Happy Sad Confused - Miles Teller, Sebastian Stan

Episode Date: March 16, 2016

On the 100th episode of Happy Sad Confused, the dynamically short-haired Miles Teller returns to join Josh to talk about Han Solo rumors, The Divergent Series, and his perspective on Fantastic Four. Then, the delightful Sebastian Stan joins Josh to talk about his many nicknames, The Bronze, and becoming the Winter Soldier in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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See Golden Nuggett Casino.com for details. Please play responsibly. Hey, guys, and welcome to another edition of Happy, Sad Confused. I'm Josh Horowitz with you for a very special show. Sammy's with me, as always, for the intro. Big day. Big day. We're trying something new out.

We're going to give you a little more bang for your buck, not that you're paying anything for the podcast, but we love you so much. We're giving you not one, but two interviews this week on the show. So the main interview, the main event, the newcomer, the podcast. We're always going to have someone that's never been on the show. This week is Sebastian Stan star of the bronze out in theaters this

Friday, a wild, wacky, crazy comedy that he is kind of flexing some new muscles in. And speaking of muscles, he's also well known as the Winter Soldier. There we go. Look at that segue. There we go. So he's kind of like the main guy, but a special bonus, I mean also a pretty

special dude, a main guy in his own right, we're catching up with Miles Teller. So Miles dropped by today. And I think we might experiment with this just to, on occasion, bring people in for shorter conversations that have been on the podcast before, maybe catch up with them. Miles, of course, has the new Divergent movie, Allegiant, Part 1. I'm actually off to see the movie momentarily. I'll report back to you next week on it. But, yeah, Miles dropped by to catch us up on...

To show you his new haircut. His new haircut. That's exclusively why you came, right? Yeah, you guys are going to love his haircut. that you won't be able to see. Right, that you can hear. But no, it was actually a really, it's always fun. He's one of my favorite interviews, Miles,

because he will say anything. He talked a lot about Allegiant, of course, but also those rumors, those Han Solo rumors about talking about being up for that role. I'm sure he's talking about that. He's, he's, I would be perfectly happy to see Miles

give a roll a shot. He's also... It's awkward as Sebastian Stan came in right after, and he's like, I'm going to do it. he's got plenty of other exciting things uh we also uh talk a little bit about the post um fantastic four um what do we call it yeah that's the word i mean you know uh but miles is very frank in terms of what went down on that and in terms of looking back on on the reception to it so um i think

you guys are going to enjoy this conversation with miles teller i know i did and uh we'll catch you on the other side and uh catch you on the flip side with mr sebastian stan but for now the one and only dynamically short-haired, charismatic, Miles Teller. Miles Teller. What's your viewership? What's your listeners? You asked me that last time. I know.

Are you about the same? No, no, we're kind of petering out. This is it. No one told you this is the last episode? Miles Teller joining... Sad, sad, confused. Sad, sad, pathetic. Thanks for returning to the podcast.

Of course, yeah, absolutely. I'll have you know you're the only the second person we've had on twice. I made a point, frankly, of not bringing people back. I want to keep it fresh. Right. But I had to make an exception for this guy. Well, availability. The other one?

Al Pacino. You're in good company, buddy. Me and Al. Perfect. Great. Is all well with you? Yeah, all as well. You're legenting right now. You're a mid-Alegent. Yes, Mid-Legent. And, yeah, so I just got done doing the junket.

They paired me up with Zoe, which I think was a wonderful choice by the studio. I was wondering who they would pair you up with who got the foot end of the straw this time, and it was Zoe. I mean, you got the short end. I mean, right. Yes, exactly. How is that dynamic? It was great. I mean, Zoe and I, We keep saying that we think Peter and Christina should have their own kind of love story because there's all of these. I know everyone gets caught up in the factions and what's going on with Tris, but look, Tris has found four.

Peter and Christina have been right next to each other since the beginning. She had Will at one point. Right. He's dead. So. Let nature take its course. Exactly. All this talk about factions gets people amped up. Right.

And I don't know. Having now been, you're now an esteemed veteran of a multi-million dollar franchise, having gone through this a couple times. One, only one. We never know about the other one. You never know. Fantastic. Two is going to be doing work. He might know.

One is a solid place to be. But yeah, one is good. Is it enjoyable that, you know, to do all the press and stuff? Like, it's not all on your shoulders. You get to, like, often I feel like people in the reviews, like Miles Curley has the most fun in these films. Like he's he's kind of like popping off the screen where he, Peter gets to have a bit of fun at the expense of others.

Yeah, for sure. And I think that the writers kind of did a good job with that in the beginning, Peter. When you're adapting these, these characters from a book, they're written a certain way, but then you have an actor come in and maybe the actor has a certain set of skills that you want to to kind of use. And I've always kind of been able to just be a. you know, throw some lines out there and I enjoy comedy and being able to bring some humor elements to the franchise, I think is important. And it's nice to have a kind of character that can

add some levity to the situation because it is, it's a fairly like serious tone. I mean, people are dying and people are getting shot and it's fairly, you know, there's some adult themes working there. And then, yeah, I get to play a guy who just comes in. It's funny, Every time I come on set I, you know, whatever, I just come in and crack some jokes and then I leave and then I let Trist kind of take care of saving the world. So it's a nice, I have a lot of fun with it.

I'll miss it when it's gone. And yeah, I like where Peters went. I didn't enjoy him so much in the first movie when I'm like, okay, I stabbed this guy in the eye because he's two slots or a spot ahead of me on this dauntless training scoreboard. oh, now I do this and it was just kind of like mean and bullying for the sake of bullying, but I liked an insurgent where I actually end up saving Tris' life and you see that

he believes in kind of restoring, you know, the faith a little bit, or if somebody helps him out, okay, yeah, I'm going to, I got to get there back now. Does it feel like a kind of a comfort to kind of have this kind of like to go back to every year for a few years? Oh, for sure. Yeah, because once it's done, then you're like, oh, man. And I hope, and I'm, you know, I've done well for myself and I hope to never really be in a position where I have to do something to pay my rent, although that is a very real, it's a very real thing. I think young actors, especially get criticized too hard for some of the choices they make when if you're in your 20s and you're leading any kind of film or if you're getting cast in any film that's being made and you actually get paid for it, like, that's a wonderful opportunity.

I can't tell you how many extremely talented actors that I went to NYU with, to Tish with, who I see, you know, popping up in commercials. And that's because it takes a while. Just, you know, it's tough. Well, and it's also, as you know, such a fickle business where it's like, if they're willing to put you in a lead role of something that may have some issues, but it's like the money's there and it's a decent, and you believe in maybe an aspect or two of it, who knows if they're going to come calling in two years.

So it is understandable. for folks that maybe like on the outside looking in like oh why would he take that piece of shit come yeah yeah exactly i think that it's a little you know it's a little harsh um what what is well is i think it's the first time we've chatted since uh fantastic four and uh and i talk to you a lot during that one yeah do you have some perspective on it do you feel like the wounds are too fresh still or no i i i heal i'm the wolverine of uh critical misses josh i it is funny though It's like every drama I've made has pretty much been reviewed almost at like 90%. Every comedy and or franchise I've tried to make is, you know, 50 or less, usually by a good margin.

