Alex Pettyfer talks to us about making I Am Number Four and the pressures of being a leading man in a big Hollywood blockbuster at the age of 20. He also discusses working with Glee's Dianna Agron, and why he intends to remain out of the media glare so he can continue to perfect his craft as an actor.
What was the initial appeal of I Am Number Four?
Alex Pettyfer: I think the biggest appeal was [my character] John. He was this dynamic character who had so many layers to him. I loved the fact that he starts off as this insecure man and then becomes this warrior. I 사랑 that transition that he makes in the story in between.
Who did 당신 meet when 당신 auditioned? Michael Bay, for instance, pays 당신 a huge compliment in the film's production notes, saying he has followed 당신 for some time and that 당신 mix vulnerability with strength so well...
Alex Pettyfer: He said that? I met Michael 만, 베이 for 트랜스포머 and I was too young. I've met him two 또는 three times after that and he's a great man. But for this, I met DJ [Caruso, director] and he was my right-hand man... my partner in crime.
I read that 당신 kind of developed a father-son relationship on set with him...
Alex Pettyfer: Yeah, he's a father of five kids and he brings this father quality to the movie set. He makes sure that it's like a family. But he really pushes 당신 as an actor and as a human being.
How did he push you?
Alex Pettyfer: As an actor, I never knew that when you're No.1 on the call sheet 당신 have not only the responsibility of carrying the film but also the responsibility of keeping up the morale of the crew and cast. So, that's what I learned.
How did 당신 find doing that? Was it easy?
Alex Pettyfer: No, it was very hard. At 20 years of age, 당신 don't realise the tiny things that are important. And on a physical aspect, I never wanted to jump off a cliff backwards and he pushed me to do that, saying it would be an experience, so I did it in the end.
It's a very physical shoot. Did 당신 pick up any injuries?
Alex Pettyfer: I didn't pick up any injuries. I picked up a couple of bruises which I complained about like a little b**** for two weeks. If I had injured myself, I'm sure the whole crew would have heard about it for a 월 또는 so.
Are 당신 the kind of actor who likes to do as many stunts as your insurance will allow?
Alex Pettyfer: Of course. I did all my own stunts on this movie. I think there were only one 또는 two I physically couldn't do.
Like the jet-ski twirling?
Alex Pettyfer: I did that. But the things I couldn't do were the parkour. There's only one guy in the world who can do it - a back-flip, but as I'm doing it I push my hands on the locker and I then frog-leap. That was Damien [Walters, stuntman]. And the other one is where I get rugby tackled 의해 the two guys and I land on my neck. He also did that.
How much training did 당신 do before shooting on the physical element?
Alex Pettyfer: Two months. I did a lot of physical training with wires. We just wanted to make John discover his powers. We didn't want to make it a 초 nature. We wanted it to be organic.
How was getting to 별, 스타 alongside Timothy Olyphant?
Alex Pettyfer: I 사랑 that man. He's great in the movie and he really brings this comical timing but this father aura.
Did he do anything to mix it up and surprise you?
Alex Pettyfer: All the time. He's a very interesting actor. He'll really throw 당신 off guard. I can't explain it. You'll think you're going in the scene one way, and he goes in the scene the other way. It's not so much about winning, it's about who comes out with what they want. And nine times out of 10 he comes out with what he wants.
And how was working with Dianna Agron? Did 당신 have time to work on your chemistry?
Alex Pettyfer: We had a two-week rehearsal process with DJ when we talked over everything. We realised that both of us... our characters were outsiders and that we should develop the relationship 의해 the fact we had this in common.
Had 당신 watched Glee?
Alex Pettyfer: I hadn't watched 글리 [laughs]. I had never seen Glee. It's a phenomenon, right?
Obviously, 당신 got a real-life relationship out of the film, with Dianna... another positive experience from shooting I Am Number Four?
Alex Pettyfer: [Remains silent]
Going into a film like this, are 당신 aware of any of the pressures of box office and the fact that this is designed to kick-start a franchise? This is stepping up to another level for you?
Alex Pettyfer: Yeah, it's another level. It's exciting. Even if one person sees it and enjoys it, it's the job that 당신 want to do. 당신 want people to have fun and 영화 are about escape. There are pressures as an actor and as a young man but I think my main focus is just to do my job - and that's to entertain people. And if people are entertained then I'm very happy.
Does this carry any extra burden though, being that this is a franchise starter?
Alex Pettyfer: Yeah, but I just hope that if people enjoy this one, then we'll get the opportunity to make a 초 one because I loved making it and I'm very proud of it.
Are 당신 contracted to make more?
Alex Pettyfer: No. We just want to make this one successful.
Do 당신 see this as being a pivotal 년 for you?
