Matt Lanter Talks Disaster Movie - page 2

11 months ago 16th Dec 14:32

You filmed alongside Vanessa Minnillo, Kim Kardashian and Carmen Electra that must have been difficult for you? How was the filming process?

Well firstly, it’s obviously not fun working with a group of such repulsive women. I mean really, couldn’t they have cast some hotter girls haha. No they were great! I think we all had a lot of fun on set and definitely goofed off 24/7. When you’re filming on location in a completely foreign place for months at a time, you’ve got to have some cool people to chill with on and off the set. We had that in Jason and Aaron and on down through the cast and crew which really made the experience enjoyable.

Filming was truly a blast and unforgettable. I mean there were days when we were just slap happy and had tears rolling down our faces from some of the improv takes and goof ups. We had so many comics in the cast, that you never knew what you were gonna get. We would usually get a few takes by the script and then we were free to improv and play around!

Having said that the spoof movies are very popular with movie goers what do you think there appeal is?

Yeah, it’s definitely true. There is a huge audience for that stuff. Again, I personally love it and had a great time doing it. For me, it’s just about sitting back, having a good time and laughing at the 'stupid' comedy. It doesn’t really make sense and is completely random, but that’s why it’s so fun. I think sometimes it’s nice to watch something that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Throughout your career you have worked in both television and film how do they compare and how did you find the transition from TV to film?

I like working on both TV and film for different reasons. There aren’t necessarily shocking differences aside from obvious reasons. With film you get to travel and see new places. You also get to take a character on more of an emotional arc in a set time, usually a few months, whereas in TV you have to live with the character for the span of the show.

Playing an arrogant jerk for five years might get kind of tiring! On the flip side, with TV you’ll be sleeping in your own bed for those five years instead of living out of a hotel for months at a time!

Unlike many actors who tend to dropout of school to pursue their acting careers you went to University and studied Sports Business what made you choose to go into acting?

Uh oh, well I can’t lie I'm actually a few credits away from my degree! I have always been intrigued by film and television. I was and still am completely taken by the magic of it all. I did some extra work when I was still living in Atlanta and I just caught the bug. I just felt like acting was something I wanted to do... felt a calling to go at that point, so I packed up my car with a little bit of money I had saved and I drove to LA.

And how supportive have your family been about that decision as it's an uncertain career?

Of course at first they were skeptical. My parents care about me and my well being so when I came to them while I was still in school and said, ‘Hey I think I’m gonna go live in LA, they weren’t thrilled. Once they knew I was serious, they were 100% supportive and continue to be today. My mom is definitely my biggest fan.

Most recently we saw you, well heard, in Star Wars: Clone Wars voicing Anankin Skywalker what was it like stepping into George Lucas' Star Wars universe?

When I found out that I had booked the role, I have to admit I was a bit nervous about filling the shoes of such an iconic character that has already been established. But ya know once I jumped in, I felt completely comfortable. I’m making The Clones Wars Anakin my own, which is a little different than we have seen in the films.

This Anakin is more of the classic hero. I love being a part of the Star Wars universe and all that comes with it. The fan base is so huge and passionate about it and that’s what makes it such a special project. The fan mail has definitely stepped up since I got the role, that’s for sure!

And how difficult is it voicing a character compared to physically acting? Will you be returning to that character?

Voiceover is still acting, just in a different sense. As a voiceover actor, you have to tap into other tools. Imagination is key as well as the obvious factor of having to express the characters complete emotion through voice. You don’t have facial expression or body language so it all has to come through in your voice.

Finally what is next for you?

Well again, I’ve just wrapped up Sorority Row and we still have a little work to do on that as far as the finishing touches. I’ll continue to voice Anakin for the Clone Wars series which is slated to run for a quite a while and as we speak I have a couple of on-camera projects on the table, but neither are concrete at this moment so I don’t wanna jinx them!

Thanks for taking time out to answer my questions and good luck with everything

Thanks!

Disaster Movie is out on DVD AND Blu Ray on 19TH January 2009

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw