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George Clooney, 'The Artist' Are Odds-On Oscar Faves
We leave the Oscar odds up to the professionals, in Bigger Than the Sound.
By James Montgomery
George Clooney in "The Descendants"
Photo: 20th Century Fox
My buddy Corey (this is him; and no, I'm not sure why he's standing like that either) doesn't watch movies because "they're a waste of time," which sort of explains why, A) he once told me his favorite film of all time was "American Beauty," and B) he owns the "Jackass" trilogy on DVD. For years, I made fun of him for all of those things, but now, well, I'm not so sure he wasn't onto something this entire time.
Because on Tuesday (January 24), when nominations for the 2012 Academy Awards were announced, I was left feeling very Corey. The two most-nominated films, "Hugo" and "The Artist," were also perhaps the most anachronistic (in that they are a love letter to a long-deceased French filmmaker/illusionist and a silent movie, respectively), a move that is sort of like the Grammys bestowing Album of the Year nods on wax cylinders and eight-tracks. Sentimental, sure, but, I mean, come on.
While I'll leave the business of snubs and surprises to the folks that know these things best, I found it rather interesting that, after talking to a bunch of my movie-loving co-workers, I quickly discovered that, among cineastes, the Oscars are sort of regarded much the same way die-hard music fans view the Grammys: They are, to say the very least, a slightly silly, thoroughly incomprehensible thing. And given this year's list of nominees, I'm inclined to agree with that assessment.
So given all that — not to mention the fact that my two favorite films of 2011, "Drive" and, uh, "Warrior" racked up a grand total of two nominations — you can understand why, when my editors told me they were looking for an Oscars odds column, I sort of panicked. Needless to say, I was not the expert they were looking for — thankfully, given my insatiable wagering addiction (DON'T CALL IT A "PROBLEM"), I know some folks who were.
So I reached out to the brain trust at Bovada.lv — yes, that's a real Web address — who gave me the inside track on this year's Oscar favorites (which was incredibly nice, considering sportsbook manager Kevin Bradley told me "we are incredibly busy with the Super Bowl coming up"), and not surprisingly, they really think "The Artist" has the best chances. So here, straight from the pros themselves, are some Oscar odds. And for the record, Corey wasn't eligible to participate, as he didn't see a single nominated film this year. But he did want it to be known that he still finds the entire Academy Awards to be "stupid-ass." Some things never change.
Best Picture
"The Artist," 2/7
"The Descendants," 7/2
"Hugo," 10/1
"War Horse," 14/1
"The Help," 20/1
"Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close," 30/1
"Moneyball," 30/1
"Midnight in Paris," 30/1
"The Tree of Life," 50/1
Best Actor
George Clooney, "The Descendants," 1/3
Jean Dujardin, "The Artist," 2/1
Brad Pitt, "Moneyball," 10/1
Gary Oldman, "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy," 25/1
Demián Bichir, "A Better Life," 25/1
Best Actress
Meryl Streep, "The Iron Lady," 1/2
Michelle Williams, "My Week With Marilyn," 3/1
Viola Davis, "The Help," 3/1
Glenn Close, "Albert Nobbs," 20/1
Rooney Mara, "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," 20/1
Best Director
Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist," 4/7
Martin Scorsese, "Hugo," 7/4
Alexander Payne, "The Descendants," 11/2
Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris," 18/1
Terrence Malick, "The Tree of Life," 18/1
See the complete list of Academy Awards Nominations.
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Common Brings 'LUV' To Sundance
Sundance represents an opportunity to '[push] forward with Common as an actor and as a producer,' the rapper tells MTV News.
By Josh Wigler, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
Common at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival
Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images
PARK CITY, Utah — When you're making your debut as a producer and lead actor in a feature film, it doesn't hurt to surround yourself with stellar actors like Danny Glover, Charles S. Dutton, Dennis Haysbert and Michael K. Williams. With talent like that on your side, it's nearly impossible not to produce good work.
That's Common's hope, at least. The rapper/actor makes his first turn as a leading man in a feature film in "LUV," the Sundance Film Festival drama about an ex-con who leaves prison and strives to mentor his troubled nephew upon release. The film represents a lot of firsts for Common: It's his first starring role and it's the first movie he's ever acted in and produced to appear at Sundance.
"This is something that is me," Common told MTV News at the fest. "And it's a part of what I want to do pushing forward with Common as an actor and as a producer."
