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Woody Harrelson
Woody Harrelson on Haymitch and The Hunger Games
Ahead of tomorrow’s release of The Hunger Games here’s another interview with Woody Harrelson, this time courtesy of Metro:
You’re quite the mentor in The Hunger Games. Do you ever feel like one in life?
I think I’ve been an incredible example to my kids of what not to do. And I try not to preach about diet any more. I used to do that because I see so many people eating s***. Now I just let people see my energy and how strong I stay.
It stands to reason a character called Haymitch might have an unruly sort of look. Any inspiration?
My brother. I was thinking about the look of the character and then I ran into him. I have his hair – the colour, the length, everything – and he’s also a little unkempt.
Haymitch is a wild man in other ways. How did you get ready to play him?
I’d like to say I did some vigorous training but I didn’t. However, I did go on an alcohol bender – that helped. Drink bad, eat good! I eat only raw food when I’m working because I need my energy, so there are some areas where I wasn’t being true to character because Haymitch would eat anything.
The film clearly touches on violence. What are your thoughts on that subject?
It’s something I seek to avoid but I like people to be respectful so I’m not afraid to fight.
What does this film say about our society?
I suppose in some ways we haven’t come that far from the gladiator days. I’m an anarchist and I do think things such as Occupy Wall Street are about getting a little closer to the solution. People are a bit more on-point now with what’s going on. But I still don’t like where things are heading or where my tax dollars go.
The Hunger Games might be the next huge franchise and you don’t gravitate towards blockbusters. Are you worried you might end up in something as big as Twilight?
It’s hard to say what the higher-ups are thinking but, for me, I just want this to be a great movie. I can’t think about the next movie or if there’s a movie after that. In fact, in our culture I rarely see sequels that are as good as the originals. I hope this movie’s great. As for the others, I don’t know. But my eldest daughters have read all the books and love them.
[Metro]
Moviefone’s interview with Woody Harrelson
Moviefone interviewed Woody Harrleson (Haymitch) about his look for Haymtich, why he said yes to the role and not giving advice to Jennifer Lawrence or Josh Hutcherson.
So why did you say yes to “Hunger Games?”Well, my initial interest was [director] Gary [Ross]. I really think he’s a tremendous filmmaker. Then I started to become aware that this was a little more of a phenomenon than I realized. I knew people liked the book, but then … Jesus! Ironically, I turned it down at first because I just didn’t feel like there was that much to do. It wasn’t an uninteresting part, I just didn’t see the whole picture. So I turned it down, but I’d already started reading the book and got swept up in it. And Gary calls me and he says, “You gotta do this. I don’t have a second choice.” And I said, “OK. Well, let’s do it then.” I was really happy to do it because what a great experience it was to be hanging out with this cool group of people in North Carolina. Just the level of talent from every department, outstanding. Just makeup alone. Some of the most imaginative stuff I’ve ever seen. Particularly the stuff I saw in the Capitol. I wasn’t there for the stuff they shot in Asheville, the Games themselves.
You play a mentor to these kids. Is that a role you’ve taken on in real life, too, like with younger actors?
Yeah, I think particularly with my kids, for example, I’m a great model of what not to do. So the same is true for other actors. Look at me, do the opposite.You never took Jennifer Lawrence or Josh Hutcherson aside and gave them any career advice?
No, I don’t feel like the kind of guy to tender advice on much of anything. I do sometimes lecture people about what they’re eating, but that’s only if they ask me. So any other subject, I don’t feel much qualified to talk on. Certainly those guys don’t need any help from me about acting or handling their career. That would be the only other thing I could talk to them about. They seem to be doing pretty good.What do you think is the message of the movie?
I think it is about raising people’s political awareness and it definitely has some issues with authority, which has some relevance to our present form of government. Although the one in the movie is a much more extreme form, I think it’s a pretty powerful message. That’s one of the reasons I think it resonates not just with kids, but with everybody.
Read the rest at Moviefone!
