"Wonder Boys": Tobey Maguire Interview
By Ellen A.Kim, Hollywood.com Staff
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Thursday, August 02, 2001
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Nov. 10, 2000 -- In January, Tobey Maguire had the honor of presenting a Golden Globe Award to Jack Lemmon for his work in "Inherit the Wind." Backstage, however, it became apparent the roles were reversed.
"I was thrilled. I don't know about the kid, but I was thrilled," Lemmon gushed to reporters of meeting Maguire. "I think he's one of the finest young actors I've ever seen in my life."
Tobey Maguire plays James Leer, a gifted writing student who goes on an adventure with his professor Grady Tripp (Michael Douglas).
Not bad for a 25-year-old who, until a couple years ago, was known mostly as a buddy of Leonardo DiCaprio. And while his pal was swimming in "Titanic's" wake, Maguire was quietly impressing some of the best actors and directors in the business, selecting projects that teamed him with Joan Allen, Michael Caine, Woody Allen, Johnny Depp, Lasse Hallström and Ang Lee, to name a few.
And while he's bound for Leo-size success when he headlines in the widely anticipated "Spider-Man" -- reportedly beating out Freddie Prinze Jr., Wes Bentley and Scott Speedman among others -- Maguire seems content with learning from the best and participating in strong ensembles.
Hollywood.com spoke to Maguire on the second release of his last film, "Wonder Boys," which Paramount admitted it mishandled its marketing the first time around and chose to delay its more profitable video/DVD release. Maguire plays James Leer, a gifted but troubled college student who tags along with his professor (Michael Douglas), an award-winning novelist who is having sophomore-slump issues over his follow-up book. The film also stars Robert Downey Jr., Frances McDormand, Rip Torn and Katie Holmes.
Does it feel weird to be promoting "Wonder Boys" all over again?
Tobey Maguire: It doesn't really feel strange. I'm excited about it. It's a really good film; it deserves as much attention as it can get and I'm proud to be a part of it.
How did you find out Paramount was re-releasing it?
Maguire: I think I got a phone call from somebody telling me they were re-releasing it, and I was thrilled, I was really thrilled. I called [director] Curtis Hanson ... it sends a good message that [Paramount's] getting behind it.
Do you pay much attention to box office?
Maguire: I'm aware of it. I don't [dwell] too much on the results; it's sort of out of my hands. I definitely like when everybody feels good about their investment financially and otherwise creatively, and all their energy. I feel great about it regardless, but the number of people who have already seen the film ... come up to me and tell me how much they love the film, or it's their favorite film of the year. All that kind of stuff ... and that feels really good particularly when someone comes and says this thing in the film made me think about this or that. I really like that kind of stuff. I already feel good about it; I had a great time making it. So this is all fun for me.
People talk a lot about the dynamic between you, Michael Douglas and Robert Downey Jr. What was the chemistry like during filming?
Maguire: I had a blast. Michael Douglas is unbelievable. The guy comes to work and he's full of ideas and he's so prepared as an actor, it's unbelievable. And he has different ways to do a scene; I was in awe every day working with that guy. And he's so relaxed and fun, you know. Robert is just a ball of energy with tons of ideas, like "Let's try a scene this way" and "Let's improv." And he'll throw little things in there and you gotta really be on your toes -- it's a great atmosphere to work in. And everybody else in the cast, and the director, Curtis Hanson.
You've worked with an intimidating list of great actors. Have you been pretty nervous before working with them?
Maguire: I've been pretty fortunate; everybody I've worked with has been pretty ego-free and they're just there to do the work and they're famous because they do good work. And the people I've run into have generally been pretty giving, caring people. It's easy to connect with that. Maybe the first time I met Michael, I was a little nervous about meeting him.