The Chicago MC is no stranger to appearing onscreen, of course. He's had memorable roles in movies like "Wanted" and "Terminator Salvation," and he stars on the AMC western "Hell on Wheels." But this is Common's first time in an independent movie, and the differences between the indie world and the studio system became abundantly clear to him very early on.
"Things are just different. But what's still cool about it is you're really using your artistic creativity to come together and make the best thing, because you don't have that many resources," he said. "You don't have the bigger budgets, you don't have the things that [studio films have]. You need to use total creativity to make things rise.
"So this is a first for me — and it's a great first," he added.
The 2012 Sundance Film Festival is officially under way, and the MTV Movies team is on the ground reporting on the hottest stars and the movies everyone will be talking about in the year to come. Keep it locked with MTV Movies for everything there is to know about Sundance.
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Taylor Swift Supports Ethel Kennedy Doc At Sundance
Singer was seen in Park City at the red carpet for 'Ethel,' an upcoming HBO documentary.
By Josh Wigler
Taylor Swift attends the premiere of "Ethel" at Sundance on Friday
Photo: Jonathan Leibson/ Getty Images
PARK CITY, Utah — The Sundance Film Festival is no stranger to seeing masses of unexpected celebrities flocking to the snowy hills of Park City, but that didn't stop the surprise appearance of singer/songwriter Taylor Swift from attracting a crowd.
The "Back to December" singer hit Sundance on Friday (January 20) to attend the red-carpet premiere of "Ethel," the HBO documentary chronicling the life of Ethel Kennedy. Indeed, a grand total of 23 members of the Kennedy clan were on hand, including the documentary's director Rory, daughter of Ethel.
What exactly prompted Taylor's attendance at the "Ethel" red carpet? According to the musician herself in a recent interview with Vogue, Taylor had an encounter with the 83-year-old Ethel some weeks ago. Describing the woman as "effervescent," Taylor said the meeting with the wife of the late Robert Kennedy left her feeling "starstruck" for the first time in her life.
"The only time in my life I have ever been starstruck was meeting Caroline and Ethel Kennedy," she told the magazine. "I got to spend the afternoon with Ethel a couple of weeks ago. She is one of my favorites, because you look back at the pictures of her and Bobby, and they always look like they are having the most fun out of everybody. You know, 11 kids, all these exotic animals on their property. I've read a lot about them."
Taylor wasn't the only non-Kennedy who showed up to the "Ethel" red carpet. Sundance founder and legendary actor Robert Redford also hit the scene to show his appreciation and admiration for the project — and to pose for a few photos with Swift.
The 2012 Sundance Film Festival is officially under way, and the MTV Movies team is on the ground reporting on the hottest stars and the movies everyone will be talking about in the year to come. Keep it locked with MTV Movies for everything there is to know about Sundance.
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'Hunger Games' Girl On Fire Outfit: Meet The Designer
In this week's Hobnobbing, we catalog Judianna Makovsky's iconic looks.
By Amy Wilkinson
Jennifer Lawrence in the girl on fire costume in "Hunger Games"
Photo: Lionsgate
The Web nearly caught fire Thursday (January 19) when Entertainment Weekly debuted the first image of "Hunger Games" characters Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) in their parade costumes, snapped mere moments before District 12's heroine becomes (quite literally) the Girl on Fire (we see you with that lit fuse, Cinna!).
Of course, fans of Suzanne Collins' best-selling novel know that the textured black suits are meant to reflect the duo's coal-mining community, brought to sartorial life by their savvy stylist (played by Lenny Kravitz).
"This is one of those moments where Cinna's character syncs up with the creativity of our costume designer Judianna Makovsky," director Garry Ross told EW.
As if sitting front row at a Capitol-sponsored fashion show, fans have slowly but surely been treated to the growing catalog of Makovsky's "Hunger Games" looks — from Effie Trinket's lavender, silk brocade gown recently revealed on Capitol Couture to Katniss' and Peeta's futuristic training uniforms.
