subject: Todd Phillips Interview For Due Date – Starring Robert Downey Jr, Zach Galifianakis & Jamie Foxx [print this page] Todd Phillips Interview For Due Date Starring Robert Downey Jr, Zach Galifianakis & Jamie Foxx
I recently caught up with director Todd Phillips to talk about his latest comedy flick "Due Date", which stars the likes of Robert Downey Jr, Zach Galifianakis and Jamie Foxx. Phillips is probably best know to people as the director of The Hangover, Old School and Road Trip.
How was it casting the film? Were Robert and Zach the first two names that came into your head?
Todd Phillips: Yeah they were, I'd been working on The Hangover with Zach and I wanted us to do something else together, I wanted to work with him again. And as far as the other role goes we just decided to aim high, so we went to the top, we went to Robert and we were hoping he would do it. I thought quite honestly it was a bit of a long shot to get him, I knew he was busy, but he responded to it and that's how it started.
What is it about road trips that appeal to you? You seem to like to use them as a plot device.
Todd Phillips: To me it's not so much the guys being on the road, it's not the road that appeals to me. But it's that you can take your characters and put them out there without a safety net, without their family and friends and comforts. So when you take characters and you put them on the road they're flying without a net, I think that's partly why even actors kind of like these roles. You're out there on your own.
How improvisational does it get on set? Do you stick to the script or do you let the guys just go for it?
Todd Phillips: It's not that we improvise as we are making it, but we do improvise in the morning. We take the script apart and rebuild it and figure stuff out. So it's not so much that we are improvising as the cameras are rolling and they're making stuff up, although there is that too, but I think there is a little bit of method to the madness, it's about all three of us taking it apart in the morning and figuring out what we are going to do that day.
What was the appeal of working with Robert Downey Jr for you?
Todd Phillips: I think Robert can do anything, honestly. It's funny because people ask him what do you prefer, comedy or drama? I really think Robert is one of those guys who can do anything. He's challenging but it's always for the right reasons, he pushes you to be a better director and he pushed Zach to be better at what Zach was doing. I really do honestly think that's one of his greatest strengths.
And Zach?
Todd Phillips: Like most great comic actors he's fearless. I that is the best attribute you can have as a comedy actor or even an actor general! He will try anything and will go anywhere for a laugh or joke. As a director that's the best thing you can look for.
