Mysterio Interviews Will Ferrell about JAY & SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK and Being A Genius!

"If anyone dares me to do anything, I’ll do it in two seconds… if I feel like it."

Slightly of out breath, Will awaits as DP Anderson, VFX Super Grossberg and director Smith check the playback, and decide to have Will make another go at it.

Will is asked to perform the "freefall" several more times before all concerned parties are happy with shot. Finally getting the needed shot, Will is then lowered back on solid ground and the cable and harness rigging removed.

* [ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF YOURS TRULY]

But for Will, physical comedy is what’s most familiar to him, as you’ll discover in the following interview where Ferrell reveals nearly all about his early days in comedy to working on SNL, his thoughts about ‘Austin Powers 3’ and fellow actor, Jason Lee to his working relationship with writer/director Kevin Smith and just exactly how Smith convinced him into coming aboard on the project.

"When did you first become interested in doing comedy?"

I think probably somewhere in second or third grade when I learned how to walk into a door and make it look like I really did. I’d learn how to do a little stage or pratfall and everyone laughed and I was like, "Hmmm… ok maybe there’s something here."

"Where do you find your sense of humor stems from?"

You know, that’s a damn good question because I kind of had a relatively normal upbringing, so there are no real traumas to look back on. No bitter, tortured comedian here. Maybe it’s just that growing up in suburbia, sitting back for no other reason than wanting to analyze things comedically. Maybe it just comes from that general boredom you sometimes get.

It’s funny because my Mom and Dad actually have a very good sense of humor. They weren’t like jokesters or anything, but probably a combination of all those things put together. Also, I wasn’t your typical class clown or anything like that growing up, but if anyone dares me to do anything, I’ll do it in two-seconds… if I feel like it.

It’s obvious you’re no stranger to comedy. What had you considered doing prior to making the decision to pursue comedy full time?"

I was going to be a sportscaster and then I realized I liked sports, but I didn’t like it enough. The thing I liked about it was the performance aspect of being on camera. I then just kind of got into an acting class as a gift, and I took to it and was hooked.

[At this point during the interview outside, a passerby walks by us and recognizes Will.]

PASSERBY: What up Will! What’s goin’ on bro!

WILL: (shouting back) Rock n’ Roll!

(Laughing) So I didn’t really think I was going to get into it, but somehow back-doored into performing anyways.

"Have you ever thought of combining the two elements of comedian and sportscaster, and doing something similar to what Dennis Miller did with Monday Night Football?"

I don’t know. I think that what he’s doing is so impressive in a way. It’s such a hard thing. It’s a blend of knowing when to be funny and also when to show that you know something about the game and knowing when to push between the two. He did a really good job of blending both of them. But yeah, it might be fun and stuff. Bill Murray on occasion would go up in the broadcast booth for the Cubs game, for like three innings and help announce the game.

"Would you dare, say had the chance, do it as Harry Caray?"

No. (laughing) I don’t think I’d venture into those waters! But I would do it in the nude. That would be my guarantee. See that’d be something!

"How did you make the transition of doing performance comedy, like standup, to becoming a comedic actor?"

Well, I didn’t really do that much standup. I tried a little, for like a year and a half and maybe did it thirty times. Then I heard about The Groundlings in Los Angeles and I, all at the same time, took classes there all the while doing standup and taking acting classes. Then the more I got into The Groundlings program, standup kind of fell by the wayside because it’s such a solitary pursuit. It’s really exhilarating when it’s just you and its going great, and it’s like the worst when it’s going bad. Doing sketch and improv with other people is just so much fun. Plus if you fail, at least you’re up there with someone. So I had more training in the sketch world to begin with.

"How does comedy in a film compare to doing it live, in front of an audience, and which do you prefer more?"

Well I’m really still learning about film in some ways because obviously you don’t have that audience right in front of you. Doing comedy on a show like SNL, you get the immediate feedback as to whether or not something’s working or not. So it’s easier in that regard. On film, it’s more like you have to learn to trust your own instincts to hang in there. Films’ are a real tricky thing. I’ve had times when no one’s really laughing, including the crew.

"But you’ve also made the crew laugh out loud many times too."

Yeah, and I’ve seen the opposite too.

"As a performer, who influences you and your work?"

Let’s see… I used to love watching ‘The TONIGHT SHOW’ with Johnny Carson. Anytime there was a comedian, I’d try and watch it. Obviously ‘SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE’ - Dan Aykroyd was my favorite. I like that he was so versatile and yet he could support and could be really funny. He could kind of do anything.

Another person I’m a huge admirer of is Tom Hanks just because he’s the Jimmy Stewart of American cinema right now. Everyone forgets that he started out on ‘BOSOM BUDDIES’. And he’s a good dramatic and comedic actor as well.