Even the most casual cinephile should recognize Makovsky's work. The Oscar nominee (and frequent Ross collaborator) is a Hollywood veteran with nearly 30 years of experience crafting iconic period and present-day looks for some of the silver screen's biggest projects. After toiling as a wardrobe assistant on films like "The Cotton Club" and "Dick Tracy," Makovsky took the lead, whipping together wardrobes for Tom Hanks' "Big" (which Ross wrote and co-produced) and "The Quick and the Dead." She earned her first Oscar nomination for Ross' 1999 retrosplosion "Pleasantville," starring Tobey Maguire and Reese Witherspoon as two teens who time-travel back to the 1950s, necessitating more sweater sets and curve-hugging skirts than an Ann Taylor outlet. The result was an eye-popping collection of richly saturated confections, worthy of recognition by the Academy and the Costume Designer's Guild.
An Oscar-nominated semester at Hogwarts followed (yes, Makovsky dressed Harry, Ron and Hermione in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone") before she teamed up with Ross for the 2004 equestrian classic "Seabiscuit" (starring then-up-and-comer Elizabeth Banks, a.k.a. Effie Trinket). The costumer earned her third Oscar nom for the film's Depression-era garb.
A mishmash of films followed, including "National Treasure," "The Last Airbender" and "X-Men: The Last Stand" (perhaps the film in which she perfected her bodysuit construction), before she once again signed on with Ross for "The Hunger Games."
With several outfits yet to be seen from the March 23 release, including an unfettered view of Katniss' glitzy interview gown, we can only expect the best from Makovsky. Could another Oscar nomination be in her dystopian future?
What do you think about the "Hunger Games" costumes so far? Sound off in the comments below and tweet me @amymwilk with your thoughts and suggestions for future columns!
Check out everything we've got on "The Hunger Games."
For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.
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Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Adele's 21 Ties Titanic Soundtrack With 16th Week At #1
British belter's smash album catches up to 1997 blockbuster album with its 16th non-consecutive week atop the Billboard chart.
By James Montgomery
Adele
Move over, James Cameron (and Celine Dion): Adele just landed her Sweet 16th.
Yes, once again the British belter's 21 album tops the Billboard 200 chart, according to figures provided by Nielsen SoundScan, marking the 16th (non-consecutive) week it sits at #1. The mark ties it with the soundtrack to the 1997 blockbuster "Titanic," which was buoyed by Dion's massive "My Heart Will Go On."
Up next for Adele? Well, first, it's Billy Ray Cyrus' Some Gave All, which topped the Billboard charts for 17 weeks in 1992, followed by Garth Brooks' Ropin' the Wind, which was #1 for 18 weeks. Then, it's the 1992 soundtrack to "The Bodyguard," which, powered by Whitney Houston's takes on "I'm Every Woman" and "I Will Always Love You," spent 20 weeks atop the Billboard albums chart. Oh, and Elvis Presley's Blue Hawaii, which also spent 20 weeks at #1. Rarefied air, indeed.
21 sold more than 104,000 copies to take the top spot, easily outpacing the week's biggest debut, the David Crowder Band's Give Us Rest, which sold nearly 51,000 copies to open at #2. The Black Keys' El Camino holds strong at #3 for a second week, selling more than 36,000 copies and moving past the 500,000 mark in total sales in the process. Drake's Take Care (nearly 32,000 copies sold) and Snow Patrol's new Fallen Empires (nearly 31,000 copies) round out the top five.
Young Jeezy's TM 103: Hustlerz Ambition is in at #6, with sales of nearly 24,000 copies, followed by Rihanna's Talk That Talk at #7 (nearly 22,000 copies), Coldplay's Mylo Xyloto at #8 (nearly 20,000 copies), Nickelback's Here and Now at #9 (19,000-plus copies) and the 40th installment of the ubiquitous Now compilation, which comes in at #10 with sales of more than 17,000 copies.
Outside the top 10, there were debuts by Yo Gotti, whose Live From the Kitchen sold more than 16,000 copies to open at #12, Rebelution's Peace of Mind (#13, also posting sales of more than 16,000 copies), critical darling Lana Del Rey's self-titled EP (#20, nearly 14,000 copies sold) and the soundtrack to "Joyful Noise," which bowed at #21 with sales of more than 13,000 copies.
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My Chemical Romance's 'Kids From Yesterday': Death Of Danger
Fan-made video for 'The Kids From Yesterday' looks back at the band's rise to fame.
By James Montgomery
My Chemical Romance's Gerard Way in "The Kids From Yesterday" music video
Photo: Warner Music Group
Really, My Chemical Romance's Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys deserved better. A big, bold re-invention of their sound and swagger, it was, by the band's own admission, a "missile" aimed at destroying the staid state of rock and roll, and perhaps because of that fact, it failed to catch on here in the states.
