"We're the Millers" features a number of well-known and rising stars including Jennifer Aniston, Jason Sudeikis, Emma Roberts, Kathryn Hahn, and Nick Offerman. However, the actor poised to breakout after the release of the film is 20-year-old Brit Will Poulter.
The young star spoke with Latinos Post's David Salazar this weekend and offered up his perspective on the film, his career, and his pastimes.
In "We're the Millers," Poulter takes on the role of Kenny, an awkward teenager that has been abandoned by his mother. He looks up to Dave, a local drug dealer that resides in the same apartment complex. However, the youngster is too naïve to realize that the respect is not mutual.
"Kenny's one of those kids that has a massive heart and he sees the good in everybody. He's very sensitive and yet he's totally desensitized to anyone being mean to him, anyone trying to brush him off, anyone trying to tell Kenny to... hop it," explains Poulter. "He thinks Jason's [character David] is the greatest person on earth. He thinks Jason can do no wrong. He thinks Jason is a hero and all Jason does throughout the first half of the movie is push Kenny away and he does not even [realize]. It's funny."
While elaborating on the character, Poulter noted that there were some clear differences between his real-life persona and his "Millers" alter ego.
"He's got this kind of dopey unawareness to him. In my brain he's academically very intelligent. He's the kind of kid, who at school, would kill it. And he games a lot. That is very different from me," Poulter said. "I did not crush it at school and I didn't game a lot. But I do tend to be a little dopey at times so there are similarities and dissimilarities between me and Kenny for sure."
Star Making Moments For Kenny
Kenny gets a number of memorable scenes throughout the film, including a highly publicized moment in the RV where he raps to TLC's "Waterfalls." Poulter noted that the original script did not specify a song. He said the idea for "Waterfalls" sprung from his collaboration with Sudeikis as the two spent a lot of time listening to hip-hop together.
"When he found out that I liked hip-hop too, he thought it would be kind of [cool] to 'Kenny-fy' it. If Kenny was to rap hip-hop, of course it would be Left Eye's verse in 'Waterfalls.' It was fun to do," he said.
Another one of Kenny's major moments features him getting a kissing lesson from his "mother" Rose (Aniston) and his "sister" Casey (Roberts). Meanwhile, his "father" Dave films the sequence on camera in a moment of self-reflexivity.
"It was obviously an awkward scene to shoot but we kind of laughed our way through it," Poulter revealed. "Jen and Emma are both pros so we just treated it like every other scene. It took an average amount of time but it probably felt longer for everybody involved and more drawn out."
When asked which of the two actresses was the better kisser, Poulter responded: "I cannot say who was the better kisser. I'm not allowed to contractually."
However, the most difficult scene of the shoot, and the one to most likely turn heads, showcases Kenny's genitals after receiving a spider bite. The actor was forced to wear a prosthetic that took approximately three hours to apply and remove; he was fully exposed throughout that time period.
"That was a very strange experience," he grimaced. "It's a long time with your pants dropped in front of another man's face."
While walking around set he was able to utilize what he described as a "massive pair of track sweatpants."
However, that did not help with the shame he felt when he had to expose his prosthetic on set to his other castmembers.
"I could have had a sort of open neck wound and it wouldn't have caused as much shock as that prosthetic did. It is as gross as it gets," Poulter said about his colleagues' reactions. "I felt humiliated."
Bonding with the Millers
Most of the film features the four characters bonding and growing together as a "family." Poulter explained that the four actors developed chemistry throughout the shoot.
"We spent so much time together on set, and when you're shooting in an RV there's really nowhere to go, so you have no choice but to get on," he said. "And actually we all did. We gelled really well and there was a nice chemistry that developed.
"Our chemistry evolved and changed throughout the process but we spent so much time with each other on set and I barely did a scene without Jen, Jason, or Emma and it was lovely. It was really fun."
The actors were so comfortable with one another that they were able to easily improvise while filming. However, Poulter noted that doing improvisational work with Sudeikis was extremely difficult.
"Jason really loves making people laugh. And doing scenes with him was virtually impossible," he noted. The youngster was also taken aback by the terrific improvisational work of Offerman and Hahn in their supporting roles.
"The funniest couple of all time. They smashed the improvisation; they were just amazing at it," he marveled. "You could have done a whole separate movie about Don and Edie. It was great."
Poulter's Path To Stardom
Poulter said he always wanted to be an actor. During his formative school years, he knew he wanted to perform, but simply did not know how to achieve his goal. Lacking a clear path to his dreams created a great deal of frustration, said Poulter.
