After casting Kate Bosworth as the film's female love interest, the filmmakers debated the merits of casting a newcomer versus casting an established, big name star to play the role of Tad. In the end, director Robert Luketic felt it was best to go with a relative unknown. Producer Douglas Wicks concurs and says, “Josh Duhamel has one thing you can’t fake: screen presence. He fills the screen. He is also a really good actor with a great, subtle comic timing.”
INTERVIEW WITH JOSH DUHAMEL ('Tad'):
Have you ever met a celebrity who shattered your illusions?
No, not yet. I haven't met that many, to be honest. I don't go to many things. But the ones that I have met I've been impressed with, so far. I'm sure there will be times.
Your character goes on a date for charity. Is that something you would ever consider?
I've done this before. I have done it in real life. When I was on “All My Children,” we did a thing for “Seventeen Magazine” where a girl won a date. I went to her prom with her in Alabama, and she was a sweetheart. I didn't move to Alabama and I didn't buy a farm there, but we still keep in touch (laughing).
Who did you have a teen crush on?
Who did I have a crush on? Lots of people. I used to sneak into my uncle's [stack of “Playboys.”] I think everybody has crushes. I definitely had them. Alyssa Milano was one of them. But I think every teenage boy did.
Was it tough playing a character who could be viewed as a jerk, but also needs to be seen as a nice guy?
I wanted the decision for [Kate Bosworth’s character, Rosalee] to be difficult. I wanted it to be a difficult decision for the audience, too, but I didn't want him to be too nice either. So it was a difficult line to kind of walk. Yes, his reasons for wanting to be with her were ultimately selfish. He's a narcissist, and a lot of times the worst narcissists are the ones who seem like the nicest, most genuine people. [People] who look you in the eye and tell you what you want to hear. And that's what he did, but I think he is a good guy at heart.
Why do you believe Tad was interested in Rosalee? Was it strictly platonic?
I think the reason why people loved him was because he had these boy-next-door qualities and because he was very likeable. [Then] over the last how many years, he'd progressively become a bigger and bigger star. Being said ‘yes’ to all the time, he became detached from reality and detached from the person who he was. He kind of got caught up in everything, and he's not the person he was, and he's not feeling like he did before. I think Rosalee helped him feel like that and that's why he wanted to be around her. I think without even realizing it, he basically was using her to make him feel like the person he was. She didn't BS him. She told him straight up, “You would never get caught up in that kind of stuff,” [when] in fact he had been, and she called him on it. He liked that about her. So yeah - the answer's yes. It was for platonic reasons, but he wouldn't have minded getting a piece.
How was it to work with Kate Bosworth?
Kate is a real sweetheart. It was kind of interesting to me because she's on the verge - she already is. Just to watch and see how she handled it. Some days she would be a little overwhelmed by it all, wherever she would be. But all the attention that she gets - she's so well-adjusted. I think she's 21 now. It's amazing. She's an incredibly smart girl. Topher [Grace] is another one. I just have so much respect for these guys. Topher called me at home after I got the part and congratulated me, which I thought was very cool. I'd been watching “That ‘70s Show” for so long. The whole experience of working on this movie was so fun. I had more fun working on that than I've had on anything else. I had more fun working than on my days off.
Page 2: Duhamel on Soap Operas and Future Plans
Additional “Win a Date With Tad Hamilton!” Cast Interviews:
Kate Bosworth / Topher Grace / Ginnifer Goodwin
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
"Win a Date With Tad Hamilton!" Photo Gallery
"Win a Date With Tad Hamilton!" Credits, Soundtrack and Trailer
