Speedman joined his “XXX: State of the Union” co-stars for the movie’s April 25, 2005 premiere in Los Angeles. Claiming he was tired but looking handsome and relaxed, Speedman gave me the scoop on working on this big-budget sequel and even provided a sneak peek at his next movie, the highly anticipated sequel, “Underworld Evolution.”
INTERVIEW WITH SCOTT SPEEDMAN:
What are fans of the first "XXX" movie going to like about this sequel?
[Before answering, Speedman paused for a hug from Xzibit] Honestly, I think [Xzibit] is very, very good. I think it’s one of his first movies and I think he’s got a really special kind of energy. I think he’s going to be a real good actor. He’s got a huge energy that can kind of carry a movie like this, so I think he’s really special. And Ice Cube’s a great idea to change it from the first movie to the second movie. That’s really why I wanted to do it. Instead of just kind of exploiting what was cool about the first one and make it bigger and better, they kind of took it apart and rebuilt it in a sense, putting in Ice Cube.
Are you an action hero in this? Did you get in on the stunts?
A little – sort of. I mean, I wish I’d done a little more. I mean, yeah, I got to do a lot but it wasn’t that crazy, to be honest. I did a lot but it wasn’t that crazy. It wasn’t that much.
Did you expect to do more?
We had a lot of fun but everything’s very safe. I did a lot but it’s… I’m kind of athletic so I loved doing it. I’d love to just do everything I can.
Looking back on filming, what was your favorite scene to work on?
Probably doing the helicopter sequence, which is me saving the President. Which is hilarious. We’re jumping out of a helicopter on a green screen.
Why is that so hilarious?
[Laughing] It’s just so ridiculous. I grew up in Canada, born in London, and then all of sudden I’m on this set saving the President. It’s just kind of crazy, so it was fun.
How is “Underworld Evolution” going?
It’s very good. I’m done. I finished a couple of weeks ago. It’s cool.
Is it a prequel?
There’s a segment of the movie that’s a prequel, which is going to be kind of boring because I’m not in it [laughing]. And then after that it gets really good.
Why does it get good after that? Because you’re in it all the time?
Because I’m in it [laughing]. No, actually they really did a good job. I was really, really, really impressed by the end of the movie. They got a great photographer, great cast, and it’s good, good, good writing in the movie.
Are you in make-up a lot in this sequel?
Yeah, there’s going to be a lot of that stuff. But I mean, they do a good job of holding it together. I mean, Kate [Beckinsale] takes it and makes it a lot stronger – even than the first one. She does a real good job.
So it’s more character-driven this time?
I think more… Well, no [laughing]. There’s going to be tons of action. Honestly, I’d hum and ha if I didn’t like it but it’s pretty cool. I mean, they’ve got better actors in it across the board and that makes a big difference. There’s really good writing, too, this time.
Will there be an “Underworld 3?”
I don’t know. I’m not in any need to go do that right now. I’m tired.
If asked, would you do it?
I don’t know. I don’t know if anybody wants to do it. But you know… These things, who knows what they’re going to want to do in a couple of years. I mean if it’s a really big success, maybe.
What are you interested in doing?
I’d like to do some more serious indie movies but, you know, they’re not the easiest thing in the world for me to get. I mean, I’m trying to get what I can get. I don’t necessarily want to do small movies. I want to do really good, edgy, off-center movies. But we’ll see what I can find.
