I know I have tons of stuff to post related to “Wanderlust” promotion including some recent appearances on talk shows but I’ve been rather busy lately.
Until I find some time for these I have a small something. Terry Richardson posted at his blog some new b/w outtakes with Paul. You can find them in our gallery plus a picture of Terry Richardson GQ photoshoot back in 2010:
- [x006] Photoshoots in 2012 - Session 002
- [x001] Photoshoots in 2010 - Session 002: GQ
posted by hightimes.com on March 4th, 2012
Paul Rudd explains how he’s prepared himself to play so many stoners on the silver screen, including a new herb-fueled role opposite Jennifer Aniston in Wanderlust.
By David Bienenstock
Since his breakout performance as young, idealistic pre-law student Josh Lucas in 1995’s Clueless, Paul Rudd has played a super-stony surf instructor (Forgetting Sarah Marshall), a cigar- chomping drug kingpin (Reno 911), a ganja-toking sidekick (multiple films), a naïve pot prisoner (Our Idiot Brother), a washed-up rock star (Veronica Mars), an uptight businessman (Dinner for Schmucks), Phoebe’s husband (Friends) and the coolest kid at summer camp (Wet Hot American Summer) - all with an affable “low-frequency” charm that’s won him fans among the bros and their better halves.
Perhaps most memorable to HIGH TIMES readers have been his multiple collaborations with the “Frat Pack,” a loose-knit group of writers and performers best known for their work on Judd Apatow films like Knocked Up and The 40-Year-Old Virgin - both of which featured Rudd to great acclaim. And now he can be found starring opposite Jennifer Aniston in Wanderlust, a new film about a close-knit cannabis couple who decide to ditch their conventional lifestyle in favor of a move toward the counterculture.
We caught up with Rudd during some rare downtime to discuss his own favorite stoner movies, the occasional need to stay clearheaded, and the hardest (maybe) he ever laughed while getting stoned.
In last year’s Our Idiot Brother, you played Ned, a wonderfully likable guy who goes to jail for selling pot to a cop and then keeps smoking weed even after he gets out. Was there an element of Method acting involved in portraying such an obvious cannabis enthusiast?
Honestly, one of the things we didn’t want to focus on in that film was the whole weed angle of it, because that’s not really what the story is about. We didn’t want to turn Ned into a caricature - but at the same time, you’re supposed to say, “Yeah, that guy totally smokes pot.”
Now, if you’re asking me if I did any Method acting, I will say that in several different incarnations, I’ve tried to prepare for this role for many years. That’s the answer you’re looking for, I believe [laughs].
As long as you’re prepared. Meanwhile, what can you say about a society that takes a guy like Ned and locks him up behind bars?
My own personal view on that is that it’s totally ridiculous.
So we can put you down for legalizing marijuana?
One thousand percent!
As a New Yorker, have you been following the recent progress in passing a medical marijuana law in the state? Gov. Andrew Cuomo was previously opposed, but now says he’s reconsidering that position.
If that bill were to be presented on a ballot so the citizens of New York could vote for it, all I can say is that I hope my glaucoma allows me to see the part of the punch card that says ‘Yes.’
So do you have any favorite stoner comedies?
It’s weird - they fall into different categories. You take something like The Big Lebowski, and it’s just incredible…I also remember as a kid, when we first got HBO and Cheech & Chong’s Up in Smoke came on - I was psyched because I got to watch an R-rated movie. My dad was a history fanatic, to the point where the only things that had ever been on TV in my house were either a documentary about the Holocaust or some nature show; it was always these documentaries, usually in black-and-white. And then I remember vividly watching Up in Smoke, and my father was just crack ing up - and I just thought that was hilarious. I’m pretty sure that’s the first time I saw any kind of stoner comedy…
But my favorite stoner comedies aren’t even what you’d call “stoner comedies.” They’re usually just some horrible comedies, terrible movies - or, better yet, YouTube clips.