You could practically track its decline based on the videos MCR released off the album, starting with the big-budget "Na Na Na" and the equally flashy follow-up, "Sing," in which they offed the titular Killjoys (who seemingly will never be heard of again). Their next single, "Planetary (Go!)" came coupled with a live video, and, to the best of my knowledge, a clip for "Bulletproof Heart" never materialized at all.
My Chem actually seemed to address the matter in an interview with MTV News last year, in which frontman Gerard Way lamented that the band had "gone through so many things" over the course of the Danger Days cycle, and hinted that, if there were to be any more videos off the album, they'd have to be financed by MCR themselves.
So it's somewhat fitting that, on Monday, they unveiled the final clip from Danger Days: a fan-made video for "The Kids From Yesterday" that documents the band's decade-long climb from Neo-Goth New Jersey rockers to interplanetary conceptual quartet. Like the song itself, the clip is a bittersweet thing, recounting MCR's many triumphs (a pastiche of memorable live moments, it culminates with their headlining slots at Reading and Leeds this past summer), while leaving those who love to read between the lines to wonder if perhaps the band's latest era also represents the end ... not necessarily of My Chem themselves, but of a moment in rock that now seems to have all but disappeared. Truly, MCR were the last bastions of the heady heyday of mid-aughts MySpace punk, and now, well, who knows what's next?
Of course, much of the message behind Danger Days seems to be one of self-empowerment, of inspiring fans to take matters into their own hands and shaking up the status quo. That's yet another reason why "Kids" is such a fitting sendoff; it was made in collaboration with a fan named Emily Eisemann, who had culled through live footage and initially created a clip of her own. There's a reason why the video ends with the phrase "Art is the Weapon," after all: it's been the band's clarion call this entire time.
It's also something Way touched on during Danger Days' release, when he told MTV News that the album was not a conceptual piece, but rather "a complete allegory" for smashing the system and placing the power directly in the hands of their fans. And "Kids" is proof that MCR's message was heard loud and clear, perhaps not by a majority of the record-buying public, but definitely — and most appropriately — by their fans. Sometimes, sales aren't the only measure of a band's success, and Danger Days is a testament to that fact. "Kids" may bring one chapter of their career to a close, but wherever My Chemical Romance go next, you know they'll do so boldly; that's what makes great bands truly great after all: the willingness to push the boundaries, to purvey inspiration, to shake things up ... sometimes even at their own expense.
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'RapFix Live' To Celebrate 20th Anniversary Of 'Juice'
Naughty by Nature and Khalil Kain will join Sway to celebrate the influential film.
By Rob Markman
"Juice"
Photo: Paramount
When director Ernest Dickerson released "Juice" on January 17, 1992, he effectively changed hip-hop's relationship with Hollywood. Twenty years later, "RapFix Live" will celebrate the game-changing movie on Wednesday with co-star Khalil Kain and Naughty by Nature, the hip-hop trio who contributed to the soundtrack.
Starring Kain, Omar Epps, Samuel L. Jackson and Tupac Shakur in his first starring role, "Juice" told the story of four Harlem youths who try desperately to overcome the treacherous pull of the streets. Though Tupac had a cameo in 1991's "Nothing But Trouble," his true acting debut came when he first put his acting chops on display playing the maniacal Bishop. Co-star Kain played the more level-headed Raheem Porter.
Before "Juice," there weren't many movies that effectively captured the harsh realities of the inner-city ghettos. With the exception of 1991's "Boyz N the Hood," these street tales were often left untold. The movie's soundtrack was also groundbreaking, featuring classic hip-hop cuts like Eric B. & Rakim's "Juice (Know the Ledge)," Too $hort's "So You Want to Be a Gangster" and Naughty by Nature's "Uptown Anthem."
During their appearance on "RapFix Live," Naughty by Nature will talk about the lasting influence of the film, the soundtrack and working with Shakur. That's not all. "X Factor" rapper Astro will also join Sway on the "RapFix Live" couch and reveal which label he will sign his first record deal with.
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Critics' Choice Movie Awards Predictions
Brad Pitt or George Clooney? Viola Davis or Meryl Streep? MTV News forecasts who'll take home the prizes tonight at 8 p.m. on VH1.
