If you’re a film nerd, you know and love Luis Guzman. That’s because since the 80′s, Guzman has been in countless roles, often going from small budget indies, to huge Hollywood blockbusters. He’s also done a lot of TV. Guzman is one of those actors that you might not know his name, but you definitely know his face. I first noticed Guzman in Paul Thomas Anderson’s masterpiece, Boogie Nights. He played the nightclub owner where Mark Wahlberg worked. While I’m sure I must have seen him on a TV show or in a movie, it was after seeing Boogie Nights that I learned his name. Since then, I’ve always enjoyed his work, but I’ve never seen him talk about how he got into acting, or how he got connected with Anderson.
So when I found out he was going to be at the Arthur junket (he plays Arthur’s driver/assistant), I put in a last minute request for an interview and Guzman was kind enough to give me some time. We discussed how he got into acting, working on Arthur, the Robin costume, how he got connected with Anderson, what’s his criteria for choosing material, who does he play in Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, and he tells me that he’s developing a comedy and drama with the goal of producing them himself. Hit the jump to watch.
Luis Guzman
- :22 Which project led to where he is now, The Equalizer or Crocodile Dundee 2?
- :48 How did he first get started in Hollywood? Started out as a social worker and auditioned on a whim for a project and ended up co-starring in the premiere of Miami Vice.
- 2:01 Given the pedigree of talent that he’s worked with over the years, does he ever reflect back on his career and how fantastic it’s been?
- 2:51 How he first got involved in the project. Read the script first and liked it, met with the director then he spoke with Russell over the phone, on skype, and eventually met him in person. Had instant chemistry.
- 3:30 Talks about the improv in the film.
- 4:09 His reaction when told he was wearing the Robin costume. Found out at the first fitting that he would be wearing a size small costume.
- 5:17 Talks about filming on the streets of New York, with crowds of people watching. Says he blocks most of it out.
- 6:17 When people approach him on the street, what’s the project people most want to talk about?
- 7:02 How did he start working with Paul Thomas Anderson? Says he read the Boogie Nights screenplay and was blown away. Says Anderson has always been very passionate about his work and gets what he wants as a director.
- 9:01 What’s the common thread through the great directors that he’s worked with that makes them an “elite” director.
- 11:16 What’s his criteria for choosing material?
- 12:52 Talks about Journey 2: The Mysterious Island. He plays a pilot in the action/adventure film shot in 3D.
- 13:53 Will he appear in Paul Thomas Anderson’s next movie? Says he doesn’t know, it depends on what the project calls for.
- 14:25 Guzman is developing a comedy and drama film of his own that he’s producing.
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Luis Guzman is definitely one of my favorite actors. I’m glad hes still in the game.
I was hoping to read the interview. So sad that everything has to be a video now. However, judging by the amount of spelling and grammatical errors in any given Collider article, perhaps it’s actually a blessing. Sigh. I miss good journalism.
Also, enough with the phrase “after the jump.” Especially once I’ve already hit the link. No need to repeat the article header.
Jason, believe me, no one would miss you if you stopped frequenting Collider. Instead of pissing in everyone’s ear, just go somewhere else.
Very constructive, anonymous Collider employee. I’m not hoping to be missed. I’m hoping that journalists actually want to be better and value input from their readers. Otherwise, they’ll lose more thank just me. It’s too bad that you’re so self-righteous and lazy that you’d rather send readers away than be better.
First, Jason, I am not a Collider employee. I am a fan. Second, maybe Collider should hold you as the paragon of journalistic and literary integrity. They should take special care to mimic the way you interject onomatopoeia such as “sigh” in order to express frustration. It is very clever mode of expression and not at all like an entry on a thirteen year old’s twitter account.
Sarcasm aside, while I do not object to holding journalists accountable for their output, I do object to people not recognizing the register in which the writer is reporting. This is not the New York Times, nor does it aspire to be. It is written in a less formal, more conversational manner. I come to this site to enjoy movie news free of the wailing of malcontents such as yourself. So, again, if your frustration with the percieved short comings of the site is so egregious that you must piss in everyone’s ear about matters of journalistic form, please, go elsewhere.
Luiz is great in the HBO series “How To Make It In America.”
Man, beginning was very awkward. Guess it’s because Guzman is more serious seeming than you’d think he’d be. Got better as it went along, though.
P.S. I like how you put Michael Bay in the same sentence of Paul Thomas Anderson.
I thought he’d have fun with the question…clearly he didn’t. I agree, got better the more we talked.
Great interview Frosty. You always get good stuff.
I think he had one of the best lines in BOOGIE NIGHTS. “Wear what you dig.”
Frosty, I’ve been regularly watching your interviews, you’re very professional and this interview was actually really good. Keep at it bro!