character perspective,

why is this an exciting project? I mean, you're not one to sign on for a superhero movie just because, oh, I want to be in a superhero movie. Why is Barry Allen, why is The Flash a cool character? Without, without implying or revealing any even inklings of ideas Of course not. That character will even be like at all. I think the idea of this, you know,

Barry Allen is the hero of the Silver Age, right? Who follows a lot of really interesting discoveries in physics. Is like where he comes from is we figured out the event horizon was there. And then he was the character that was created through our mythos machine of comic books to break that event horizon so we could explore you know in fantasy and I think that's an interesting idea

and what's an interesting idea to me is like what the fuck does that do to someone right metabolism is shaking up a little bit I would think yeah yeah yeah and your head yeah yeah did it take much convincing from Zach and company

or was it kind of an immediate like this did they give you a good sell that really got you on board immediately yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah Zach got on the phone and said some stuff in terms of the thematic explorations that he's interested in in this for the long haul. Yeah.

Within the D.C. world. Yeah. And it really appeals to me. You know what I mean? Yeah. Yeah. So I was pretty quickly sold by a silver-tongued Zach Snyder. He's a persuasive guy in my experience as well.

Yeah. Have you been watching? It must be fun to see this stuff like when a Batman versus Superman trailer comes out now. You're like, I'm a fan, but I'm also like, I'm kind of part of that. That's kind of amazing. Yes, it is.

It is definitely that experience, Josh. I can't even really tell you what it feels like. Okay. You know, it's amazing. Yeah, you're like, it's Batman. You know what I mean? You're like, I'm going to get to hang out with these guys. Yeah, it's amazing.

You know what I mean? Are you avoiding this TV show? Because people like the TV show, as you know. I'm not avoiding it. I'm not avoiding it at all. I think it's awesome. Oh, really? Yeah, I think it's awesome.

And come on, we're the Flash. It's parallel universes. It's all good. Grant Guston is the Flash and I'm the Flash. Don't you see? It's the event horizon. Crossed it, baby. Grant and I are chilling.

Yeah. We're going to have a race. It's going to be dope like Jay Garrick and Barry Allen back in the day. It's going to be dope. So are you learning this now, or were you a comic guy? I've been a comic guy, but I'm going in as hard as possible. Clearly. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Because I have a serious excuse to.

Yeah, much, well. I have the ultimate license to geek out so hard all the time. Sorry, guys, I got to read more comic books. I'm sorry. I know you talk to people in this position a lot, but do you understand what I'm going through? I do. And we're all jealous of you, but happy for you as well. But here's what I realized is that anyone could just read,

just choose to read comic books all the time. And when people were like, what about literature? You'd be like, whatever, man. Are you able to say anything about Fantastic Beasts? It sounds like you're going to be a part of yet another ginormous universe, the Harry Potter. You know, I wish they'd tell me something about it because I keep hearing from people that it's on the internet. It is on the interwebs. Well, I'll tell you, I wish they could perhaps...

Release you from your back. Get in touch. Get in touch with this guy. Send me the script. Perhaps. Tell me the character. No, literally, I've only heard about this. Oh, really? Through people like you.

Okay. Being like, tell me what you know. Okay. I'm like, tell me what you know, man. When am I playing? When's the start day? You want to be my agent? Will you call them?

I'm not one of those guys. Ask them what's going on? Because it sounds cool. What the hell? So you haven't talked to anybody about this? Nobody talks to... Weird, you know... Weird Ezraud, no?

It's probably a case of the old actor mushroom... Right. Parallel. You understand? It's the event horizon all over again. Yeah. I'm just going to use that as an excuse from now on. Sure.

I don't really understand. But, yeah, I think we understand each other. What's your... Abstractly. What's on the to-do list the next few months? Are you back to music? Do you have a... Are you working again soon?

yeah there will be a lot of music we're releasing a bunch of content i was just we've been shooting a bunch of videos we've got this album and we'll be releasing we've got a our friend cx kidtronic made us a very wonderful remix we're very excited to release and yeah so a lot of music stuff nice are you still living in new york is new york home or is la home um new york new york new york is the home base new york new york is the home base new york Vermont is the home base and then is LA off the it's not off it's just it's not off yet okay the fault lines hold as long as they're intact it's a possibility yeah um no no LA is awesome yeah and New York is awesome and Vermont is very awesome okay and I think yeah I'm I'm trying to be more

at home in the various places where I have to be all the time. We talked about this at the beginning of sort of disassociate home. Right. Yeah. Of like retaining your own self and your own sanity through this process, is that how are you doing that differently than, say, perks, which is probably an overwhelming experience to kind of bring it back full circle. Are you coming into all this talking to folks like me a little differently?

Yeah. I mean, sleeping. That's important. Eating. Kids out there. listen to Ezra. No, seriously, like, chill a little. Yeah. You know what I mean? Like, meditating. Yeah. You know, like taking some time to not be thinking all of the crazy thoughts that we're constantly, you know what I mean? Or just taking time and time with family,

time with my friends who I bounce it out a little bit. Love and value, you know what I mean? And like, yeah, making sure you stay close to your roots, even as your leaves brush the sky. This is the real stuff, man, sitting in front of curtains in front of cameras, talking to folks like me. This is authentic. Oh, yeah, yeah. This is where I derive the nourishment from. But actually, Josh, to be real, I think you do provide more person-to-person nourishment than his standard within a lights, cameras, interview context. I take that as a high compliment.

