FRANKY G ('Wrench')

What was the most fun thing about working on "The Italian Job?"
The whole thing - just filming the whole thing. The car chase scenes, working with the cast, the director, and the whole scenario of just making the movie was fun.

There's a lot of buzz surrounding the Mini-Coopers in this film.
They're great cars, great to handle, great on gas, the whole thing.

How did they accomplish the stunts, such as driving the Mini-Coopers down the stairs?
They used special boards to go down the stairs. They also used battery-operated cars. They couldn't use the actual, real cars because they had to make them lighter.

But you didn't get to drive one of the Mini-Coopers in this film, did you?
No, bummer. Isn't that a bummer, man? I think they were scared of me. I'm a New Yorker and I'd drive all over the place (laughing). I could go through the shops with a Mini-Cooper and pick up stuff (laughing).

Were you in LA when they blocked all the traffic in Hollywood?
Yes I was. I was the one who blocked the traffic (laughing).

Were any Minis hurt in the making of this film?
Yes. They must have [gone] through 24 or 34 Minis. It was something; it was awesome.

And in the movie, your character would be the one who put them back together?
I'm like the Band-Aid. I play Wrench in the film. I fix the cars and make sure they can go fast in and out of traffic, and make sure the guys can get their work done.

Why do you think audiences will sympathize with the characters, considering they are all crooks?
They are cool, man. They are cool dudes - that's why.

What do you have coming up next?
I have "Wonderland" in August, and I have this small film that we won the Best Ensemble Cast [at the Sundance Film Festival] called “Manito” that will be opening up in June.

Who do you play in "Wonderland?"
I play a detective investigating the murders. It was great doing it. I didn't know anything about John Holmes so I had to do research on it.

And you're from Brooklyn. What's the best part of New York?
I think the culture, the food, the people - just the whole thing. Everything about New York. I live there, that's my home.

If you pulled off this big heist, what would you do with the money?
Me? I'd go to Italy and I'd retire. That's what I'd do. I didn't get a chance to go to Italy.