But it's, you know, people think that when you make something like a fantastic four that doesn't do well, people think, oh, you phoned it in. And I couldn't, it couldn't be more untrue. You work harder on the bad films or the films that turn out. maybe not the way you intended, but you work harder because it's just not, something's not working. And you know it. But I feel bad because that movie becomes a bit of a, and I thought it was kind of unjustly critiqued that way. There was much, there are even bigger bombs if you're looking at how much money went into the production and then what they reaped back. But I think that it's unfortunate, a movie like that becomes a kind of a scarlet letter on a resume when so many talented people.

worked really hard and maybe, you know, a handful of people, you know, took it in a negative direction, but so many people worked really hard on that that are so talented. And that's just the way it goes. Is there a lesson learned on like the next opportunity like that that comes around in terms of anything that's within your control? Because so much of it is, frankly, out of your control. But like, there are things to look for that you're going to look for next time to avoid a situation like that? I mean, I feel like I, yeah, I mean, even going into that one,

it's like, okay, what was his director's, you know, last film or two, Chronicle, awesome, who are these producers, Simon Kimberg and, you know, Hutch Park and these top-notch, people that ran studios, and then who's the cast? Oh my gosh, I couldn't have picked a better cast. So, I mean, what I think is, I think was Clooney said you can make a good movie out of a bad script,

you can't make a, no, you can make a bad movie out of a good script. You can't make a good movie out of a bad script. And that's very true. So I would say if they're telling you, maybe your part's not as big and they say, oh, you're going to be bigger in the sequel or, oh, we're going to, we're going to rewrite and we're going to, yeah, we're going to take in all these notes. If you're in a position where you can say, hold off, I'm not signing off in this guideline until this script is exactly what you want it, then you're in a very fortunate

a position because I know actors that have been in literally Oscar nominated Oscar winning performances who've told me that script it was a struggle every day to get it to a place where we wanted it and we were always fighting for the best version of it so you know it's uh you do your best to make a judgment call and you hope for the best yeah and I I think early on my career I or before my career even started I think I thought that uh it would be it you know because you look at guys like a Leo and, you know, even Shia, really, to a certain extent, you think you're so protective over your resume and you want everything to be this building block and get noticed in a certain light. And then you realize that's just not how it happens.

And that so much of it as an actor is out of your control. I think where you can have more control is, uh, A, by just doing more films, you, your voice maybe garners a certain more attention. Yeah. But for me, I'm starting to produce now. And I think that's, It's a nice way to be able to protect, protect, not just yourself, but protect the story you want to tell because really for us, we're just a part of this story. The director has a vision, studio has a vision producers, you know, the writer initially and then the actors. So it's a, you know, it's all got to come together.

Are any of the ones in production now, something you're producing? No, I'm doing, there's this one. It's called the Stopwatch Gang. It's about a group of bank robbers kind of joined in Canada in the 80s and guys in their 20s and just this crazy story did some pretty big heist came became known as the stopwatch gang got busted broke out got busted broke out guy my character he ended up writing his book about the stopwatch game came a best-selling novel the woman who was editing it while he was in prison ended up marrying him he then relapsed tried to rob a bank at like 60 went back it's it's a crazy

story um but it's just that you root it's kind of like do you ever see that link letter film the newton boys Yeah, so that's kind of my pitch on. I love that movie. And the other one, Home is Burning. We just got that screenplay in. Jonathan Levine is going to direct it. And we're hoping to get that going first quarter next year. I'm curious, how the, I'm excited to see what you and Todd Phillips and Jonah haven't seen that one.

Yeah, I think you guys are going to be seeing a trailer pretty soon. Very hard movie to shoot because Todd, for the budget, he brings. brings these movies in he really gets a huge world out of it and what you then what's it called now does it it's called war dogs war dogs yes like arms in the dudes for a while or something right but i guess and because that's what the article was called from rolling stone but that's not a part of the lexicon so when we're throwing that out there arms and the dudes people are kind of confused by the tone of it i guess or whatever um but yeah we're in i mean we're in romania we're in morocco we're in l a we're in vegas we're in Miami and we basically every two weeks for 10 weeks we're in a different city or country so it was

tough but I've been wanting to work with Todd Phillips since yeah I remember early on in my career I got offered Project X and Footloose at the same time I didn't know really what my character was going to be in Project X because everything was so I mean it was called Project X everything was so under wraps but I remember thinking like if I had to choose it'd be very tough because even just working with Todd as a producer like I wanted to get in the comedy thing and he was to me he was like old school and well he's a fascinating guy too i mean just like i mean people don't know like his background even before all like the the comedy is like the docks he did yeah uh the hazing doc and gg allen stuff frat house he's an interesting have you seen

frat house yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah he gave it to me yeah so good yeah um and then the parents were like no we'll sue you that's right if you it premiered i think it's sundance then they said if this comes out because you got all these kids signatures while they're drunk on video, we're going to sue you. Yeah. And taxi cab confessions, that's Todd, too. Yeah, he started that.

I feel we've actually, we've been talking about Han Solo for a few years, you and I. I feel like it's coming to conversation. Who knows? I'm looking at a nameful, board full of names, New York folks.

You know, I'm sure there's some on that list as well. Who would I cast on that list? I would cast Paul Giamatti. Have you met with Lord and Miller? With who? Lord and Miller? You just like eased back into your seat. So have you met with the directors?

I've met Lord and Miller before. Okay. There you go. I don't know. If my career is going to come crashing down, it's not going to be in this. It's not going to be in your podcast. The word is that Chewbacca is going to be in it. Do you want to do an impromptu audition?

I'll be Chewy. You can be Han. I finally knew about that at the time. I would have read for Chewy. Too much, you know, let me hide behind the suit. Let's get a last question on this. Have you practiced in the mirror a little bit of your Han solo? Have you?

Never. I had never even seen any of the original Star Wars movies. until maybe a month before or a couple weeks before my first audition because I was like, I should check this out. Pretty good. It holds up. It holds up.

And I just love Harrison Ford. I think that's a great character. I love his brand of, I mean, so many guys would have played that part so wrong. And he had humor the right times, what he's masculine, but he's not afraid to be. Harrison Ford is a very big actor. When you see the facial expressions and the things he makes, he goes. big but he's just always he's just always the coolest guy

in the room and he's got all those great qualities so you can be the coolest guy in the room you're the coolest guy in this room right now I mean it's not so hard Josh it's me you and a Darth Vader Cheerios box

he's being literally there's actual and there's a picture of Michael Shannon as a non-sexual escort it's a really good sketch you should check it out Michael Shannon anything that he does is kind of I loved him in, was it mud when he's the scuba diver? Mud takes shelter.

I just saw a midnight special, the new one. Oh, man, I'm jealous. It's good. It's good stuff, man. Okay, so I'm going to see Elegion tonight. I'll see you at the premiere, hopefully. Cool. What do you off to do next?

What's the next? I'm working on some right now. Hence, I got the short hair going on, military cut. It's called Thank You for Your Service. Jason Hall, who wrote American Sniper, wrote this, and he's directing it. Steven Spielberg is producing with DreamWorks. We got about three weeks left, and it, I, I mean, this movie deals with soldiers, real guys, because it's based on the book by David Finkel, who wrote, Thank You for Service, and Good Soldiers, follows soldiers during the surge in Iraq.