It’d be fun to do that kind of transition. Kind of what Jim Carrey’s trying to do. That’d be great if you can make that jump and people allow you too. Phil Hartman too in the same respect as Aykroyd.

"When you worked with Hartman, what was that experience like?"

It was good. A lot of times when a comedy person hosts a show, the cast doesn’t necessarily get to do all the funny parts, but rather the straight parts that a more dramatic guest might do. I don’t remember being in that many sketches with Phil, only a handful, so in a way I kind of feel that I didn’t really do that much stuff with him. But just in terms of watching him work and how funny he was, he was a technician in terms of how he went through a sketch and his blocking. It wasn’t like, "yeah, let’s just wing it" he would really have it down.

"Would you consider yourself to be more the "wing it" kind of guy or more the latter?"

I can kind of be both. I think people can be too "loosey-goosey" with stuff, and then just the opposite. People can be, "Oh my god is this going to work?" And your like, "Who knows? Let’s just go out there and give it a whirl." I’m also a huge fan of Steve Martin and his comedy albums and also Bill Murray.

"How about that Jason Lee guy?"

Jason Lee…? I love a lot of his karate films. I think they’re some off the best out there. Yeah… I think he’s one of the best guys going in martial arts today. I mean what else can you say?

No, but I will have to say, in all seriousness, when you were talking to Jason and you mentioned he cited me as one of his influences, I was like so flattered by that because he’s also extremely funny and such a great actor in stuff I’ve seen. Everything I see him in, he’s always great. So that meant a lot when he said that… if he’s telling the truth. Who knows, he might be lyin’.

"Which SNL character do you enjoy doing the most?"

I would have to say the Harry Caray sketches that we did.

"I know Kevin’s a big fan of that character."

Yeah, and that was one of the things he’d have me do on occasion. David Letterman had me do that too when I went on his show which was a trip. I loved doing that.

I had a great time doing George W. Bush. That’s really been a blast. There’s one sketch though we’ve only been able to do once. I did Neil Diamond on the show – this VH1 Storytellers, and tried to do it a couple of times but I don’t think Lorne Michaels likes it, but I wanna do him more.

What would you consider to be your career highlight today?"

Probably have to say getting to perform on stage and alongside Janet Reno when she appeared on the show. That and having her not, you know, try to tackle me or beat me up or something.

"You think she could?"

Uh no. I still think I could take her. That was quite thrilling actually to have her come up because that show was on the day of the inauguration. She was in Washington and flew out and was totally game for being on the show. She had a great time and was such a great sport.

"She’s obviously got a good sense of humor about her."

Yeah. We got in this nice conversation about how important humor is for the political process and how its important for us in society to feel free that we can poke sun at it and out leaders. So that was really cool.

"Do you see yourself eventually moving from TV into more acting and writing for feature film?"

Well, in a perfect world – yes. The next step for me would to do more features on a full time basis.

"’AUSTIN POWERS 3’ has recently been announced in development and is rumored to be a prequel. Do you know if your character, "Mustaffa" might be returning?"

Yes! Not only will Mustaffa be returning, I’ll give you the scoop – it’s called, ‘MUSTAFFA’S REVENGE’. Austin Powers – he’s barely in the movie. In fact, Austin Powers comes in towards the end.

"Sounds like more of a cameo part for Austin Powers, y’know considering it’s supposed to be an ‘Austin Powers’ movie."

Yeah, it’s more of a cameo, but it’s actually Mustaffa’s movie. It’s Mustaffa and his family and he deals with a lot of issues. It’s very touching at times. You find out that Mustaffa had polio as a boy and his prized pony dies from a train wreck. So there’s a lot of stuff going on.

"Earlier this year, you were honored as ‘Funniest Male Performer In A Television Special’ at the American Comedy Awards, alongside female counterpart Sarah Jessica Parker. You were up against, and beat out some seasoned talent consisting of the likes of Billy Crystal, Gary Shandling and Jon Stewart. Congratulations on that.

Thank You.

"How does that make you feel as a performer to be recognized among your peers?"

It feels great and at the same time it’s new to me. I mean I haven’t really ever been nominated for anything. It’s kind of a new deal. The whole election thing last year really got SNL a lot of attention that it hadn’t been getting before. I think there’s this general recognition that the people in the cast right now are pretty good. This and that really brought it more to the forefront this year. Especially since I read the other people in the categories that I was in as well. There are just a lot of talented people to be on the same page with…

Unless it was a trick. It’s the Comedy Awards; it could just be a booby trap like they force you to show up and then its like ‘CARRIE’ and they drop a bucket of pig’s blood on your head and say, "Ha, ha, ha!!! American Comedy Awards – you suck actually!"