You’ll have to send me some links. In the meantime, you’ve been in a lot of movies that have portrayed marijuana use…
Well, that’s bound to happen when you work with Seth Rogen.
That gets to my question: Among that whole crew of people who work together regularly - which you’re certainly a part of - is there a kind of stoner mentality that you think makes those films work?
Well, I know with Seth, who I’ve worked with several times, he’s very vocal about the fact that he smokes pot - and there’s an ease, kind of a mellow vibration, that gets kicked out. I think that’s apparent in a lot of the characters that are in those films, and it makes for good reference points and jokes and stuff like that. Plus, if you’ve got a bunch of guys living together in a house and you see them casually passing a bong around, a lot of the people who are watching the movie will think: “Yeah, that’s not so unlike me and my friends.”
Plus we’re all kind of pudgy, so it looks like we’ve been snacking. The craft service [catered food] table on these films is always crowded.
As a writer or actor, have you ever used marijuana as part of your own creative process?
Mine? Actually, no - if I’m working or writing, I need to stay clearheaded. I just don’t have that kind of capability.
You have a new film coming out, called Wanderlust, that sounds like it also might be of interest to our readers. How was that experience?
It was great. Wanderlust is about this couple that get priced out of New York City and have to look for a new place to live. They stop at a bed and breakfast that’s run by a commune and have an amazing night. Eventually, they decide to change the way they live their lives because they were so affected by these insane, amazing people. So it’s about this couple deciding to just move into the commune, and all the craziness - good and bad - that comes about because of that decision.
Wanderlust was directed by David Wain, and I think part of the idea for the film goes back to how he and I always talked about how great it would be if we could do another movie where everyone was hanging out together in nature, to try to recapture some of the feeling we had when we were filming Wet Hot American Summer. That was certainly part of the impetus for this new movie - along with the fact that the subject matter is just a great story waiting to happen.
Last question: Do you have a favorite strain or variety of marijuana, or do you remember the best joint you ever smoked?
God…umm…I don’t really know…
Okay, how about the best laugh you ever had?
I can’t say for sure - but I know that a really good one involved watching South Park in German with Seth Rogen.
posted by flicksandbits.com on February 19th, 2012
Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston star in ‘Wanderlust,’ a raucous comedy from director David Wain (Role Models, Wet Hot American Summer) and producer Judd Apatow (Knocked Up) about a couple who leaves the pressures of the big city and joins a freewheeling community where the only rule is to be yourself. George (Paul Rudd) and Linda (Jennifer Aniston) are an overextended, stressed out couple. After George is downsized out of his job, they find themselves with only one option: to move in with George’s awful brother in Atlanta. On the way there, George and Linda stumble upon Elysium, an idyllic community populated by colourful characters who embrace a different way of looking at things. ‘Wanderlust’ stars Paul Rudd, Jennifer Aniston, Justin Theroux, Malin Akerman, Kathryn Hahn, Lauren Ambrose, Ken Marino, Joe Lo Truglio, Kerri Kenney-Silver, and Alan Alda. The film is set for release February 24th in the US, and March 2nd in the UK.
You’ve starred in all of David Wain’s films. What keeps that actor-director relationship going?
Paul Rudd: For me, I’m a huge David Wain fan. And he’s one of my best friends now, he just makes me laugh continually, much to the annoyance of his wife actually. She’s like, “Don’t encourage him,” when we have dinner and stuff (laughs). I just think he’s got a very specific sensibility that is unlike anybody’s I’ve ever met. I happen to think that he’s a really talented filmmaker.
You can definitely tell ‘Wanderlust’ is a David Wain film….