Between 2005 and 2007 follows a couple of those guys when they come home. And it's very serious, I know, with the political race heating up, a lot of, you know, the candidates are voicing their opinion on the VA, the system, and how these guys, it's very specific where and when they can. kind of use these health care benefits and mental illness is just such a huge um just such a huge issue in our country so i we're all taking it's extremely seriously and it's it's probably the most important project that i you know could ever work on that's that's how much i i empathize with these guys who've been to war you know and i've and i've kind of been saying if you were if you were to have to split society into, you know, by only one factor. And you could say men and women, that gives you a pretty, you know, good idea. But I think that if you were to say people who've

been to war and people who haven't, right, because there's nothing that, that can prepare. There's nothing how you can relate to it. I think as an actor, it was almost sacred territory for me to play somebody with PTSD. But I, what usually ends up pushing me towards it instead of away from is just that I would rather I'd rather I do it, me do it than somebody else because I know how I can how I

how much of the story affected me so that's what I'm doing right now where are you guys shooting that shooting in Atlanta Hollywood East yeah everything's there in the galaxy etc dude yeah talk about a hard working guy that Chris is Pratt

because we have a lot of the same crew that was on passengers and yeah that schedule apparently was pretty brutal and he went right from that into Guardians too. I'm striking all the iron's hot, man. Don't let the iron get cold. Jesus. Like, man, hold on to that iron. So, I feel like I've had a lukewarm iron

for a couple of years now. Hold on to Miles Luke warm iron, everybody. What? Hello. Ennuendo Monday. I'll see you at the Premier Man. Me and Peter's princesses will be out in force. Oh, geez.

Okay, well, you're going to have to fight for a spot because they're coming. They don't care if it's raining. By the way, they're not these little sissy fans. They enjoy the hate. They feed on it? Yeah, yeah. They love it when it sucks.

That's what our boot camp instructor was telling us for this movie. I love it when it sucks. It makes me so happy. It's always good to see you, buddy. Good to see you. Today's sponsor of Happy Sad Confused. is Casper mattresses, obsessively engineered American-made mattresses at a shockingly fair price. And now, guys, you can get $50 towards any mattress purchased by going to casper.com slash happy

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mattress purchase by going to casper.com slash happy and using the code happy. Terms and conditions apply. That was the one and only Miles Teller, one of my favorite dudes, but Sammy, are you Snapchatting me right now? Yeah. Oh, God damn it, I hate you. I don't know why

I let you on these things. What did you just do? I, you'll see. Okay. Check me out by I'm on Snapchat guys, Joshua Horowitz. That's what's my plan. I'm trying my best. He's doing great. Sammy is a Snapchat wizard at MTV. You should definitely check out MTV on the Discover channel. There you go, yes. On Snapchat, they do really find special irreverent, weird work that's worth checking out.

My specialties are reverent and weird. That's why you're on the podcast. I hope you guys enjoyed that conversation with Miles Teller. He is truly one of my favorites. He really is. He really is. I have nothing but love for that guy. Sometimes it's a bad rap, but I don't think he deserves it.

I know. I agree. I defend him all the time. But on to the next strapping young man. I'm going to say, you did well today. I enjoyed walking past your office today. For a change. Sebastian Stan is the actor who, of course, is well known for his role in the Captain

America films, Winter Soldier, and now Civil War. The Martian, of course. As I said, the bronze is open this Friday. Check it out to see a different side of Sebastian Stan. We talk about a whole lot about his. very interesting career worth noting full disclosure he was on once upon a time Adam Horowitz my brother executive producer co-creator so we talk a little bit about that and many other things Sebastian's just a good dude and um what do you think his friends call him

it's fun we actually talk a bunch we talk a bunch about his nicknames and uh that's what I'm not going to tell you it's about it's literally it's literally in the first minute or two of our interview are you like hey Seb you were it's like you were in the room Really? Guys, check out this conversation. To be clear, I'm never allowed in the room. Yeah, no, no one is. I'm barely allowed.

Please enjoy this conversation with Sebastian Stan about his many nicknames and many wonderful films. Batch? Nope. You're going to have to listen like everybody else. Oh, baby. Here we go. It's good to see you, buddy. Good to see you, too, man.

I feel like I've been stalking on the streets of New York. And inadvertently, we've run into each other a couple of times recently. We have. Yeah, we've been passing familiar faces. That's right. It's a beautiful thing to see a familiar face in New York. It happens more than in L.A. Oh, yeah.

I find. I don't know. Absolutely. Well, I'm also the crazy person that when I'm in L.A., I don't drive. So I look like a crazy homeless person because I'm walking around. I'm like walking where people don't walk in L.A. But I do too. Yeah.

don't really drive in L.A. And like you, I feel like I'm the target, you know, for the cars when they pass you by on like Sunset or something. It's that asshole doing walking. Yeah. Why would he? Yeah. Teach him a lesson. Yeah. And then I was funny. I was walking on sunset like not long ago. I was going to the gym there. And I remember out of nowhere, this guy just hit me in the shoulder and was like, hey, bro, you go to Equinox? And I was like, I mean, I have. And he was like, you should come. We'll get a pump going. And I was like, I looked around and I was like, maybe this is because we're the only two people on the street.

Right. You invited that. It's on you, man. Anyway, you know. Yeah, it is. It's a different kind of a, yeah, street interaction in L.A. versus New York. New York, you're conditioned to bump into things. L.A., if you touch anything, like everyone's in their hermetically sealed bubble.

You're the whole city's designed for you to not to interact with human beings. Yeah. I actually try to interact with human beings in New York before. I'm a morning person, but I try to do it before like 11. Right. am you get it you tend to get a better reaction people you know have had a little coffee they're still like oh the day could be okay you know there's still potential before afternoon it's we're already like don't ever look at me ever again kind of new york mode

so you moved to new york recently no i've always been here oh you have yeah i mean i i've been here i moved to the city when i graduated in o five and i've been here since i never i never left so And Swade has team Stan ever said, dude, you got to just live out there or bite the bullet. Yeah, somehow I have not. Most of my representations here, my manager, who I've known for 17 years, has always been here. And so she's, you know, she was a big New York fan. And, yeah, somehow I lucked out. And it's just more your speed all around.

Well, yeah, I mean, I've always grown up in cities, so I'm more used to an urban environment than I am necessarily to like, you know, even now in L.A. I have moments where I kind of walk out of the hotel or the Airbnb that I'm in or whatever and I kind of go, oh, I have to, I just want to get like a Diet Coke and I have to drive for it. It's a thing. It's a thing that I have to, it still requires some getting used to. But maybe it's just the immediate. of New York, I guess that's more appealing. Yeah, I always say, like, I think I would not, I would not interact with life as well in L.A. or anywhere else. Like, I grew up here in the city. You did, right. And I kind of, like, need that collision, that constant collision to kind of, like, I think it sparks creativity, but it also kind of exposes you to everything and anything. It's just, I don't know, it feels like a better way to be, for me at least, for some.

