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What did you
guys do to bond?
Andre Benjamin: Talk about
each other.
Garrett Hedlund:
There was a lot of pushing
buttons. Naturally. We didn’t really
have that much time. We got out there,
in Toronto, and we started filming next
week. We had hockey practice everyday.
At that point, every moment we had
together, we’d try to sit down and get
to know each other. But it was really
fortunate that it was quite natural at
the beginning.
You’re from Minnesota (Garrett), but
you’re not (Andre)?
AB: That’s right. I’m from
Atlanta. And I don’t even get out in the
cold. He’s exactly right. When we got
out there, there was no rehearsals. So
the bonding was natural like.
What’s the
difference Andre that you get out of
music and film?
AB: For me like in music, I
have complete control. I say exactly
what I want to say. If I don’t want to,
I don’t have to go to the studio at that
time if I don’t want to. In film, it’s
like a team. I’m on everybody’s schedule
and we all work together. I’m up early
in the morning and I’m interpreting
somebody else’s lines. So, it’s like a
great balance. We’ve been doing music
for like 10 years. We came in at a great
time, when you’re looking for new
inspirations.
Interpreting other people’s lines.
What does that creatively do for you?
What does that do for you as an artist?
AB: Mindset basically. I
mean, that’s what I really like about
it. I’m not like a struggling actor who
started in theatre and had been doing it
all my life. I don’t have to take roles
that I really don’t like. I do it
because it’s like a personal thing. To
see if I can get into character.
Does that mean
Outkast is over?
AB: No. We are working on a
new album right now, which will be the
soundtrack to an HBO musical.
What’s the name
of it?
AB: Well, right now it’s
called My Life in Idlewood, but that’s a
working title.
Did you finish Revolver?
AB: Yeah.
And how was
that?
AB: Well, if you’re a Guy
Ritchie fan…I loved the quick pace.
And who are you
playing?
AB: I playing a loan shark.
Which is kind
of like a gangster?
AB: It’s kind of like a
psychological, shoot ‘em up, mind trick.
They had to explain it to me, four times
in a meeting before I got it.
Garrett, do you
listen to Outkast?
GH: I think I found my first
album on the floor in my high school.
Some of your roles, like Troy and
Four Brothers, poke at the idea of being
gay. Is it usual for you to constantly
get roles that appear to be gay?
GH: No, that wasn’t the case
in this film or in Troy. Most of those
jokes by Mark’ character where improv. A
lot was written into the scripts but a
lot of those scenes were taken out. It
was just that the character was written
that way. In Friday Night Lights, the
character was much stronger and still at
the same time, very insecure and
conscious. In this film, he looks up to
these guys. Their the only family in his
life. And yet still, he’s very much in
his own world. He’s this separatist.
Because when he opens his mouth, he
never really says the right thing so he
never says anything.
Your character
kept playing the guitar and was called a
Rock Star on occasion. Was that his
thing, to turn to music?
GH: He would like to.
Will he cut an
album with Andre?
AB and GH: Laugh. No.
What’s up with Charlotte’ Web?
AB: Yeah. It’s like a voice
over job. I’m a crow.
Do people come
to you for every movie and do you have a
hard time saying no?
AB: No. Not at all. It may
seem that way. But it’s the exact
opposite. Because of my background a lot
of cats and directors, they feel like
they can’t see past the Hey Ya guy. I
have a hard time doing that. My job is
harder than Robert DeNiro’ job. Because
he can show up and be who he has to be.
I have to not be Andre 3000 first.
So Andre 3000
is really a character?
AB: Yeah.
That’s got to be hard in your acting
career?
AB: Well, in a way it is. But
some people think that I am really Andre
3000. I’m closer to Jeremiah than I am
to Andre 3000.
Most music artists want to keep their
names for all entities like Queen
Latifah and 50 Cent. Why did you choose
to move away from that with Andre
Benjamin as oppose to Andre 3000?
AB: With Andre 3000 it’s a
character. Andre 3000 didn’t play
Jeremiah.
Can you talk
about the feel of the music in Four
Brothers? Lots of people feel it’s like
a 70s movie with the Motown Sound?
GH: It definitely deals with
the whole anti hero concept; movies from
the 70s. French Connection was really
funny because I’d actually watch that
while on set. And I’d see scenes. And
John would… you know, just an elevator
shot of numbers on the elevator, and it
would be the same exact shot in French
Connection. And John would go, “If you
want to steal…steal from the best.” But
I thought that was great. I think the
music really makes the film.
Are you making
something else right now?
GH: Not anything as of yet.
But I will know next week.
What magical power would you like to
have?
GH: I want to fly.
AB:
Not a magical power but, I always wanted
a roller coaster in my room.
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