By Kara Warner
Brad Pitt
Photo: Michael Tran/ Getty Images
For those who love awards season, you are likely loving life this week since it's jam-packed with pretty people wearing pretty clothes. Within just five days, there are three major awards shows: last night's People's Choice Awards, the Critics' Choice Movie Awards on Thursday and the Golden Globes on Sunday.
The Critics' Choice Movie Awards air at 8 p.m. Thursday (January 12) on VH1. And since we're only hours away, it's time to evaluate the big categories and make some predictions about who will take home the pretty glass trophies. Since these awards are decided upon by movie critics, we're using the handy critic/review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes to determine which nominees have the best shot at winning.
Check out photos of all the hot stars who walked the red carpet!
Without further ado, here are our predictions for the major categories:
Best Supporting Actor: Albert Brooks will take this category no problem. "Drive" was a hit with critics, especially Brooks' performance. Its 93 percent fresh rating trumps the other nominees in the category, with the closest competition being Christopher Plummer in "Beginners" (84 percent fresh), Andy Serkis in "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" (83 percent fresh) and Kenneth Branagh for "My Week With Marilyn" (83 percent fresh).
Best Supporting Actress: Although Bérénice Bejo theoretically leads the pack for "The Artist" with overwhelming critical praise and 97 percent fresh rating, Melissa McCarthy's performance in "Bridesmaids" (90 percent fresh) is one of the most talked-about of the year. This one could very likely go to McCarthy, and we think it should, as great comedic performances don't get enough props. Shailene Woodley is the dark horse for her turn in "The Descendants" (88 percent fresh).
Best Actor: This category is a toughie, packed with A-list heavy-hitters who turned out six solid performances. Again, Jean Dujardin from "The Artist" has the edge by aggregate (97 percent fresh), but we're thinking it will come down to a bout between beloved real-life buddies George Clooney for "The Descendants" (88 percent fresh) and Brad Pitt for "Moneyball" (95 percent fresh).
Best Actress: Our aggregate strategy needs to be overlooked for this category, since the highest rating for the nominated films here is 88 percent fresh for Elizabeth Olsen in the lesser-known "Martha Marcy May Marlene." Even with award favorites Meryl Streep for "The Iron Lady" (56 percent fresh), Charlize Theron for "Young Adult" (79 percent fresh) and Tilda Swinton for "We Need to Talk About Kevin" (83 percent fresh), we think Viola Davis will take home the trophy for her work in "The Help," the film's 76 percent fresh rating notwithstanding since the highest praise for the film went to the acting by Davis and the rest of the ensemble cast.
Best Director: Another very tough call, given the nominations for Hollywood icons Martin Scorsese's "Hugo" (84 percent fresh) and Steven Speilberg's "War Horse" (78 percent fresh) and the continued love for Michel Hazanavicius' "The Artist" (97 percent fresh). We're going to go with Rotten Tomatoes on this one and predict that Hazanavicius will win. The film stands out among its competition for being shot completely in black and white, with no dialogue. Critics love the unique and daring approach Hazanavicius took in making the film.
Best Picture: Based on the fresh ratings for the films in this category, the front-runners here are "The Artist," "Hugo" and "Moneyball." Dark horses are "Drive" and "Midnight In Paris," both at 93 percent fresh. Really it comes down to the two films about film, "The Artist" and "Hugo." It's a decision between a unique, black-and-white silent picture and Martin Scorsese's first-ever foray into the family-friendly genre. How do you choose between such stellar nominees? We're going with "The Artist" and its crowd- and critic-pleasing 97 percent freshness.
What are your predictions for the 2012 Critics' Choice Movie Awards? Sound off in the comments section!
Stick with MTV News all night for the 2012 Critics' Choice Awards winners, and don't miss all the fashion from the red carpet!
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'Abraham Lincoln' Star Benjamin Walker Is One To Watch In 2012
Walker talks to MTV News about playing a vampire-killing president.
By Josh Horowitz
Benjamin Walker in "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter"
Photo: Twentieth Century Fox Film
MTV News' first couple minutes on the set of "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" last spring were freaky. There we were, on a soundstage in New Orleans, and yet standing in front of us was the 16th President of the United States himself. A Fox publicist's assurance that we were set to talk to Benjamin Walker, star and namesake of "Vampire Hunter," rather than the man who was gunned down in a theater in 1865, did little to diminish the creepiness, because we were starring at no actor but Honest Abe himself.