I agree, because I think, I think walking the streets is a very, you know, You know, it could be helpful in numerous ways, whether it's, whether it's pure for entertainment or to get some sense as to what your life's about. Yeah, exactly. Or, you know, sometimes. I need a long lock again. Yeah, again. Or sometimes it's, but I think what acting it helps because you just, you're around people

and you just see so much strange stuff. Absolutely. well um all which is to say it's good it's good to see you it's good to have you here i mean we've talked many times over the years but never at really at length in this kind of a format so um and obviously you know you've crossed paths with full disclosure with with the other horowitz the aforementioned i have of course yeah which i never forgot that you guys are brothers i know and that because since you did say new york for you is that where you guys come together for family stuff yeah yeah yeah exactly oh okay he'll come by for the for a few holidays of the year but

Now, he's obviously got a bunch of kids, so it's also like a little harder. But, yeah, luckily, in that there's quite a bit for work, so I get a good uncle time. Oh, in L.A. Right, of course. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. So you have the esteemed honor of being the first Sebastian that's been on the podcast. Congratulations. Oh, good.

Thank you. You're breaking new ground. Thank you. I feel like you might be the most notable Sebastian in the entertainment industry. I can't even think of other Sebastian. I don't know about that. I feel like they're, yeah, I'm not sure. Sebastian Bach.

What do we talk? You know, I mean, we're not... Well, that's, I think why my mom named me, Sebastian was after Sebastian Bach. Oh, is that right? Yeah, yeah, because she was a, she was a pianist. Oh. And then she was like, I don't know what else could go with Stan, which is such a funny name to me, Stan. Yeah.

It just makes me think of, like Newman from Seinfeld, even though... Right. I think he played a Stan. Or what's that actor's name? Oh, Wayne Knight. Wayne Knight. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, I always...

I always, Stan was a very awkward name for me in high school. So, but still reconciling this. I can see you're still, still inner turmoil is still. No, it's fine, but I still get a little, like, when I get to a hotel and someone's like, Mr. Stan, and I'm like, I don't know, that sounds weird. Wow, it doesn't fit. Interesting. It's like a strange. What would you mean yourself?

Do you have another name in mind? No, I would not. I would not change my name. Although, yeah, no, no, no, I'm happy with it. According to the ever reliable IMDB, which is always right, it lists a few nicknames for you. Okay. None of them are true, by the way. I'm not sure how that made it over there.

Okay. Let's see. Sebs? Has anyone ever called you that you have any affection for? Is that a real thing? Sebs? I don't think so. No, not that I remember.

Baz? Definitely not. I mean, I'm not sure where that came from. Seby? My mom did call me that, yeah. Okay, okay. Yeah, and in high school I had that. Your mom apparently is updating your IMDB page.

She is online a lot. Let me tell you. And this is my personal favorite, the weiner soldier. The weiner soldier is actually, I actually think, I didn't come up with it. But my customer on set came up with it. It made me a T-shirt one time as a thank you gift. And it had a hot dog. Sure.

And instead of the wiener, it was like the medal. arm and it was like weaner soldier and so like you know uh sometimes we would have like the alter ego which was on say you know because like he's always like winter soldier and then it was like weiner soldier would come out you know like once in a while but every once in a while you you know you do what you can to get to get through long hours sometimes especially when you're dealing with heavy dramatic like serious material like you got to kind of keep yourself tracking out. Sometimes the leader soldier can help everybody. Speaking of lightning up a little bit, I referenced it earlier.

You're here promoting the bronze, which is a film that I was there in Sundance. I saw it that opening night at Sundance, which was a fun at night because it was, I mean, you never know what you're going to get on a Sundance film period, let on opening night. And I think people didn't know what the hell they were like dealing with because it's so out there. Well, it's a ballsy comedy. No, I mean, I, yes. And I personally love it just for that. But you know how in movies sometimes, like, you know, like, for example, I watch Berman on my way over here on the plane.

And again, which is, and it's a great movie. But you know how, like, sometimes in movies, you have like a shot of the awning of the movies playing and the audience is coming out. And you hear, like, soundbites of them being like, it's a really great play. And, like, coming out of the Sundance that was like, they're like, what did they have here? Didn't they have Whiplash first night last year, you know? I was told it would be more like Whiplash. And I was like, yes, that's right. Right, we are our own entity.

Definitely. But it's true. I'm with you. I think people were laughing in the theater and going and then catching themselves fearfully clutching their breast. Like, why did I just laugh at that? Because it is funny. Did you have that experience reading the scripts, hopefully? Or did it?

Yeah. I mean, for me, it was like, you know, I was reading it. And I had to call up my friends and start quoting it. And I was like, you got to hear this. This is like really funny. And that usually is a good sign to me in terms of interest. And then I'd wake up in the middle of the night and think about the character and go, oh, you know what would be funny is if he just like carried chapstick with him.

And he was like always, you know, making sure his lips were hydrated. Right. And I was like, so just things like that that kind of, then if it stays with you, it's usually. It's a good sign. Yeah, because then you're going, oh, I'm excited to go to work. Yeah. I mean, do you get much comedy? offered to you? Is that also part of the equation that like, oh, they actually thought that they're

interested in me? Well, that was, I've always, first of all, I'm, I'm a huge, like, Deplaz Brothers fan. I mean, I told them they were at the premiere in L.A. for this, and I ran to them and I said, I want you to know I'm so excited about together in this season two. I've always liked their stuff. And just to have them behind this was a huge proponent for sure in terms of, because that's the kind of comedy I would love to be associated with for sure. And then Brian Buckley, the director, is really funny. Melissa is so talented and Thomas is really talented. And so sort of a no-brainer for me, but I don't.

People don't usually think of me as comedy. Between the Bronze and I'll play this podcast, we're going to get the word out. Yeah, exactly. We'll see. Does it feel, I mean, does this reflect your sensibility comedy-wise? Comedy-wise? Like, what's the stuff that you mentioned togetherness and DuPas Brothers? what were your first kind of comedy

Touchstones or what are they now? Well, speaking of, I mean, I was, when I was growing up, Jim Carrey was huge for me. I mean, that's the kind of comedy. That was a big thing for me. And funny enough, I worked on a show that he produced about stand-up comics, which is coming out on Showtime.

Oh, yeah, yeah. Called I'm dying up here, which is in the fall. Jonathan Levine involved. Yeah, who was another really, really, awesome talented guy and loved his for movies um so it was very broad the kind of comedy i was sort of thinking about but but uh yeah i mean just i mean the will feral christin wigs of the world are just geniuses to me and and then i always i like movies that are a little bit darker i i was a big fan of very bad things yeah you know and borat and bridesmaids and and comedy that's sort of

of not afraid like elf was a great movie um and and the bronze is a little bit kind of on the edge you know because it it i think it's it's afraid to it's not afraid to hold any punches but also um just to kind of expose the the humor and how cynical sometimes we are as people you know and also i really love that movie airplane and the idea of someone walking through an airport Hitting people left and right is still something I think about when I walk through an airport. I would never do it in my life. But, you know, I look at this movie and I go, my God, what would life be like if we really all just said whatever we wanted to say at any moment in time, which is how I feel that hope

and my character lands kind of live a little bit in this life. It's just free, you know, they don't hold anything back. They just, and they hurt people in the process, but. I mean, how freeing that. that must be for you guys as actors where it's like, usually we all have these inhibitions, these societal pressures where it's like, you're not supposed to say the wrong thing. And to play a character where literally whatever enters your brain kind of is okay. Absolutely. And, you know, I mean, at the end of the day, you can't have characters like that

unless they are completely insecure and have a humongous hole inside that they are constantly trying to fill. And, you know, both of these characters grew up without childhoods, really. I mean, it's sort of the darker side of Olympic gymnastics, if you will, which is that they, you can be dedicated and to be competitive and to go to that level. You have to give up so much. And it's not always pretty sort of like the outcome. But not to mention that I went, you know, I knew this kind of a character. I've met him before.

