HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Aug. 25, 2000 — “Swingers” star Jon Favreau should be insulted. When the director of his latest film, “Love & Sex,” hired him, she said Favreau was perfect because he is “not the quintessentially good-looking guy.”
“Sometimes you get descriptions in parts sent to you and can’t believe that’s who you’re supposed to play. I’ve seen everything from ‘dashingly good-looking guy’ to ‘ugly.’ If you start to rely on how you’re perceived, you’ll never want to work or leave your house,” the actor admits. “It’s a depressing thing, really, if you let it get to you. On the other hand, you can see any role as an opportunity to bring whatever you can to the screen.”
Only in vain Hollywood would Favreau be considered anything but handsome. Still, he was paired up with “X-Men” beauty Famke Janssen for the steamy romantic comedy, “Love & Sex.”
“She was actually reading the script of “X-Men” when we were working together,” shares Favreau. “She said, ‘Should I do this?’ And there’s me, being a long time comic book geek. I’m like, are you kidding? It’s the X-Men!” The pair not only had sensational chemistry on camera, they hit it off so well that Favreau cast his comely co-star for his next film (and directorial debut), “Made.”
The talented actor/filmmaker gives Hollywood.com a preview: “‘Made’ is a comedy, sort of in the spirit of “Swingers,” though it’s not quite as bubbly. I was younger when I wrote that one. This is more of a mob-type comedy. Vince Vaughn and I are working together for the first time since “Swingers.” We’re these boxers who aren’t very good and decide to work their way into organized crime. Puffy Combs is in it; Peter Falk is in it; Vinny Pastore, Faizon Love and, of coarse, Femke. It’s my first time directing. It’s going to be a lot of fun”
Favreau is also having fun on his own website, GettingItMade.com, giving the public a unique opportunity to get into the head of a filmmaker.
Jon Favreau can be seen in “Replacements” and “Love & Sex,” both currently in theaters. “Made” punches its way onto screens in 2001.