"I got really despondent at school because I felt that it was not going to happen to me," he revealed. "It's kind of bizarre to be out here. I can't get over it. I was in London a few months ago at the University and now I'm out here doing this. It's the most crazy transition."
However, he eventually landed a role in "Son of Rambow" in 2007 before working on such TV shows as "School of Comedy," "Comedy: Shuffle," "Lead Balloon," and "The Fades." In 2010, he landed a role in "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader," receiving acclaim for his performance.
Despite his trajectory, Poulter admits that his relatives are still getting used to the idea of having a movie star in the family.
"My family still freaks out. They'll keep a newspaper if I'm in it. My friends still tape trailers if they see them on the TV. Because it's me," he noted before explaining that he is the only thespian among his relatives. "I'm the black sheep of the family. They're all in medicine and all super clever and I'm the performing monkey. They're all so supportive. Couldn't be more supportive."
Future Projects and Aspirations
Poulter just wrapped shooting on the upcoming "The Maze Runner," a film directed by first-timer Wes Ball. The actor revealed that the production was a blast and complimented Ball on his work.
"It was really clear that you were working with a visionary and you were working with someone who had a very very special talent for creating film," he said. "From visual perspective and a narrative perspective he had this amazing sense of scope with everything he creates. He thinks about how it fits into the larger picture."
The actor is also slated to appear in Julian Gilbey's "Plastic" and Stephen Kijak's "Shoplifters of the World."
Poulter said he would love to play a super villain at some point in his career. However, he revealed that the one role he always dreamed of playing might never happen due to a past iconic portrayal.
"I really wanted to play the Joker. That was always my ambition," he declared before noting Heath Ledger's performance in "The Dark Knight" was "the best villain performance of all time I think."
Fortunately he has alternative dream roles, including the possibility of being a super agent.
"Every time I go to the Waterloo Station in London, and I do it regularly... You get your old iPod earphone in, tie your shoe, it kind of makes you feel like Jason [Bourne]," he noted. When asked about potentially taking the mantle as agent 007, the actor also expressed interest.
"That would be amazing, but I don't know. Daniel Craig is going to have the crown for a while," he said. However, "We'll see. If they lose their mind and get desperate [then I might have a chance]."
The thespian listed "Good Will Hunting," "Stand by Me," and Ben Affleck's "The Town" among his favorite films.
Regarding his preferred genre Poulter stated, "I think drama in general. That encapsulates a lot of things. I love a really great drama."
Among the actors that he admires most are Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon.
"[DiCaprio's] a killer. Gilbert's Grape. That's just the most incredible performance and ever since then he's challenged himself, gone in new directions," he said before declaring his desire to see his role model earn an Academy Award nomination for his upcoming performance in "Wolf of Wall Street" next winter.
"If he doesn't get nominated for an Oscar I might chop my hand off," he said.
Regarding Damon, Poulter added, "He doesn't get enough credit. As an actor he's fantastic. People forget he's a brilliant character actor."
Other actors he respects greatly are Joaquin Phoenix, Robin Williams, and Phillip Seymour Hoffman.
"Those guys really transform themselves. Morph themselves," he said. "I respect that."
He also marveled about veteran Al Pacino. "I've never seen anyone less aware of a camera in my life. Al Pacino never looks like he's being filmed. I think that's kind of the trick to it," he said.
Arsenal And Other Interests
Poulter declared himself a major rap fan and even admitted that he runs a website dedicated to the genre.
He also expressed an interest for shopping and fashion.
"I love fashion. I shop like a 16-year old girl," he said. What does he spend most of his money on? "Sneakers. That's what I spend money I don't have on."
However, like every proud Londoner, Poulter expressed his deep passion for football/soccer and his beloved team Arsenal.
During his stay in New York, the actor saw New York Red Bulls star Thierry Henry at a hotel; Henry played for Arsenal from 1999 through 2007 and scored 174 goals in 254 appearances for the club. He also led the team to three FA Cup championships and two Premier league titles. Henry was later loaned out to the English club for four matches during the 2012 season.
"I freaked out. I had to try to hold it together," said Poulter. "I wanted to go and tell him I love him but I didn't because he was eating. It's going to be one of my biggest regrets."
Poulter said he plans to travel to Brazil for the World Cup next summer. However, when asked about his work schedule, he showed some hesitance.
"I'm really hoping that I don't [have anything lined up]," he said. "It's funny because I've experienced so much unemployment and if I know my luck I'll actually get a job then. But hopefully not."
Those watching his star-making turn in "We're the Millers" will hope he is busy with another great role.
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