An Interview with Josh Gad

[Brian Damage]

With the exception of one Kevin Spacey line - "don't call me dude" - Josh Gad owned every single laugh in "21."
In his newest movie, "The Rocker," he's in much funnier company: Jason Sudekis, Will Arnett, Christina Applegate, Jane Lynch, Bradley Cooper and Jane Krakowski all have parts in the new Rainn Wilson band-with-a-dream movie.

But what is it like acting opposite such hardcore comedy kings? Good question, let's find out!

Pop Wrap: Did you find it intimidating to be standing alongside some of the greatest comedians working today?
Josh Gad: I found it to be an unbelievably gratifying challenge. Every time anyone would go down the route of improv it would excite me to come up with something better - to try and top them. It was almost like being on a Groundlings movie.

PW: So there was the freedom to improv?
Josh: To a certain extent. As a comedic actor, I was blown away by whenever I'd look around and see Jane Lynch or Fred Armisen. A lot of times we'd be shooting late into the night and delirium would set in so you have all these incredible improvisers at their best because of those circumstances.

PW: With all these amazing actors involved, I imagine there were a lot of people who wanted to land your role.
Josh: I was just coming off "21" and it hadn't premiered yet, so it was more of a process, but when I went in for the role, I wanted to make it my own. On the page Matt reads a little bit like Urkel so people were playing him over the top, so I just played him for the subtleties.


PW: Such as?
Josh: Like, what does a socially inept mathlete who loves rock music look like in the real world? I went in to audition wearing an extremely tight button down shirt and put my hair in this crazy little Jew fro. After about 20 minutes I had the role.


PW: You work pretty closely with Rainn, are you a big "Office" fan? Josh: Oh yea. It was unbelievably fun working with Rainn and also exciting because this is his big cinematic moment. I think he's at a point where he wants to make sure "Dwight Schrute" isn't on his tombstone, so there was a lot of weight on him and he just ran with it.
PW: Rainn is naked for a lot of the film, was that a big selling point for you?
Josh: Honestly, it was what kept me up at night hoping I'd get the part (laughs). Look, whether it's Will Ferrell running down the street naked to Chris Farley playing the Chippendale on "SNL," nudity is funny when it's played right.


PW: The movie is about your garage band, A.D.D, making it big. Did you have to learn how to play keyboards for the film?
Josh: Yea, it was absolutely imperative for the audience to believe we were playing these instruments if we were going to sell the movie. When I got the part, it took less than 24 hours to get a phone call telling me where I was going to meet my piano coach.

PW: Was it just, "Here's this key, here's that key?"
Josh: I was whisked away to a deep, dark dungeon of coaches and taught the basic skills to get us through. Then Emma [Stone, who plays Amelia] and I watched a lot of videos to get the flourishes of musicians - what they add once the basic skills are mastered.

PW: A.D.D is mainstream rock, what music do you like?
Josh: Right now I'm listening to Weezer, Coldplay, Arcade Fire, Sam Cook, The Shins and I have the "Once" soundtrack playing on a loop in my iPod - they're unbelievable.


PW: You recently got back from New Orleans where you shot "Mardi Gras." Did you actually film during the festival?
Josh: We did, which I don't recommend. It was like filming in Pearl Harbor during the attack - it was literally the scariest set I have ever been on. I had a panic attack because you were surrounded by thousands of violent, drunken maniacs. It takes a certain level of psychosis to go to a celebration where you're pressed up against the next person avoiding smashing bottles and beads like bullets smacking you in the face.

PW: But was it worth it to get the final product?
Josh: Oh yea, it's got the feel of "Animal House" by way of "Superbad" and "Old School" - I think it's going to be a very funny, raw film.

PW: You mention "Superbad," I'm curious how often people mistake you for Jonah Hill.
Josh: It's interesting. I always say that if I were 90 pounds thinner but had that similar look, the comparisons wouldn't be made so often, but when you're heavier, you fit a certain mold. Not only are you Jonah, but you're Jack Black and Chris Farley.

PW: It could be worse - you could get Rob Schneider.
Josh: (Laughs) I dare you to put that in the story! Look, it's an honor, I think they're all unbelievably talented. For me, it's the age of the unknown character comedic actors. It's a pretty exciting time to be in the industry.

PW: Perhaps it's just your way in to write a comedic "Darjeeling Limited"-style movie for you and Jonah?
Josh: I'll get on it, but I don't know that I would go down the "Darjeeling" route because you and I are the only two people who saw it.

"The Rocker" is now in theaters

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[catlover79]

Thanks, Brian!!!