You recently finished filming “Rose and the Snake." Can you describe your experience working with Daniel-Day Lewis?
It was incredible. I mean, Daniel Day-Lewis and I were enemies in the movie. I’m the ‘snake’ and his daughter Rose is the ‘rose.’ You couldn’t get any more opposite from the character I play in ["The Girl Next Door"] than the one I play in that. I’m the villain, the snake, sleazy and like this sexual creature. There were days when we wouldn’t even look at each other until the end of the day because we were intense. I got into that; it was great. It would help me, too. You know, I look up to him. Before I even auditioned for the movie I did so it was incredible.
Is it hard to put that character aside?
Yes. Actually I found I’ve never gotten into a character that much because I don’t think I’ve ever played not like me that much. My friends would tell me when I talked to them that I sounded different. I really do think the character invaded me a lot more than anything I have before. I think it was good, I think it’s great for the movie. You know I got my hair cut for the film – my hair was real long – and all of a sudden I saw myself in the mirror and I was like, “Holy shit.”
Is that a little scary?
Oh yeah, it is scary. I’m sure my girlfriend didn’t appreciate it when I was away filming with this different character inside my head the whole time. Honestly, you want to do such a great job with those people, you are always thinking about it - and that’s another thing of why it was always in my head. And the costume was very not comfortable, real tight shirts that were cut off and tight jeans and white boots. While I was on set, that was me. I wasn’t self-conscious at all. I let all my scrawniness [out].
I was in to it. It was a really great experience.
What film would you compare it to?
Oh wow. You know, I really don’t know what I’d compare it to. I just really think it’s going to be a great drama. I think there’s some really great acting in it. I think the best thing for me, after a movie like [“The Girl Next Door”] comes out, not only is the character an exact polar opposite, it’s an exact opposite type of movie, too – and has a different audience, and difference press, and different everything. With a couple of other things that I’ve done recently – “Taking Lives” is coming up and I’ve got a small part in that – and a couple of “Sopranos” episodes, one from last season and one this season, I’ve just kind of covered myself so that I can play all different types of characters.
This is my first time in a comedy and I’m not a comedic-type of actor. My first film was a drama and that’s what I’m used to. This is the first film a lot of people will see me in so they’re going to think I’m this kind of actor. Hopefully they’ll like the other films.
Is there anything you want to progress to at this point? Any genre that really interests you?
Yeah, I want the keep growing and keep doing interesting, different characters. I don’t think I’ll probably do another movie like this any time soon – at least for a while.
Because you might get typecast in teen comedies?
You do. Luckily I’ve got other stuff now that I’ve done. I’m doing more independent films. I really love the independent scene. That’s how I got started. I did “L.I.E.” and it went so great for me, I won the Independent Spirit Award and it won several other awards. It blew my mind and opened up [opportunities]. I didn’t even know about independent films before that. It just opened up the whole world of it to me. You also do have to make a living at some point. But I don’t really care, I’m only 19 and I don’t really care about making a shitload of money yet.
ADDITIONAL "THE GIRL NEXT DOOR" RESOURCES:
Interviews with Elisha Cuthbert and Emile Hirsch
"The Girl Next Door" Premiere Photos
"The Girl Next Door" Production Photos
"The Girl Next Door" Trailer, Credits, and Websites
