American actors Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis and Charlie Day star as three unhappy employees debating the benefits of killing each other’s bosses in the Seth Gordon comedy, Horrible Bosses, where they co-starred with Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Spacey and Colin Farrell. Recently in London, they spoke about the filming their most embarrassing scenes, growing beards and going to the dentist.
Which were the most embarrassing scenes to shoot?
Well, if you act against Kevin Spacey you’re going to embarrass yourself ... running a tight second at best.
I was actually embarrassed to work with Jason [Bateman]. But probably sticking all of those things [bathroom items] up my butt!
Was that in the original script?
It was in the original script. They started from there and just worked forward and backward.
And Charlie?
I had to remove my clothes and stand next to Jennifer Aniston, who looks fantastic, so I was embarrassed about myself.
Have you had a bad boss? What’s the strangest thing a director has asked you to do in preparation for a part?
I haven’t had a bad boss really, or if I have, I’ve usually lost the job or quit it. But acting-wise, I’ve been pretty fortunate, personally.
I was strongly encouraged to learn guitar for Juno. There was one scene where I had to play two lines from some Courtney Love song and I just didn’t see the need for it and I actually passed on the movie because they kept coming with guitar lessons! But we managed to find a compromise and I ended up doing the movie. You should see it.
Jason, what’s the earliest time in the day you’ve ever had a drink?
Um, well does still being up count as early or late? If memory serves, there’s probably every hour of the day at some point ... anywhere in the world, right? Depending on which time zone I’m in, what’s breakfast in one country is lunchtime in another.
With so many comedy geniuses on the set, what was it like filming? And do you have any funny stories to reveal?
Well, here’s the deal about being a comedy genius [sighs], you know you just sort of do what you do and ... I don’t know if we have any funny stories. I get slapped a lot. We didn’t break a tonne because we knew the script and we knew where it was going. But some of the late hours and shooting late at night made us a bit slap happy, no pun intended. But that would bring about some laughter fits.
I’m still not excited about going to the dentist. If anything, it’s got to be more of a letdown...
And were there any challenges?
Jamie Foxx gave me some challenges. You forget that he started on In Living Colour and he’s incredibly funny, but he also brought a lot of his dramatic acting to this part as well. So, he sort of combined the two, which meant he wasn’t really winking as they say. So, it was pretty sneaky, his being funny and he got me quite a bit.
How important are box office sales to you and do you care about what critics say about your performances in films?
I would say you care about box office dependent on your profit participation trigger. And critical love is good if it doesn’t make any money. You have to come out with some sort of a plus.
Charlie?
Well, I think you want the movie to do well. I think it’s a lot more fun ... it’s one thing to make it and be proud of it but no one sees it. It’s a lot more rewarding when people are coming out and paying good money to see it. So, you care in so far that you’re happy that people are seeing your work. As for the critics, it really hurts when they knock you.
Jason?
My basketball coach in high school said: “Don’t concern yourself with things that you have no control over.” Those would be two things that I have no control over, so I guess that would apply.
Like getting the ball ...
Getting the ball, playing in the game, being on the team! All that stuff. So, I’m following his advice in regard to that stuff.
Jason, are you regretting not growing a beard for this press conference?
[looks blank then slowly turns to look at Sudeikis, Day, Spacey and Seth Gordon, all of whom have beards] Ohhhh. Mine's at the cleaners.
Really? I thought she was downstairs drinking tea ... [Laughter]
Has this changed any of your perceptions of dentistry?
No, I’m still not excited about going to the dentist. If anything, it’s got to be more of a letdown.