Alex Pettyfer: Yeah, I have three 영화 coming out [I Am Number Four, Beastly, Now], three 영화 I'm very proud of, and even though they're in the sci-fi 또는 판타지 genre, they're very different for me. I'm really excited for people to see them.
Do 당신 feel 더 많이 drawn towards sci-fi? 또는 is that just the way it's worked out?
Alex Pettyfer: It's not so much the sci-fi I get drawn to, it's the story. I don't categorise films. But I like that element of fantasy.
How does it feel to be in demand at the moment? You're linked to some big upcoming projects like The Mortal Instruments and The Last Apprentice?
Alex Pettyfer: I haven't heard anything on those at the moment. I know that I've read the Mortal Instruments 책 and I'm just trying to figure out what's next. Both have got great directors on board. But I don't think I'm in demand. I'm well in with both companies and I think they're both going to make great movies. I think it's all down to the story that I really want to tell because I have to live with it for a year.
How are 당신 coping with the celebrity aspect of your career? It's something 당신 obviously have to take on as a young 별, 스타 - that you're going to be in the media glare... but 당신 seem like quite a private person. Are the bright lights something you're going to avoid?
Alex Pettyfer: No. I just don't see why I need to do any of that. It just ruins what I do as a job. I mean, the 더 많이 당신 know me the less 당신 know my character and I find that really upsetting.
All the best actors try and stay out of the headlines...
Alex Pettyfer: I don't think I'm the best actor. I just hope that 당신 guys don't get glared over 의해 where I shop.
또는 who 당신 see? You'd rather it be about what 당신 do?
Alex Pettyfer: And yet 당신 still asked me who I'm seeing. So, would 당신 rather see me play a character 또는 know who I'm seeing?
I'd rather talk to 당신 about films. So, who are the actors who inspired you? And what kind of roles did 당신 see as a kid that inspired 당신 to want to follow in those footsteps?
Alex Pettyfer: Gary Oldman when he played Drexl in True Romance; Christian Bale in The Fighter and American Psycho. In Bronson, I think Tom Hardy did a phenomenal job. He was good in Inception but I think the best in our generation is Ryan Gosling. 당신 know, Blue Valentine, and I think he has Drive coming up, which is a little bit 더 많이 commercial but it's the same director as Bronson [Nicolas Winding Refn]. So, that will be really interesting to see what he does.There are some good films being made at the moment. We've gone through a bit of a slope and I think we're coming out in a new era. We are still in a recession, which makes making 영화 very hard, but I just hope that we get to see some 더 많이 Bronsons and 더 많이 of those types of movies. They're the ones that I enjoy the most.
Interview: Rob Carnevale
What was the initial appeal of I Am Number Four?
Alex Pettyfer: I think the biggest appeal was [my character] John. He was this dynamic character who had so many layers to him. I loved the fact that he starts off as this insecure man and then becomes this warrior. I 사랑 that transition that he makes in the story in between.
Who did 당신 meet when 당신 auditioned? Michael Bay, for instance, pays 당신 a huge compliment in the film's production notes, saying he has followed 당신 for some time and that 당신 mix vulnerability with strength so well...
Alex Pettyfer: He said that? I met Michael 만, 베이 for 트랜스포머 and I was too young. I've met him two 또는 three times after that and he's a great man. But for this, I met DJ [Caruso, director] and he was my right-hand man... my partner in crime.
I read that 당신 kind of developed a father-son relationship on set with him...
Alex Pettyfer: Yeah, he's a father of five kids and he brings this father quality to the movie set. He makes sure that it's like a family. But he really pushes 당신 as an actor and as a human being.
How did he push you?
Alex Pettyfer: As an actor, I never knew that when you're No.1 on the call sheet 당신 have not only the responsibility of carrying the film but also the responsibility of keeping up the morale of the crew and cast. So, that's what I learned.
How did 당신 find doing that? Was it easy?
Alex Pettyfer: No, it was very hard. At 20 years of age, 당신 don't realise the tiny things that are important. And on a physical aspect, I never wanted to jump off a cliff backwards and he pushed me to do that, saying it would be an experience, so I did it in the end.
It's a very physical shoot. Did 당신 pick up any injuries?
Alex Pettyfer: I didn't pick up any injuries. I picked up a couple of bruises which I complained about like a little b**** for two weeks. If I had injured myself, I'm sure the whole crew would have heard about it for a 월 또는 so.
Are 당신 the kind of actor who likes to do as many stunts as your insurance will allow?
Alex Pettyfer: Of course. I did all my own stunts on this movie. I think there were only one 또는 two I physically couldn't do.
Like the jet-ski twirling?
Alex Pettyfer: I did that. But the things I couldn't do were the parkour. There's only one guy in the world who can do it - a back-flip, but as I'm doing it I push my hands on the locker and I then frog-leap. That was Damien [Walters, stuntman]. And the other one is where I get rugby tackled 의해 the two guys and I land on my neck. He also did that.