Oh, my God. And so he was a combination. of a few things, you know, people like I've come across in life or in high school or something. And I was like, oh. Do you think anyone that you know would see themselves in your portrayal or you worry about them? I mean, I do, I do, I do think about it. I've thought about it. But, hey, you know, it's fine.

I mean, what are you going to do? You've probably spent a good amount of doing press for this film talking about sex scenes, I would imagine. We did, yeah, which is good. You don't always get to do that. So, what is there left to say, except that there is a very memorable sequence in this film? Yeah, I mean, I'm trying to think what there's left to say. It was, there is the sequence that is so out there that it makes you think whether, can someone really have sex like that? And should I, should I attempt it?

Is it a good idea? Is it painful? Is it enjoyable? Yeah, I mean... Is it impossible? Yeah, I mean, I just, I think Melissa and Winston wrote this thing and went, you know, they described it as when you think of gymnasts and you think, man, they're so flexible, they're so strong, they're so, you know, what's the word? Palpable? Nimble? Yeah, exactly. Like, how do they go for it when they go for it?

And this was sort of what we came up with is that they could probably do some of this stuff. Is it hard to go back to something that this is, you know, I would think a relatively small-scale budget after you do something along the lines of these of the Marvel films? Like is it kind of refreshing in its own way to like, I mean, I'm sure, you know, the cliche of like the catering budget on cap is probably equivalent to what you made the bronze floor. Yeah, I mean, there's there's things like that. I would say that sometimes the neat thing about working on something smaller per se is the fact that

everyone just kind of ends up interacting with one another a lot more and it becomes a little bit more of a collaboration. I mean the thing with the bronze, which was so great, it was Brian and Melissa and Winston Rouch were all like what should we do with this take?

What could we say? How do we? improvise. Where do we take the character next? Yeah. And it was very, which was why it was a little scary for me in terms of just improv and kind of being witty and on the spot and coming up with new stuff. And sometimes with Marvel, you can't do that so much because you do have the source material. You do have very specific things that need to be shot certain way. You've got, you're dealing with a lot of different people and their schedules. And sometimes people come in for a week and then they fly out to do something

else or that they return or I can you know I can work straight for a month and then go home for a month and come back so it's a little bit more whereas like on this we had 22 days you know we're there every day it's like you're just everyone's kind of on set all the time sure and watching everybody and so it's it can be more intimate at times so um you're also so you're going to kind of go from this relatively soon into again like crazy promotion I would think on civil war right oh right yeah It's going to be bananas. The new trailer is amazing, by the way. Oh, cool.

I mean, everybody's super excited for this. Yeah, it's surreal. Surreal. So does where you've gone with this character thus far exceed kind of your expectations in terms of like where you began in terms of when you agreed to be a part of this in the first place? Of course. I think it's always a discovery. I always end up learning something new about the character each time, which is I think the blessing of

working on something and being able to return to it which is why I think a lot of actors even in TV have such a great time because they go we have all this opportunity to not just put two hours into a character we can come back and it's always a discovery and certainly if I were to have met you

five years ago when we did the first one I wouldn't have been able to tell you where they were going to take it how they were going to do it what would have been like so so it's still So, yeah, it's always new. So I'm curious, like, what was the nature of, like, the conversation after you sign on to the first one and you're playing this character?

Like, did they, did Feigey or whoever say, like, look, it's possible you could end up being Winter Soldier? You may not. This is one way to go. There are a thousand different ways, or were they? They actually, yeah. I mean, they, it wasn't even that. It was much more, this is what happens to the character.

And the first one in, in First Avenger. Right. But they were like, eventually over time, you come to winter soldier and so on. And this is, you know. And I was fascinated, but I definitely had that question in my mind going, do I ask them if they're actually planning on doing this? Or they're trying to tell them? Because I'm with you. Like, you got my thumbs up.

I'm ready to do it. You know, but I never really asked. Just make the leap. Like, so I understand that's what happens in the comics. So are we actually going to do it? I just remember when we were shooting the first scene, that scene where I fall off the train in the first movie. Originally, they were going to have the whole arm sort of like slightly, you know, kind of like missing while I was still hanging on the train.

And I was like, oh, it's a good sign. I was like, oh, this is good. I know what this is going. And then in the reshoots, we come back and they're like, by the way, we have to kind of tweak that scene a little bit. but we think we should keep your arm. And I was like, oh, my God, he's not, he's not, he's dead. He's not coming back, you know. And so, um, so funny.

But, but yeah, I mean, it's by far exceeded the expectations I've had and sort of, it's, it's just a, it's a feeling of gratitude because I, I really do feel like it's a family. And everyone gets along so well. I mean, I just don't want to say anything to jinx it, but, but it's the truth. I mean, we get to come back and it's almost like a, it's like the Golden State Warriors, you know, you just come back. I mean, I'll put us up there next to that. I mean, they're, you know, we, we get together. It's a team.

It's an effort and you're traveling as a team and you're, you know, you're, you want to, everyone has the best interest of the film in mind. And that's, sometimes, you know, it's, it's tough. you don't always come across that sometimes you come across different people who have you know alter your things that they get out of the experience but i i feel like everybody here has the same goal in mind which is like let's just make the best movie we possibly can right and and we're damn lucky we're doing this well and it's amazing to see so again like i mean there's a lot of luck involved there's a lot of smart moves involved in terms of the cast uh and crew frankly that in all these films but the fact that like they are a lot of different kind of big personality

is involved and you have downy and downy like you know downy willing to kind of like be like second fiddle in a movie at the stage like to cap it's like a big kind of thing right and then you've got you know i mean the i can only imagine when you go to bed at night if you hear anthony macky's voice in your head i sometimes i do yeah like where is he in the family dynamic is he just like the other brother that won't shut up like the uncle that won't shut up oh man i mean he's so special i i i can't sneak into a room he's not not a he's not a quiet man no i definitely i i definitely feel like i remember we were shooting the scene um there was a scene where it was like really dramatic or something i was like oh my god

we got it we have to hurry up before anthony gets here because i'm not gonna i'm not gonna be able to keep a straight face and it's gonna be it's this intense scene and i'm you know um but i yeah it's usually like the boomerangs you know like thrown and he's coming but oh man i mean you need that he it's just like it's a joy to have that kind of energy around you and then to bounce

off of um especially like because what I really got to know Anthony actually was in the press tour last year because we didn't really have many scenes together in this in the second film the winter soldier film right so and then I realized oh my God like we I have to be with him

all the time one of the most entertaining metal and so I just flipped through the hey, like, what's more important to me than anything? It's like, I'm like, where do I hit Anthony in the face in this movie? Where am I fighting the Falcon, you know? You get a little of that. You get a little something, something? I do, yeah.

I get excitement when I see that happening. I'm not going to badger you too much on plot stuff because that's a needless pursuit that nothing's going to come of, but that's okay. And I'm curious, though, I'm curious, like, way back when you auditioned for Cap as well, right? Which isn't curious, like the same way over on the Thor side. Hiddleston auditioned for Thor and ended up with this great part. You end up with this great part even if maybe, I don't know if there was any disappointment at the time.

I mean, give me a sense. No, it's weird because I even went out for Thor. I mean, not for Thor, but I went out for, I think it was actually funny enough, Josh Dallas's part. Oh, sure. Back in the day. And definitely no disappointment. I mean, I don't know.

I didn't know a hell of a lot about. Captain America and in the world. Yeah, and what happened was the focus was so much on cap and casting cap that no one really was even thinking about Bucky, or at least no one was talking to me about it. You know, I hadn't even heard about an audition for Bucky. I'm not, and I think it really was, yeah, just in the combination of tests, I mean, I was making audition tapes. From Berlin, funny enough, I was doing a little movie there and then sending tapes in for Cap and they kept giving me notes and then I just happened to be in L.A. to go in the room and then I was told about the test and but the whole experience was so wild.

Was there ambivalence about that kind of a film and signing on to that kind of a thing at the time? I mean, at that point, we didn't know Marvel was going to be like this, like, you know, spotless track record. Definitely not. Other than I really, I was, you know, I had looked at the size that I had, basically, and I was just treating it off of that. I, you know, I hadn't read the comics. I didn't really do a lot of work on the, I just was like, I'm just going to find the truth of what's in here. And maybe that helped me. I'm not sure because maybe they looked at it and they said, you know, this guy is like, you know, I don't know, flexing.

his eyebrows too much. He should be a darker character. I have no idea, you know. But yeah, I think I'm happy that it worked out the way it did. I, I'm 100% I feel like it's the right, this is the right way. I mean, I remember when I didn't get it, I was disappointed a little bit as you are investing any time and sort of of yourself into any, any part which still happens to me today but then I had another phone call which kind of was like would you want to go in for this bar maybe

and that sort of felt nice because it wasn't over yet it must feel also gratifying that you know not only has it turned into a very satisfying part over a series of films and working with these great actors and filmmakers but clearly I mean it's afforded you other opportunities

or you would have to say it right whether it's the bronze or the Martian I mean you're on a good run in terms of very disparate, interesting, eclectic films right now. Well, I, without a doubt, I credit, I credit, you know, Marvel with that. I mean, that's why it's, like I said, I'm never going to forget where I come from. I mean, I'm, I have a major loyalty that way, sort of embedded in me. And I, you know, it just, the opportunities that came from the movies is, like I said, more than I ever thought or expected.

And it's allowed me, I think, to be able to get to the attention of some of the other films. Yeah, absolutely. So just the idea is to try to further work with interesting people and people that I admire and, you know, whose work I appreciate. And I'm a firm believer that you just become a better actor if you're surrounded by good actors. And that that's all I keep focusing on. Do you think, I mean, for background's sake, I mean, you grew up, Romania, then moved to Vienna, if I'm correct, and then to New York, right? You were around 12 by time you came to the States. I mean, in looking back or at the time, do you feel like you have kind of a different perspective on American culture or, I mean, those are key years up until 12?

Or do you feel as indoctrinated in all our horrible sitcoms and? Well, silly movies and anybody else. It's so funny. I mean, I had a bizarre, the things I was watching

were like Beverly Hills 9-2-1-0. I was watching that before I even got to the States growing pains. It's funny because I was having a conversation

with somebody. I was like, oh, I got to watch Fuller House because I haven't even seen Full House. But the Wonder Years, all these,

you know, even Sesame Street, I never grew up with. Power Rangers I really liked. Back to the future. future. I mean, those movies were huge. But I think when I first came here, I actually, because we were talking about names

before, I was really concerned with being different. And I wanted to be like everyone else more than anything. I mean, I actually wanted to change my name even. You know, thank God my mom didn't let me because I wanted to change it to Christopher, believe around. That's how. And I actually didn't want to speak Romanian. I was only speaking English, I was just I was going to have a new identity. You were just to remake yourself into an American. But I think that's

yeah, I mean, I think that's just a culture shock of like being thrown in a world which also just any kid wants to blend in. They don't want to feel. Right. Yeah, they don't want to feel like the weird one. Exactly. That's a certain point you do want to feel like the weird one, but early on maybe you don't. You want to. Early on you don't and then somewhere around like 16

when I, when I started, or 15 when I started acting and in like school plays and and whatnot. Then I was like, oh, I think it's like interesting that you're from somewhere else and blah, blah, blah. Like, it's, you know, suddenly became, but not at the beginning. It was freaked out. So what's the first paying gig?

What's the first, like, that I ever got? It's definitely law and order. I was a sophomore in college, and it was, it was uh had jerry orbach and jesse l martin you got the authentic on older experience tie burrell play my my dad amazing which was he was like the scariest man i've ever met i mean the fact that he's you know later on like kind of be one of the funniest people i've ever seen um but that was it sophomore year yeah were you going out of your mind were you actually believe or not i'm wrong there is this movie you michael hannocky which is course michael hannock is amazing

I don't know what I would have to do today to get him to hire me probably really cut off my arm. I don't know. But I actually was in one of his films when I was when I was oh God, it was like 10. I was in Vienna.

My mom was taking me to auditions actually. And I was playing an orphan, homeless, remaining kid. And it was this movie he apparently directed. You barely knew you were in the film. You were just walking. Walking through the scene. Yeah, I had like one scene in the subway where I was like walking and, you know, that was it.

And I just remembered being up all night and being like, oh, my God, this is terrible. I can't do this. By the time you got to Law & Order, you were, were you obsessed? It was like, this is it. Well, I had, I'm lucky because I had a really great college experience, you know, Rutgers, Mason, Girl, School of the Arts was really a great school for me. I mean, I still believe, before even Law & Order, the kind of work that we were doing there, some of the plays and stuff have stuck with me to now.

And that, I think, really, and which is funny, because even when I got Law & Order, I was more concerned with wanting to be in school than actually continuing to get professional work. It was so satisfying and interesting. Yeah, I mean, it's a great program. You know, they have, it was only, 15 of us in the class

and I mean I got to know those people for life everybody was extremely close and it was a very nurturing environment in terms of it's a conservatory program in the middle of this massive state school which is wild

because you get a little bit of the both worlds you know and yeah it just was challenging in a good way we were doing plays like suburbian speed the plow and just really playwrights on the planet and brilliant stuff

Yeah, and I think that was really helpful. So is there a bit of disappointment or something once you're kind of like out of school? And, you know, if you look at kind of the early resume, you know, there's a lot of like, what I would call like the hot dude parts. You know, you're kind of, you had a little bit of hot dude typecasting, I feel like. Which, you know, apparently, but I don't know. I'll tell you what's nostalgic about college. I feel like acting school to me is when you're a kid, you know, you're a kid, you know, you're, you're, you're just like just doing everything.

