Talking about darker material, is there a project you’re dying to do?
There are a couple scripts out there floating around that I’d really like to be a part of. But I’m at a place where right now I don’t have that marketable, financial value to a studio.
Even with “Alias” doing so well and continuing to be successful?
I’ll tell you it’s a tough gig. The ‘flavor of the month’. I mean, when I did “One Hour Photo” I thought, “Okay…” - I secretly thought this because I don’t like to jinx anything - but I thought, “Okay, I’m starring in a movie with one of the most famous and funniest actors in the world. Things are going to start…” I didn’t work for a year after “One Hour Photo.” I thought, “Okay, you clearly can never count on anything in this business.”
You just have to keep plugging away and if you get lucky enough to get a job, you get one. And I mean, I’m hoping that after “Monster-in-Law” it won’t be another year until I work again. But you never know. You never know why or when the next job is coming. I actually like that. It’s kind of exciting. I don’t punch in. I don’t have a 9 to 5 job. When you do work you’re lucky enough to go to interesting places and meet mostly interesting and talented people, so it’s really a great job if you can work.
I think the hardest thing about being an actor is between jobs when you don’t know and wondering if you’ll ever work again. It’s kind of a crazy business. There’s nothing better than, “What do you do for a living?” “I get rejected.” 99% of the time I get rejected. That’s what I do for a living (laughing).
Are you worried you’ll keep getting romantic comedy scripts?
You know, people see you in a certain type of movie and they sort of associate you with that genre. That’s just human nature. I’m not worried about it only because I probably won’t do a romantic comedy anytime soon, if I can help it. Yeah, I mean, again I have no idea what my next job is going to be. If it happens to be a romantic comedy that’s too good to turn down, and it may be working with someone that I really admire or respect or maybe a great director, then maybe I would do one. But I would really rather do something that’s a lot darker. Not saying that I’m a weirdo with all these demons to exorcise.
That’ll be my headline – “Michael is a weirdo.”
It would not be far from the truth. But it’s always more fun. Look, the good guy in the movie gets the girl. Every actor will tell you it’s so much more fun to play the bad guy because usually those characters are more complex and more broad and more interesting, and have more sides to them. But you know, for now I’ll go where I’m wanted, as they say. “Go where you’re wanted,” that’s always a good bet.
Completely off the subject of movies, everything I’ve read about you says you’re obsessed with hockey.
Yes, I guess. Well, no, not an obsession. I love sports. I’ve always loved sports and hockey is a sport I play as much as I can. I love it. In a weird way it’s like church and therapy and exercise all rolled up into one. I mean when I play hockey I don’t think about anything, which is good for me because thinking hurts my head.
The strike must have been horrible for you.
Oh it’s horrible. I’m so depressed. They’re not playing and it doesn’t look good for next year. It’s absolutely horrible.
I heard a rumor that you may not be back on “Alias” next year.
I did too and I was shocked. I promptly called JJ [Abrams] the creator and said, “Dude, what is going on? I just bought a house last year. What are you doing?” These rumors get started, I guess, a) why about me because who cares?
Wait a minute. You’re a huge part of “Alias.”
About the show sure, but if you’re going to start a rumor why not start a rumor that “Alias” has been cancelled, even though everyone says it’s coming back? I don’t know. Make it more interesting. I don’t know where that rumor started. As far as I know I’m coming back. No pink slip in the mail yet.
Where do you see it going next season and why is everyone still so in love with “Alias?”
You know, I think even in the cast we often are amazed at how they keep coming up with new ideas because we all feel, you know, that it’s been an amazing job to have and be part of. But we’re constantly amazed at how creative the writers are. I mean, seriously, how many more wigs can she wear? How many more hallways can we run down? How many more missions? How many more… And week in and week out they come up with these insane ideas that when you read them at first you go, “What?!” And then you watch the episode and somehow they pull it off. It’s mind-boggling. I can’t believe we’re going to start our fifth season. I can’t believe we shot 88 episodes.
Page 4: Michael Vartan on the "Alias" Romance and Starting Rumors