Eventually we composed ourselves, and an epic and whirlwind day on the set of director Timur Bekmambetov's adaptation of Seth Grahame-Smith's best-selling novel proceeded without a hitch. Now, we're rolling out our exclusive look at the set, including interviews with Walker, Bekmambetov and costar Anthony Mackie. It's all part of our Ones to Watch series, a weeklong look at actors and actresses set to have amazing years in 2012.
Out of his Abe getup and with "Vampire Hunter" set for release on June 22, Walker called us up to chat in greater depth about his experience in the genre mashup and why the film will show us Lincoln as we've truly never seen him before.
MTV News: Is it a daunting proposition knowing what's to come? This is a summer tent pole and you're the guy. Do you feel a little bit of that weight?
Benjamin Walker: Having never done it, I really don't even know what to be afraid of. I'm just taking it in stride.
MTV: Was this role, when you heard about it, something that was like, "Oh my god, that's something I'm dying to do?" Or was it something that took a little discussing with your team to say, "Hey, this would be cool for you."
Walker: Well, I had just finished doing a rock musical about Andrew Jackson, so I was already suited for it. What really got me excited was Timur. I liked his work, and as soon as I found out he was directing it, I wanted to be a part of it.
MTV: Can you give me a sense of what the process was like in getting the role? Did you have to go through multiple auditions and screen tests?
Walker: I met him in LA months before I got the job, and then he came and saw the Andrew Jackson show. There was a test that we did together with no prosthetics, and then we had the test Greg Cannom and Will Huff, the makeup artists. After that, the deal was closed, but we're talking about over the span of six or seven months.
MTV: What's the preparation for a role like this? What were the things you needed to get done before you stepped onto set for the first time?
Walker: First off, I had to lose about 30 pounds. I put on a lot of weight for Andrew Jackson, and Lincoln, particularly later in his life, was a very slight man. I learned ax fighting, which was a whole new martial art that they created for the film. Then I started brushing up on my Abe Lincoln history.
MTV: Was the weight loss easy for you to do?
Walker: Who can do that? It's the easiest way to do it, when a studio's willing to help you do it, and then you're training at the same time so you're exercising regularly and heavily. Certainly the easiest way to do it, but certainly not pleasant.
MTV: Tell me about Lincoln's fighting style.
Walker: The stunt guys and the fight choreographer, Mic Rodgers, who is a stunt legend, and a gentleman named Don Lee — all of these guys are martial artists and stuntmen. They created a form of fighting that would be unique to Lincoln at that time, that's never been in a movie before. As I'm learning it, they're creating it. It was really fascinating.
MTV: What is it comparable to?
Walker: It's comparable to a kind of bow staff fighting. If you imagine a shorter bow staff with a blade on the end of it, a kind of continuously spinning, ruthless and simultaneously graceful martial art.
MTV: When I was on set, I noticed the makeup on you was remarkable up close. I would imagine that you have to do this fighting stuff in that getup, obviously. That seems like a twofold challenge for you. Did that get in the way at all?
Walker: It became uncomfortable over time. You start to sweat under it. You're wearing a three-piece wool suit and fighting vampires and you're wearing a mask. It really becomes uncomfortable, but the men who created it, Greg Cannom and Will Huff, are absolute geniuses. If I ever felt frustrated, all I had to do was catch a reflection of this amazing sculpture that they had created on my face. The frustration would just fall away because I knew how great it looked.
MTV: Did your friends or wife visit you on set, and what did they make of your look?
Walker: Mostly everyone was creeped out by it because it's Abraham Lincoln, and I'm talking about where we're going to go have dinner.
MTV: So you didn't ever walk off set in downtown New Orleans as Abraham Lincoln?
Walker: No, because we're trying to keep it and how magnificent it looks as secret as possible. I was kind of sequestered to a tent anytime I was off shooting.
MTV: I'm anxious to see some finished footage in a trailer. Have they shown you much yet?
Walker: I've only seen some ADR material, and it's very, very exciting.
MTV: Did you guys shoot it in 3-D or are you posting it in 3-D?
Walker: If I'm not mistaken, we're posting it in 3-D.
MTV: Was the book itself useful? Had you read the book prior to this opportunity coming up?