Elizabeth Banks has a crush on Woody Harrelson
When Elizabeth Banks (who wore her own version of a girl-on-fire dress by Atelier Versace to The Hunger Games Premier) sat down to talk with Moviefone, she revealed not only that she bleached her eyebrows for the role of Effie, but that she is “enamored” with Woody Harrelson.
It really was so much fun. I’m enamored with Woody Harrelson. And I don’t know how much he committed to it but I committed to creating a lot of story [between Effie and Haymitch] out of nothing, frankly. Because there is nothing going on. We don’t really talk to each other. But I was committed to creating a physical relationship onscreen. We’re always sitting next to each other. It’s like we’re a team, but we hate each other.” Later she added, “Elizabeth Banks has a full-on crush on Woody Harrelson. Effie definitely has a crush on Haymitch, but Haymitch does not like Effie. That’s what I’d say is going on.”
I guess we’ll just have to wait and see if Harrelson returns the love, or keeps mum on the topic. Banks also dished on Effie’s wardrobe – which she sees as “very Christian Dior haute couture from the ’40s” – as well as her inspiration for Effie’s Capitol accent, and her thoughts on Jennifer Lawrence as an actress. Read the entire interview here.
‘Hunger Games’ Red Carpet Premiere Interviews by ‘E! Online’: Part 1
Here are the red carpet interviews from the Hunger Games premiere by E! Online! The interviews are with Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, and Elizabeth Banks.
Jennifer Lawrence:
The actress is stunning in a gold gown and dishes about her coveted role as Katniss Everdeen. Plus, hear why she’s overly-critical of herself on camera.
More…
Woody Harrelson and Lenny Kravitz Talk Time Off from the ‘Hunger Games’ Set
Having heard countless interviews with the “Hunger Games” cast, it’s become increasingly clear just how close-knit everyone on the set of the movie was. They went to dinners, explored the various areas and activities North Carolina had to offer, and performed some very creative and effective pranks on each other. During the wrap party, Jennifer Lawrence expressed this affectionate sentiment for her castmates, admitting, “I know it’s weird, but I love everyone of you guys.’” But as epic as the being on the “Hunger Games” movie set together was, the cast preferred to hang out, of all places, at Lenny Kravtiz’s hotel room.
According to the rockstar, it began with Stanley Tucci’s first night in town. “We had dinner together and we ended up hanging out in my room,” says Kravitz. “From then on it’s funny. We’d work all day and then we’d all end up in my room at night.”
Typical attendees included Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Tucci, Josh Hutcherson, and Gary Ross.
“Just hanging out,” says Kravitz. “I would dj on my iTunes from my computer and we’d listen to music all night and talk about art.”
“That is where it happened,” says Woody Harrelson. “I remember going up there and all of us sitting around talking and Lenny would put on this incredible music. You can just imagine him dj’ing! Then he had these racks of all these different clothes for his stage show, and also I suppose some of them just for him in life, they’re all hung up on roller racks. So we’re all trying on the different jackets and shirts and clothes and taking pictures and laughing. I mean, I’m telling you, this is a great group.”
Sounds like the Kravitz clubhouse was the place to be! Who else wishes they could’ve kicked back at Lenny’s hotel room with the cast?
[Source: EW]
‘AMC’ Video Interviews of the ‘Hunger Games’ Cast!
AMC senior editor John Campea had a great opportunity to interview Jennifer Lawrence, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hensworth! Here are the video interviews for your viewing pleasure!
More…
Woody Harrelson On His Approach to Haymitch’s Alcoholism
Get More: Movie Trailers, Movies Blog
When it comes to the character of Haymitch Abernathy, fans aren’t questioning whether or not he’ll be bizarre enough, or tough enough, or skinny enough, or kind enough. It’s whether or not he’ll be wasted enough!
And while Woody Harrelson was more concerned about Haymitch’s individuality (and rightly so) than how often he hit the bottle, he did give plenty of contemplation as to how he should portray Haymitch’s drinking problem.
