Adrien Brody Hollywoodland Interview

10-03-2007 12:40

Living in Hollywood can make you famous. Dying in Hollywood can make you a legend

Catch a glitteringly gripping insight into the highs and lows of stardom in Hollywood as Hollywoodland is released on DVD from 19th March 2007

Hollywoodland, the compelling tale of the success and mysterious demise of Superman hero George Reeves, is out to own on DVD from 19th March and Blu Ray from 23rd March. Hotly tipped for Oscar® nominations, Hollywoodland is packed with DVD extras that will sweep you further into the life of the original Man of Steel and Hollywood’s glamorous golden era.

Q: After playing the private eye in Hollywoodland did you come to any conclusions about the death of George Reeves?

A: Initially my character’s quest is much more superficial. This is a splashy case that would land him a lot of credibility if he was able to disprove the police findings. Along the way he gains an understanding and a bit of empathy for Reeves. I usually decline from giving a personal opinion because the purpose of the film is to paint an objective portrayal of what could have happened. More importantly, it is about more than solving the mystery even though there are a lot of unanswered questions. But I wasn’t there and I don’t know if I do have the right answer.

Q: What research did you feel was necessary?

A: Normally there is a tremendous amount of research done into the details of a case like this. But Allen and I felt that because my character was not the greatest detective that we tried to keep my investigation purely on an understanding of Mannix and more on the level of control back then by the studio rather than the details of the case.

Q: Are the studios as ruthless now as they appear to be in Hollywoodland?

A: I think that every individual’s experience is different. I have had both wonderful and not so wonderful experiences with the way a studio took care of me or decided not to take care of me. On this film they took wonderful care of me. On Thin Red Lined they ultimately didn’t tell me that I wouldn’t be in the film. George Reeves and I have both been cut out of James Jones movies! I felt a particular empathy for him in that moment; watching the scene play out in his premiere because I had a similar experience. I was being touted as one of the leads - not the lead - and was essentially omitted. I had already done a substantial amount of Press. I was on the cover of Vanity Fair, which was publicly humiliating in a way and didn’t really reflect anything to do with me. I don’t think there was much regard for me or what I had contributed.

Q: Do you feel a need for validation for your work or is the work itself enough?

A: It is nice when people have nice things to say about your work, I don’t deny that. I try to find material that inspires some kind of growth in me, that allows me to push beyond a safe barrier. I am trying to take risks for myself. Part of it is exposing those risks and I am or may not be successful and I have to accept that. The more well known you are the more people have preconceived notions of how you are as an actor and as a human being. It is a difficult question. I try to base my choices for my own benefit but obviously there is a part of me that would like the work to be well received. You don’t want to do work that people are not moved by. More than a favorable review or comment, I want people to walk away from a film of mine with having connected to my character. If I am able to do that then I feel I am doing my job.