Paul Rudd: Yeah, I think that anybone who’s familiar with David Wain’s sensibility, and some of the stuff he’s made in the past, from ‘Wet Hot American Summer,’ or ‘Stella,’ they know that he has a very specific take on things. ‘Wanderlust’ is a movie that I think also falls into that category, yet it was expanded into something that could actually have some sort of commercial appeal (laughs). ‘Wanderlust’ can be fairly extreme and irreverent. It’s just a crazy crazy story that is hopefully the perfect match of distinct comedy, and an accessible story.
Given your history with David, do you go into the movie knowing that you have that freedom?
Paul Rudd: Oh yeah. We’ve worked together enough that we’re kind of like, “Oh, lets try this and this.” We can share a brain a little bit, but that style actually is more Judd Apatow than David Wain. The first time I worked with David was on ‘Wet Hot American Summer.’ A lot of people have asked us, “God, you guys must’ve improvised a tonne,” and actually we really didn’t. Most of that was written. I think David’s history and the way he’s always worked has actually been to write a pretty tight script. Judd writes a script and it’s tight and it focuses on jokes, but he loves to just keep cameras going and see what happens, yell out direction while we’re filming – yell out a line here and there. He kind of shapes it and directs it as it’s going on and conducts it like an orchestra. I’ve noticed with David, and I’ve noticed this with other directors that I’ve worked with more than once, that that way of working seems to be becoming a little bit more mainstream, a little bit more of the norm. It’s kind of the way that I have now started to work on these things. So, that I would say is actually more of a Judd influence than anything else.
You get to work on this ensemble movie, in a small town, with actors you’ve worked with before, a director you’re close friends with, and then characters that have many sides and quirks to them. I can imagine that being a lot of fun.
Paul Rudd: Definitely (laughs). There seemed to be lots of mood swings, a lot of these characters have crazy mood swings (laughs). That’s really fun because someone like Joe Lo Truglio, or Kathryn Hahn, these people I’ve worked with many times, they’re all people that are so good. And you never know what they’re going to do, they give so much to these characters.
The camaraderie was truly genuine. There’s something about being sequestered in a small town in Georgia. We felt it going in, “Maybe this could be like a bonding experience?” Because we knew we were all going to hang out together. And also a lot of us were friends to begin with, and like you said I’d worked with a load of them before. Then people I’d never met before, like Jordan Peele, I certainly thought he was hilarious before I met him, I was a fan his. It was great to get to know him, get to hang out with him, just sit around and laugh at all the things he says. Also, Lauren Ambrose, she’s so funny. Lauren is so good, she has real acting chops, she’s an amazing actress, she played that role so….she has a sort of authorial quality to her, this soft spoken, nymph, sprightly, sort of angel. And then she starts these guttural moans and these wild things, it’s great, so weird (laughs). Then of course Jennifer Aniston, she was a riot, Jennifer’s really cool.
And then you’ve also got Alan Alda on-board in ‘Wanderlust’ ….
Paul Rudd: I think you’ll be pretty hard pressed to find somebody who doesn’t love Alan Alda. In fact, when ‘Wanderlust’ was coming about and Alan signed on to do it, we were all over the moon. I couldn’t believe he said yes. And then when we’d tell people, “Yeah, Alan Alda’s in the movie.” Everyone would reply, “Oh god, I love Alan Alda!” He’s just universally loved. I also think he adds that air of authenticity to our movie, because he’s really the only one who you haven’t seen make boner jokes (laughs).
With the current financial issues much of the world is facing, Linda and George’s situation is pretty relatable at this moment in time, unfortunately?
Paul Rudd: Yeah, they’re financially strapped, they’re hanging by a thread. They have to figure out how to refigure and redefine how they want to live their lives. I think, certainly in this moment in history, it’s a pretty relatable scenario, unfortunately. I think that aspect is hopefully intriguing to people because Linda and George find this amazing place. We reconnect with what is important in our lives, important in our relationship, and decide that maybe we can figure out a new way of living. I think that’s an interesting question for a lot of people to ask.
Here are some highlights of the Q&A:
Why are men so obsessed with boobs?