“I was a little bit worried about looking kind of phony,” admitted Harrelson.
There is, however, one sure-fire way to ensure your inebriation is as genuine as possible…and that’s to get liquored up on set. But apparently Woody Harrelson has already test-driven that technique, and it ended up being a complete wreck.
“I tried it one time when I was doing ‘Indecent Proposal,’” said the actor. “I had this scene, and I was supposed to be really drunk…and I got smashed! Because I was supposed to be, so I rationalized it. But it wasn’t a pleasant experience.”
Luckily, Gary Ross was able to provide some input as to how far the District 12 boozer should go.
“There was a thing during filming, with me and Gary trying to decide the level of drunkenness in any given scene,” recalled Harrelson. “I was always pushing for more drunkenness, but he didn’t want me to be drunk in every scene. I was always pushing for more, just because I think it’s kind of funny and interesting. But knowing Gary, I think he got the right balance.”
I’m glad Woody and Gary didn’t choose the obvious, or overdone approach to Haymitch getting his drink on. Who would’ve thought drunkenness required so much thought and consideration?
More videos with Woody Harrelson after the break!
[Source:MTV.com]
Video Interview with Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and More
Here’s a new interview with Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson and Liam Hemsworth. They answer some questions from fans, and Elizabeth Banks looks great in her Capitol-worthy dress.
Woody Harrelson Was Slow to Accept Role of Haymitch
Woody Harrelson revealed in a recent interview with Fandango that his first response to being offered the role of Haymitch Abernathy was something along the lines of “I’ll pass.” Say whaaaat?
“Well, I got sent the script—I didn’t really know about the books. I just, you know, was psyched to work with Gary Ross,” says Harrelson. “But then I was like, ‘I don’t know. It doesn’t seem like there’s that much to do.’ And I hesitated and thought about it. And then, you know, I was hearing ‘These are really good books.’ Then I just decided not to do it. And then Gary called me back and said, ‘Well, Woody, you know, I don’t have a second choice on this. You have to do it.’ And I said ‘Well, okay.’ But in the meantime I’d started reading the books and then I just became—I mean, it’s incredible. These are incredible books. It’s such an amazing phenomenon.”
Based on his comment that “it didn’t seem like there’s that much to do,” I would guess one of two things. Either Woody Harrelson wasn’t tempted by a minor role, or we won’t be seeing too much of Haymitch in this first movie.
What do YOU think he meant?
See the rest of Woody Harrelson’s interview in the video above!
Woody Harrelson’s vision for Haymitch
For avid fans of The Hunger Games books, a first look at Woody Harrelson’s depiction of Haymitch Abernathy may seem a little incongruous with the character in Suzanne Collins’ novels. He’s described as a paunchy middle-aged man with short, dark hair – obviously not a spitting image of Harrelson’s overall look for the film. But Harrelson wanted to bring something less than cliche’ to Haymitch’s character.
He’s got a drinking problem and he’s got some issues and he’s damaged, but I didn’t want to do it totally like your typical version of an alcoholic in a movie. So I tried to keep him a little put-together. I dressed him up from what you would expect, too. That was one of my things I wanted – to make him, particularly in the Capitol, a bit of a snazzy dresser — or at least a dresser with his own style.”
He also went on to rave about the sets, wardrobe, and makeup. After seeing only one scene he says the look of the film is great.
I was really impressed by everybody that was associated with it. The look of everything is amazing too. The wardrobe is incredible and the makeup, the [stuff] they came up with is mind-blowing. The imagination behind the hair and the makeup and set decoration, it was just really impressive. It’s the work of brilliant people.”
I know there will be some purists who dislike the creative liberties Harrelson took with the character, but I appreciate his attempt to make Haymitch a touch less stereotyped. I find something more intriguing about about a a drunk who has a problem but shows contrast in trying to be more polished, as opposed to sloppy all around. What are your thoughts on the Haymitch we will see on the big screen?