You're playing 56-year-old men, you know, you can play whatever. You can, no one's telling you no. And then you get to college and you get to, you know, in the acting school, and it's like, hey, you've got to learn how to play yourself. You've got to learn how to play your age. You've got to be, you know, these are the parts you'll be going for. Yeah. So that was a little hard just because then you're like, oh, I'm just kind of a limited person as a 20-year-old.

college student that's you know these aren't necessarily a little off yeah to play after i just played yeah suddenly you start looking at like you know the james deans and the whole thing and you're you're going that's where i'm you know or you find whatever that is for you you know to look up to um and but rutkers still actually that being said we were still allowed because they have an they have a london program at the globe which funny enough at the time that was 2003 had mark rylance as the artistic director which was crazy because i got to see him that early on um but but i think yeah when you get out of school it gets a little bit like you know you you learn how to really play yourself and you learn a few of your

strengths and i think the challenge then becomes to continue uh to not let that become your for its own, but to continue to challenge yourself, to try something new, to take on different roles that kind of like can help you expand or something. Because you'll have a toolbox, but I think if you're not careful, you'll end up with that toolbox forever or you try to stretch yourself. I think a lot of people were hardened to see that you clearly have some affection, or at least the affection for the cast of the covenant. I thought you're going to say the coming on the gossom girl cast because i certainly had affection there too i'm sure no but i do i mean all those all those guys are yeah kitsch has been on the podcast he's the best i love him they're just

the best i mean i'm i was with them for new years this past year it was a 10 10 year reunion it's like you know we've known each other because of that movie yeah did it feel like um i'm with a bunch of guys in my age group we're all kind of like in the same stage of our career where this mad crazy dude, Rennie Harlan trying to make a witch movie, like what, I mean, let's just... Yeah, I mean, it was so wild because I think all of them to some extent didn't like

me when they first met me. They're like, you know, but we all, we all got along really well. It, I think we've all grown up so much. What did you do? No, no, I was, well, I was sort of playing like the bastard kind of guy

in the movie or whatever, and so... They were going method, or were you going method? No. Oh, we just, we were just laughing a lot about, you know, kind of like just the parts that we were playing, you know, and they're like, I remember, I think Kitch at one point pushed me down to hell in this big wide shot. I don't even know if it's in the movie or not, but we were like running and he just like went, eh. It was just very funny to me. But I hope that's how he actually pushes people with the saddest little sound effect. Listen, his character's name, the movie was, I think, poop.

boogie. Or is it, oh, no, it was pogue. That's, that's kind of a fun name for, for, yeah, I always, I always tell him he's overweight every time I see him. Someone has to get him. He's letting himself go. He's a mess. Yeah, exactly. Has the TV stuff been kind of nurturing and as rewarding throughout, whether it's been, you know, Mad Hattern once upon a time, or gossip girl, political animals? I mean, you've, you've not shied away from, from getting involved in TV and some, I would think, rewarding parts along the way. Oh, absolutely. I would say, you know, I don't have anything I look back on that I did and kind of go,

oh, God, why did I do that? It's just because everything really helped me go from one thing to the next. I mean, with Gossip Girl, it was great because, like, if you were living in New York and that was a great job because you could stay in New York and that's, you know, It was about New York. It was about kids in New York. It had chase in it, you know. And so that was its own thing.

But, uh, does that, like, will that ever go away when you're walking the streets of Manhattan? I was going to say, and then you just become your character and start dating someone on the show. Oh, no. And you're going to go. You were going to go. It wasn't. Um, what were we going to say is. You were just living the character.

Just living the dream. Living the dream. Living the dream. Upper, upper east side. No. I bet I was going to say I would imagine if anything maybe sticks maybe not I mean you have affection for it clearly but like I would think again being in New York that's one of those shows like a 902 one no back in the day that really the people that loved it's yeah no well that's how gothic girl was I feel like you know it was just a it was its own phenomenon you know they really tapped into something I mean I have I have people that you know even now sometimes I'll walk you know if I'm up in the upper east side they'll be like Carter Bayley And I was just, you know, kind of go, yeah, that's part of it. But a lot of kids that I think are sort of familiar with that lifestyle, they found the show to be kind of accurate, which was always interesting for me to find out.

And I lucked out with, you know, I ended up doing Kings here, which was like a quick show didn't last very long. Yeah, it's work with you and McShane. Yeah, it was just another, you know, a great group of people. It was another opportunity to stay in New York. You know, Poloka Animals was also about the group of people involved. And the mad hat was an awesome role. Like it was something I, you know, I didn't get to do that anywhere, really. Just to play a dad or to have, like, it was amazing how much was fleshed out in an episode.

Is there, I've asked actors, this question a lot, but I'm always curious. Like, is there like an idealized kind of like director or experience? you're chasing that you've already had like whether because you know you work with someone like Ridley Scott who's his own kind of animal but then like you've worked with Jonathan Demi a couple times which I'm fascinated by he's definitely yeah on a different kind of end of the spectrum well do you find it all as invigorating and exciting or do you feel like there's one you gravitate towards in terms of a kind of experience or kind of a I it's all learning it's all learning lesson but those two are very different because because really Scott will really feel like

he's not even there. I mean, he'll really let you just do your thing. And you won't get anything, you know, you won't get like, you know, necessarily great job or unless it's like, look, we got to change something and it's terrible. Then then at least he'll talk to it, I think. But you don't get the constant kind of in your face. Yeah, or try this. So let's, because he's, he's already 15, 20 steps ahead, you know. But Jonathan Demi is someone that's much more hands-on, very specific. I mean, the funny thing is we had this scene in Ricky in the Flash, which was like the dinner scene with Meryl Streep and Kevin Klein. And I remember it was a very, to me,

it seemed like a very simple scene on paper, you know, but on the day, he wanted something very specific and I really felt like I wasn't getting it. And I was getting very nervous because I'm going, oh my God, like we're still in the scene now because I'm holding everybody back. including her. You know,

like, I'm like, she may want to be going home right now, but I'm, you know, like, Carol's going to go home to her kids and be like,

sorry, I missed dinner, but this guy, Sebastian didn't get it. And I can't tell if she's still in character or if she's really like had it or, you know, because she,

her character was very sort of kind of, you know, whatever, whatever, go with the flow, whatever, whatever, you know,

it takes me to the next moment. And so, um, But funny enough, I feel like later at the end of the day, I was able to, and I got very frustrated, actually, because I was like, oh my God, I feel like every time he's coming over here, it's like a new note. I'm not getting it. But at the end of the day, I'm not sure whether he was really kind of getting at something and leading me there without me kind of catching on. Or whether, you know, I wasn't getting it per se, but he just kind of was pushing it a little. But at the end of the day, I could see that he was happy. It's just kind of, you have to sort of trust these directors. You have to really surrender to them. And you have to, you know, kind of adjust to each one.

And that's, I think, of the big learning lesson as an actor. Because if you have someone that's more hands-on, you've got to stay open and available. And then if not, then you've got to make some choices. It's interesting because we just had Miles Taylor just dropped by. We were just talking about surrendering to kind of directors and trusting in them. And, like, I mean, you can do that with a demo. You can do that with a Ridley Scott, but you can also get burned with, like, someone that doesn't know what they're doing. And that's, that's a lesson learned, too.

And you don't want to take the wrong lesson from that of not trusting the director. I remember, I remember there was, you know, in that little scene I have in Black Swan. Like, I remember giving, you know, I had a couple lines with, like, Natalie Portman. I remember giving those lines and then hearing Aronovsky go cut. and going like, hmm, okay, I think that was a good, I gave a good couple of lines, you know. And then he walks over, he's like, okay, great. So now we know you can, now you know we can act. So let's really do it.

And I was like, but that was what I thought that was the good, like, what does he mean, you know? Amazing. Thanks for that. Now let's really do it. So everyone's very specific. To be fair, he probably gave the same kind of notes. It sounds like to Mickey Rourke. Mickey Rourke, like, you know, was.