“It’s a good question, and I’m sure there’s some kind of biological explanation, such as sustenance and when we were babies … breast milk kept us alive. There’s also the thing of, we don’t have them. So they’re just interesting. Maybe it’s a combination of those two [reasons]. And then a third, maybe, just because they’re awesome.”
On when boys turn into men
“This is a loaded question. And I don’t think an easily answered one. I don’t think there actually is an age. I think that you’d find that there are many men who you would consider men, who actually are still boys. There’s no line of demarcation. And every person is different. We don’t have any kind of ritual that turns a boy into a man, like they do in some other cultures. And bar mitzvahs don’t count.”
On whether girls and guys can really be “just friends”
I do. I really do. Seems like though, that kind of happens later in life. But I had friends when I was in grade school and junior high and they were girls. Yeah, I think you can.
On how to steal a man who is already attached
Well this is tough, it’s always tough. But I don’t think you should do anything rash … Just be nice. Be his friend … Don’t mess with something so that it could come back to you.
On matching underwear being a necessity
I always wear it. Not always. I sometimes wear it.
Paul Rudd was in Clueless, 200 Cigarettes, Role Models, Wet Hot American Summer, Our Idiot Brother, and more of your favorite movies. He’s on Parks and Recreation this season, and he’s about to be in the adaptation of The Perks of Being a Wallflower. But without a doubt the pinnacle of his career, and his personal life, was recording this advice for you, Rookie readers.
- [x127] Captures in 2012 - Rookie Magazine’s Ask a Grown Man
I updated the gallery with lots of Paul photos during various events the past weeks. I still have tons of stuff to add related to “Wanderlust” promotion so check back every once in a while for little extras.
- [x033] Appearances in 2012 - February 22nd: Arrives to Late Show with David Letterman
- [x012] Appearances in 2012 - February 22nd: Film Society Of Lincoln Center Screening Of “Wanderlust”
- [x010] Appearances in 2012 - February 22nd: Late Show With David Letterman
- [x011] Appearances in 2012 - February 23rd: Arriving at Good Morning America Studios
- [x007] Appearances in 2012 - February 24th: Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
- [x002] Appearances in 2012 - February 24th: Leaving Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Studios
- [x007] Appearances in 2012 - March 1st: DayBreak
- [x003] Appearances in 2012 - March 3rd: Saturday Night Live After-Party
- [x005] Appearances in 2012 - March 4th: Amnesty International’s Secret Policeman’s Ball
- [x036] Appearances in 2012 - March 5th: Cosmopolitan Fun Fearless Men And Women Of 2012
- [x003] Appearances in 2012 - March 5th: The Cinema Society and People StyleWatch Host A Screening Of “Friends With Kids” - After Party
Thanks to my friend Kelly we have a scan of last week’s Entertainment Weekly issue which had a review on “Wanderlust”. You can read it in our gallery:
- [x001] Scans in 2012 - March 2nd: Entertainment Weekly
I added in the gallery the first still of “This is 40” that surfaced recently. I really can’t wait for more!
- [x001] Movies: This is 40 - Production Stills
Paul Rudd & Jennifer Aniston Get ‘Wanderlust’
Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston talk with Access correspondent Tim Vincent about their good working relationship over the years. Also, the duo tells Tim about the naughty scenes that were cut out from their new comedy, “Wanderlust.”
CREDITS TO http://www.accesshollywood.com
- [x222] Movies: Wanderlust - Access Hollywood
- [Video] Movies: Wanderlust - Jennifer Aniston Talks Potty Training Her New Puppy
“Extra’s” Renee Bargh sat down with “Wanderlust” stars Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux to talk about their new comedy. Aniston also revealed her biggest food weakness.
- [x201] Movies: Wanderlust - Extra
WANDERLUST- Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston Raw Interview - Screenslam.com
CREDITS TO http://www.screenslam.com
- [x120] Movies: Wanderlust - ScreenSlam