Walker: I read the book as soon as I knew I was going to meet on it. It's helpful in terms of understanding the style and the seriousness with which we embrace this mashup, but there are going to be things in the movie that are surprises to people who know the book. But, also, we pay homage to what's great about the book.
MTV: My sense is — correct me if I'm wrong — that it feels like I was on the set of a Lincoln biopic because I didn't see any of the action stuff. It feels like it was all shooting extremely seriously and then you add that layer of crazy action and irreverence in that form. Does it feel like we're in a drama that's infected with action and violence?
Walker: It's more like we looked at Lincoln through the lens of that. What we do is embrace a dramatic story. It's in the title. You get it. Vampires. Now we commit to it, and you get to go on that ride.
MTV: Do you feel a little bit of resentment toward Mr. Daniel Day-Lewis? This guy can't let you be the one Lincoln of the year. You have some competition from the greatest living actor on the planet.
Walker: Luckily, they're very different movies.
MTV: What can you guarantee to me is better about your Lincoln movie than his Lincoln movie?
Walker: Our vampires will be much better than their vampires.
MTV: Although, I would like to see Daniel Day-Lewis fight vampires. You could do a mashup there one day. Are your presidential days behind you?
Walker: I would love to continue through the cannon of American presidents. They're fascinating people. America's story is a story that fascinates me. I'll never turn down a president.
MTV: Let it be known to casting directors everywhere.
Walker: It has to be a weird interpretation of the president, apparently.
MTV: A very specialized career you have going. 'Paradise Lost,' what's going on with that? Is that a stop? Is that a go?
Walker: It sounds like what they're trying to do is so ambitious they need a little bit more time to prep. They're looking for the summer, which is fine by me. It's also the kind of movie that if we're not ready, we don't need to start. They're doing something in a technological aspect that nobody's ever done in a movie. If they want a little extra time, they can have it.
MTV: I assume you're jazzed about that one. You like the script and you like the interpretation? We haven't seen many blockbusters made of poems in the history of cinema, but this will be something unique, I think.
Walker: That story is the story that began all stories. It's one of the greatest stories of all time. It's something I studied in school and I'm excited to be a part of.
MTV: Are you still doing some comedy in New York or elsewhere?
Walker: Oh yeah, Find the Funny is at Joe's Pub usually the first of every month. We're working out some kinks for the New Year, but we're certainly going to be starting out here shortly. It's something I love to do and something I love to be a part of.
MTV: That side of you is something we haven't seen on the big screen yet. Is that opportunity is exciting for you? To bring a little bit of that stage persona to the big screen work?
Walker: I think it would be a lot of fun. There's little greater in life than making someone laugh. If you can do it in the medium of film, it's even more rewards, I imagine.
MTV: Do you know what the next gig is, whether it's on stage or in front of the camera?
Walker: Well, the industry is coming back together after the holidays. There are a lot of possibilities. "Paradise" moving has changed some things. So far, I'm gearing up for the press tour for "Lincoln," which is going to be a huge undertaking.
MTV: Have you talked to friends and family that have gone through this sort of thing yet to know what you're getting into? It's a lot of sitting in hotel rooms and answering the same questions for hours on end, carpets.
Walker: I could probably ask you what it's like. You know better than anybody. You probably have to be much more miserable than I have to be.
MTV: I'm looking forward to seeing how glazed over your eyes are when I see you at your first junket. Will it be your first junket you've done?
Walker: You can reserve the right, because we know each other, to reach across the table and swat me, to bring me back to life if you need to.
MTV: There was talk that you did a workshop for this "American Psycho" musical. Was that something that was fun? Is that something you're hoping might come together in another form?
Walker: I'd love to do it. The music was great. Duncan Sheik did the music. It's a very timely story right now. It's a musical about the deregulation of American finance through the lens of a crazy person. It's a lot of fun. The thing that's great about "American Psycho" as a play or musical is that it's funnier.
MTV: Were you a fan of Mary Harron's film? Obviously, Christian Bale was amazing in that as well.
Walker: That was an amazing movie.
MTV: A little bit of a different take, it sounds like. I guess accentuate the humor a little bit more.
Walker: A lot of the things that happened in the film were inferred through voice-over, with a stage play, it's direct address. You're literally having a conversation with the audience.
MTV: Is there Phil Collins? Is there Genesis in the stage play?
Walker: Oh, yeah. "Feel It Coming In the Air Tonight."
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