The man is incredible. Incredible. I mean, he's, you know, he's amazing. Again, you're working with somebody who, you have to, like, you put yourself in that environment. You expect that these people are going to push you. They're going to, they're not going to, they're not necessarily there to be your friends. They're not supposed to be your parents. You know, they're there to get the best out of you. And you kind of have to, you know, you put your ego in check and you go, okay, like, we got to go. Do you consume a lot of film? It sounds like you do. It sounds like you're, uh, well, um, we're not to. much. No, I do. I just, I think it's funny because I go, well, do I just watch a lot of stuff? Or is it just because I'm learning? No, but I do. I think you have to, I think it's, you have to watch movies. And I try to go all over the place, you know, I mean, even something that necessarily doesn't pop out and interest me right away. I want to go see because I want to know what kind of movies are being made. Yeah. Who's the, who's the most interesting actor to you nowadays?

who's like some of them. I mean, look, you've got, you know, you've got him up here. I mean,

Michael Shannon is, you know, Michael Shannon to me is incredible for numerous reasons, but one of the things that I really appreciate about him is that I feel like, um,

there's never, there's never a dishonest moment with it. You know, you're always just getting the 100% truth, which he probably may argue and say, no, you're not. I'm in my head or I don't,

all sometimes, but it's, and someone that really makes good use of their intensity. Yep. Yeah, there's, I think you captured it well. It's like, I always say like, going back away, it's like someone like Gene Hackman, I always say it as like my director because he was like, I never saw

a false move from it. It all just felt like just organically, just was, that's, we were just capturing him on the film. He wasn't acting. You didn't see the acting. Well, because I think a teacher long ago said to me, he's like, look, you come in with, this is your DNA. This is like what you're carrying

with you. So you lay it down on the table and you know like a little puzzle and you look at it and you go what are you going to do with it? You know because it's because it ain't going away right. So you're either going to learn how to make it you work for you or work with it but don't try to be someone else

you know and that's what I feel about these actors when I see them is like they go they really know how to they have an in it seems to kind of themselves. Totally. That's That's what helps in my thing. In our remaining moments, I've got a bunch of random questions.

You don't have to have to ask. Yes. Is this kind of like our inside the actor's studio? Yes. What is your favorite curse word? Yes. Any random question in there and answer or throw it in my face or what we want. I'm very excited about the Happy Sack confused by that.

Because, you know, I look at it on your. Oh, man. When I was a kid, my hero was. Um Kisses Yeah Maybe Jim Carrey I guess I have to go with

Okay I'm gonna see you He's been son of A Centora soon Oh We'll see If he'll ever do any I don't know He's got to come back around at some

Do I keep going Yeah keep to do one or two more Pick your own end Okay Yeah No don't do that Three hours later I'll be here

The last gross thing I ate Was Damn it This is the last gross thing I ate was I don't know. Are you allowed to eat gross things? Are you on a winter search or diet right now?

But the gross things are always really good. Right? Yeah, you don't consider them a negative. You're proud of the things you discuss the things you put in your body. Yeah, I'm trying to think. Okay. I might have like done that rocky thing with, you know, like the eggs. Yeah, I might have like just like taken down one without cooking.

it. I don't know. This doesn't seem healthy. Maybe that's gross. I know. I was like, yeah. Is that your ending point? Do you feel the raw egg is the way you want to go? One more.

I'll do one thing. I'm good. But this is a great idea. Describe my perfect movie going experience. Okay. So what's your snack of choice? Were you sitting in the theater? I'm sort of like, I got to tell you, I love seeing movies alone.

I get like a medium Coke zero. I may sneak in like a quest bar, you know, or... What's your favorite quest bar? I can't do too many, like, sandwiches. You know, I can't do anything aggressive. Yeah, you don't want to open up a whole thing. That's, I feel guilt there. My favorite flavor of the quest bars, I do it.

The cookie dough ones are really good. And I'll tell you a little trick, if you microwave them. Don't eat that. Don't treat them. If you microwave them, they're great. Yeah, no, like 12 seconds or so, you're... But it took me while. I didn't even think about that.

I know. They're almost like a real cookie. Guys, if you weren't nothing else from this. Yeah, and then I sit in the one chair, you know, like, at the, whatever, there's, like, usually, like, a row of, like, kind of like. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Like, so you're sitting in, like, handicapped seating, basically. I guess that would be it. But there's no one else in the theater, so it's okay.

Right, exactly. Don't get mad at him. No, yeah, yeah, no, I know. And then, and then I watched the movie. So, guys, if you see some weird, creepy guy alone in the theater in the handicapped seating with a Coke Zero and a quest bar, that's a little warm. Yeah. That's Sebastian Stan. That will be me.

Don't leave your bag in the theater either Because I may go through it I did do that one time There was a guy that can't I mean look I don't know There was a guy that came in one time And he like left his bag and then left And he worried it was a bomb or something

Or was it just I was like what do I do with this So I was like I can either run away But I was like I'm not gonna abandon my city So I was like I'm gonna see something Say something And I went and I searched the bag And I was like oh okay good

I was like an iPad It's okay You're such a good guy You're a citizen looking out for all of us The Winter Soldier is looking out for everybody Everyone I try Go check out the bronze for a different side of Sebastian Stan. It's a crazy movie, but it's well worth your time, especially if you like your comedy.

You know, you want a daring, bold comedy. It's not going to, as you said, not going to pull any punches, guys. Yes. Let's go for it. All your crazy thoughts will come true when you see this movie. Exactly. It's always good to see you, man. And I'll see you on the crazy press tour, I'm sure, for Civil War soon enough.

That'll be fun. See on the next one. Hey, how's it going? This is Chris Getherd. Hey, Chris Getherd. I'm anonymous. Hey, Earwolf listeners. My new show is called Beautiful Stories from Anonymous people. Every week, I open the phone line to one anonymous caller, and I can't hang up first, no matter what happens. It's going to surprise you. I could catch this train.

You're going to jump on that train? I think I'm going to try and stay on the call. I don't know how much time we have. Ooh, I would love that. Move you. I would rather go out having done something or try to do something really great. Make you laugh. I also sing about poop.

I love two sing about poop. It's beautiful anonymous. One phone call, one hour, no names, no holds barred. Listen on Earwolf.com, iTunes, or your favorite podcasting app. This has been an Earwolf production, executive produced by Scott Ackerman, Adam Sacks, and Chris Bannon. For more information and content,

visit Earwolf.com. This message comes from BetterHelp. Can you think of a time when you didn't feel like you could be yourself? Like you were hiding behind a mask, at work and social settings around your family? BetterHelp online therapy is convenient, flexible, and can help you learn to be your authentic. self so you can stop hiding because masks should be for Halloween fun not for your emotions take off

the mask with better help visit betterhelp.com today to get 10% off your first month that's better help help.com hey michael hey tom okay so you want to tell him or you want me to tell him no no no i got this people out there yeah people lean in get close get close listen here's the deal we have big news We got monumental news. We got snack-tacular news. After a brief hiatus, my good friend, Michael Ian Black, and I are coming back. My good friend, Tom Kavana, and I, are coming back to do what we do best. What we were put on this earth to do.

To pick a snack. To eat a snack. And to rate a snack. Mentifically? Emotionally. Spiritually. Mates is back. Mike and Tom eat snacks.

Is back. A podcast for anyone with a mouth. With a mouth. Available. Wherever. You get your podcasts.