How much training did 당신 do before shooting on the physical element?
Alex Pettyfer: Two months. I did a lot of physical training with wires. We just wanted to make John discover his powers. We didn't want to make it a 초 nature. We wanted it to be organic.
How was getting to 별, 스타 alongside Timothy Olyphant?
Alex Pettyfer: I 사랑 that man. He's great in the movie and he really brings this comical timing but this father aura.
Did he do anything to mix it up and surprise you?
Alex Pettyfer: All the time. He's a very interesting actor. He'll really throw 당신 off guard. I can't explain it. You'll think you're going in the scene one way, and he goes in the scene the other way. It's not so much about winning, it's about who comes out with what they want. And nine times out of 10 he comes out with what he wants.
And how was working with Dianna Agron? Did 당신 have time to work on your chemistry?
Alex Pettyfer: We had a two-week rehearsal process with DJ when we talked over everything. We realised that both of us... our characters were outsiders and that we should develop the relationship 의해 the fact we had this in common.
Had 당신 watched Glee?
Alex Pettyfer: I hadn't watched 글리 [laughs]. I had never seen Glee. It's a phenomenon, right?
Obviously, 당신 got a real-life relationship out of the film, with Dianna... another positive experience from shooting I Am Number Four?
Alex Pettyfer: [Remains silent]
Going into a film like this, are 당신 aware of any of the pressures of box office and the fact that this is designed to kick-start a franchise? This is stepping up to another level for you?
Alex Pettyfer: Yeah, it's another level. It's exciting. Even if one person sees it and enjoys it, it's the job that 당신 want to do. 당신 want people to have fun and 영화 are about escape. There are pressures as an actor and as a young man but I think my main focus is just to do my job - and that's to entertain people. And if people are entertained then I'm very happy.
Does this carry any extra burden though, being that this is a franchise starter?
Alex Pettyfer: Yeah, but I just hope that if people enjoy this one, then we'll get the opportunity to make a 초 one because I loved making it and I'm very proud of it.
Are 당신 contracted to make more?
Alex Pettyfer: No. We just want to make this one successful.
Do 당신 see this as being a pivotal 년 for you?
Alex Pettyfer: Yeah, I have three 영화 coming out [I Am Number Four, Beastly, Now], three 영화 I'm very proud of, and even though they're in the sci-fi 또는 판타지 genre, they're very different for me. I'm really excited for people to see them.
Do 당신 feel 더 많이 drawn towards sci-fi? 또는 is that just the way it's worked out?
Alex Pettyfer: It's not so much the sci-fi I get drawn to, it's the story. I don't categorise films. But I like that element of fantasy.
How does it feel to be in demand at the moment? You're linked to some big upcoming projects like The Mortal Instruments and The Last Apprentice?
Alex Pettyfer: I haven't heard anything on those at the moment. I know that I've read the Mortal Instruments 책 and I'm just trying to figure out what's next. Both have got great directors on board. But I don't think I'm in demand. I'm well in with both companies and I think they're both going to make great movies. I think it's all down to the story that I really want to tell because I have to live with it for a year.
How are 당신 coping with the celebrity aspect of your career? It's something 당신 obviously have to take on as a young 별, 스타 - that you're going to be in the media glare... but 당신 seem like quite a private person. Are the bright lights something you're going to avoid?
Alex Pettyfer: No. I just don't see why I need to do any of that. It just ruins what I do as a job. I mean, the 더 많이 당신 know me the less 당신 know my character and I find that really upsetting.
All the best actors try and stay out of the headlines...
Alex Pettyfer: I don't think I'm the best actor. I just hope that 당신 guys don't get glared over 의해 where I shop.
또는 who 당신 see? You'd rather it be about what 당신 do?
Alex Pettyfer: And yet 당신 still asked me who I'm seeing. So, would 당신 rather see me play a character 또는 know who I'm seeing?
I'd rather talk to 당신 about films. So, who are the actors who inspired you? And what kind of roles did 당신 see as a kid that inspired 당신 to want to follow in those footsteps?
Alex Pettyfer: Gary Oldman when he played Drexl in True Romance; Christian Bale in The Fighter and American Psycho. In Bronson, I think Tom Hardy did a phenomenal job. He was good in Inception but I think the best in our generation is Ryan Gosling. 당신 know, Blue Valentine, and I think he has Drive coming up, which is a little bit 더 많이 commercial but it's the same director as Bronson [Nicolas Winding Refn]. So, that will be really interesting to see what he does.There are some good films being made at the moment. We've gone through a bit of a slope and I think we're coming out in a new era. We are still in a recession, which makes making 영화 very hard, but I just hope that we get to see some 더 많이 Bronsons and 더 많이 of those types of movies. They're the ones that I enjoy the most.
Interview: Rob Carnevale