ROGER BIRNBAUM (Producer)
What are you hoping audiences will learn from this movie?
This is actually a very, very true story. Even the drama inside of this is based on reality. I think, for me, it's thought-provoking and I think people might walk away from it thinking about it for awhile.
The CIA operatives in this country and around the world are here to protect us and it's a very difficult job. Usually the American public only hears about their mistakes. We don't get to hear about the great things they do every day. It's only when they stumble do we hear about it. But probably even right now, as you and I are standing here about to enjoy this movie, someone is out their doing something good that we'll never know about.
How did you get involved with "The Recruit" and how did Al Pacino get involved?
In this particular case, we were pitched the story. The story posed the question: would you like to know how the CIA recruits their field operatives? Do you want to know how James Bond got his job? I wanted to know right away, and I figured if I wanted to know, so did 15 million other people. We developed the script and of course, in the development of the script, we daydream and fantasize about who could be in it. Al was always at the top of our list. We had such a good script that when we sent it to his agents, he said yes right away. Colin also said yes right away. They happened to love it and be available, which is a rarity. It came together very easy for us.
How did you get the cast prepared to act as CIA agents?
We actually had a CIA agent on the picture working with us. He took them through it very, very carefully. He actually at one point had been an instructor at this place that doesn't exist called 'The Farm.' So he was very, very helpful to them and to us.
Any secrets from the set you can share?
As I learned from the CIA, if I told you, I'd have to kill you.
As a producer, do you have any pet peeves about working with actors?
All actors should do press for their movies. Some of them don't, and they should all do it all the time to promote their movies.
Jeff Apple at the Premiere of "The Recruit."
Photo ©Rebecca Murray. All Rights Reserved.
Do you think "The Recruit" accurately portrays the CIA?
I think we are seeing a realistic view of the people who risk their lives for us, being part of the human intelligence community. It's not about technology, it's not about any of the gadgets, it's about the people on the ground doing the real job.
What kind of preparation did the cast go through to learn about the CIA?
We had a consultant on the project named Chase Brandon, who is a 25-year veteran of the agency. He brought to the script - during the pre-production process - a realistic view of who the people are, what they are about, and what the dynamics are.
Who are these people and what are they about?
The only way I can describe them is that you and I would probably not recognize them on the street. They wouldn't stand out - but that's the whole idea. Yet they risk their lives and become America's first line of defense. That, to me, is what makes good movies.
Anything you learned about Al Pacino or any of the cast members during filming?
Al Pacino should not be allowed to play practical jokes on individuals on the set because you forget - he's such an incredible actor, you believe everything he's doing. I told him so at the end of a take. The two of them [Pacino and Colin Farrell] were kind of joking around and it was very funny because when the director yelled, “Cut,” sometimes they would do something very funny and everybody would laugh. So I said, “The outtakes of this movie are going to be phenomenal.” He looked at me and went, “Oh great, the outtakes are going to be great,” and he walked over to the director really upset about this comment. I had no idea what was going on. Then about 10 minutes later I realized who I was dealing with, one of the great actors in the world (laughing).