Thank you. Right back at you, buddy. We'll wrap up with, could someone help me since I'm tethered here to grab this little silly hat? Uh-oh. For the podcast, I usually ask folks to grab a couple random questions from an Indiana Jones Fedora because why not? Are you ready? I am. Okay.

Dig in there, Matt, buddy. Thanks for the audio. Help you. That's good. Yeah, yeah, I knew. It's crinkling. What do you like on your hot dog? Is this a question for you or for me as well?

I can answer too, but let's start, let's see if we gel. ketchup, mustard, relish. I wouldn't mind bacon or cheese. Wow. And if you want to throw on some sour crowd, I'd be pretty thrilled. Where's the hot dog in there? You've destroyed the hot dog with all these like... Oh, oh, I'm sorry.

Did I have to say hot dog is one of the ingredients? You're just saying that I'm drowning out the hot dog. That's what I'm saying. I'm hoping for a substantial hot dog that can hold its own. Right. Amidst to the fray. See, I'm a minimalist. How about you? Little mustard, that's all I need.

Little mustard, and that's it. And I don't want, not Yellowmester, rather. I cannot stand Yellowmuster. That's going to kill me. It's very Deutsche. That's the proper. You're on it. I respect that.

I respect your hot dog minimalism. One or two more, and then I release you back into the wild, Ezra. Yeah, I'm going for these juicy bottom ones. Yeah, I can see that. Deep in the fedora. All the amateurs take the top ones. What movie do you know by heart? I know a bunch of movies by heart.

Clockwork Orange, I can hit it pretty solid. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, I've got covered. Wizard of Oz, I'm pretty solid on even. All right. Yeah, a couple Muppet movies, Muppet Treasure Island all day, every day. Really, of all the Muppet movies, Treasure Island, huh? Are you kidding? Okay, I'm older than you, so I think back to Muppet Muppet Caper.

That's more mine. Word, and I'm with those, hard. Hard. But for me, Muppet Treasure Island. Right. Tim Curry. There you go. You're peeking.

That kid, that kid, you know. Right. That kid. The kid that stole the show. He stole the show. From the Muppet, which is tough to do. And he had that, you remember he had the rat tail? I need to return back to it. I'll be honest.

I was making my way through the first minute of that conversation. So good. Dude, the Muppet Treasure Island. Everyone, everyone, stop listening to the podcast. We have one more question. it's not going to get any better than this. Go and watch the Muppet Treasure Island again. You were nothing else from Ezra.

It's Clockwork Orange and Muppet. They make a good double feature. Go watch Clockwork Orange and then watch the Muppet Treasure Island. And you know what? Is that blank? You picked the blank one. That's where the interview ends, my friends. He got Yotsie. What does that symbolize?

Get on the couch for a second. Surrender to my understanding. Which I'm all for. Ezra, it's always good to see you, buddy. I'm very happy for you to be back in front of the camera for our benefit and for mine. These two you can have. Oh, thanks, bud. You can keep the blank one.

Yeah, yeah. We'll see you down the road. Thanks as always, man. You may know me as a guest on all of your favorite shows, and three shows you don't like all that much. But now, I have a show of my own. Spontaneation, where I pick the guests. I finally have the power. First, I interview wonderful people like Colin Hanks, Caitlin Olson, and Michael Sheen.

Then a cadre of elite improvisers and I will use that interview to spin a crazy improvised story. How crazy? This crazy. Diane, when we met, I used. may have ended your life by vampiric means and made you a vampire? That would explain why I keep drinking people's blood. And why your skin is so fresh and radiant.

Yeah, and I try to kill myself a bunch of times and it did not work. With music by the incomparable Eben Shletter and yours truly hosting, it's spontaneation, only on Earwolf. Only for you, Damien. I'm doing this for you. Pop.

Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop. Pop, pop, pop. Wolf Pop is part of Midroll Media, executive produced by Adam Sacks, Matt Goorley, and Paul Shear. Goodbye, Summer Movies, Hello Fall. I'm Anthony Devaney. And I'm his twin brother, James. We host Raiders of the Lost Podcast, the Ultimate Movie Podcast,

and we are ecstatic to break down late summer and early fall releases. We have Leonardo DiCaprio leading a revolution in one battle after another, Timothy Salome playing power ping pong in Marty Supreme. Let's not forget Emma Stone and Jorgos Lanthamos' Bougonia. Dwayne Johnson's coming for that Oscar in The Smashing Machine, Spike Lee and Denzel teaming up again, plus Daniel DeLuis' return from retirement. There will be plenty of blockbusters to chat. about two. Tron Aries looks exceptional plus Mortal Kombat too and Edgar writes the running man

starring Glenn Powell. Search for Raiders of the Lost podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.