"Ok, let’s talk about ‘JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK. How did you become involved with the project?"

Let’s see… Kevin Smith, the writer slash director slash star of the movie, he wanted me to be in it essentially and I told him, "NO WAY IN HELL! No way. No, no, no!" I screamed at him for like half an hour and then finally -

…You want the truth, right?

"Nothing but."

He pulled a gun on me. Next thing I know I’m doing the movie.

"What were your first impressions upon reading the script?"

I think I had the same reaction as when I got asked to do this – like, "what the hell is goin’ on?!?! This, y’know… no way!" And then, once again, with the gun, he made me read the script while with the gun was pointed at my head.

What can I say? I had to.

"Had you been a fan of Kevin’s previous films?"

You know, I had a limited know… because I’m essentially out of it as a human being in terms of pop culture – especially anything that’s "hip".

I had seen ‘CHASING AMY’ and really liked it and then renting the rest of his films and literally, sitting down one night and watching all of them and obviously became more a tuned to what he does. I mean I had a general sense of Kevin Smith – his type of work, his movies and his style. I absolutely loved ‘DOGMA’. I also saw his progression as a filmmaker too and that was fun to see for me.

I know ‘DOGMA’ got critical acclaim and yet I heard some people say, "oh, it’s not as good as ‘MALLRATS’", but in a way I think its his best movie. So in answer to your original question – yeah, for the most part familiar and then I really wanted to dig my teeth into getting to really know his work and when I did, I was like "Wow!" this would be so much fun to do.

It’s obviously a radical departure from some of the SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE films I’ve gotten to work on, which are pretty much character from the show. You know what you’re gonna get with it – very much in that PG13 realm of "safe family" comedies. I mean we get to do some crazy stuff (on SNL) too, but we’re always dealing with the censors. But to get to work on something like this in which you can just kind of go for it – it’s such a blast. Like a new found adolescence.

"What is the most appealing factor to you in working with Kevin?"

He really gives me the feeling that he trusts me. He knows my performance, but at the same time knows me well enough – has seen enough of what I do – to just give perfect direction in terms of "why don’t you try this?" I like the stuff he just thinks of on the spot too in terms of just little lines we’ll throw in or change – that sort of thing. Plus, he makes a great grilled-cheese sandwich.

[At this point Smith walks by us, within earshot, in mid-interview as Will and I are discussing his direction. Will quickly changes tone.]

WILL: (to Kevin with a slight wave) Hey dude!

[Smith gives us a nod and smile as he continues walking past, leaving Will and I to continue.]

"Describe the character you play, and origin of where your character’s name derives from in ‘J&SBSB?"

Ok, yes. Federal Wildlife Marshal Willenholly. He’s kind of a bumbling, incompetent version of Tommy Lee Jones’s character in ‘THE FUGITIVE’. He wants to have the same respect and tries to conduct himself with the same bravado and as often is the case his information is wrong and no one respects him and he gets a little frustrated. He’s the guy who tried to get into the FBI and couldn’t make it so he became a wild life marshal. That was the second best thing he could think of.

And the name… for all those ‘LAND OF THE LOST’ fans comes from… that’s Sid & Marty Krofft right?

"Yep."

Well, if you remember the theme song… [Will begins to sing aloud the theme] "Marshal Will and Holly -- On a routine expedition…" So it’s the names of the three characters that go down in the raft and end up in ‘THE LAND OF THE LOST’. String it all together and what do you have? Marshal Will-en-holly.

"That’s just one of the many pop culture references to look for in this flick isn’t it?"

Yeah. Another thing I brought up to Kevin, which apparently was not by design, was that the director of the ‘Bluntman and Cronic’ film is named "Chaka", which is yet another reference to the character of "Chaka" from ‘LAND OF THE LOST’ which I want to say was played by Clint Howard, Ron Howard’s baby brother. And then there’s this dinosaur imagery in the film that I can’t talk about.

"Kevin seems to allow you the opportunity to improv, which he’s been know not to do."

Oh really? I didn’t know that.

Do you discuss certain lines and bits you’d like to try beforehand, or do you just surprise him when the cameras roll?"

Um… yes and no. Yeah, we’ve had both kinds of situations. Usually if I have an idea I’ll be like, "hey, what if we changed it up this way?" And he’s be like, "Oh, ok. Let’s try that." And then sometimes I’ll just do it on my own and to be frank, he’s not very happy with it. He’ll banish me for an hour and a half. He’ll put me in a time out. I’ll have to sit in this special solitary confinement box on the set…

"Oh yeah! I’ve seen that box!"

Yeah, yeah... It’s a BIG box. You don’t want to be there at all. It’s very hot in there. They pump in the heat. So I try to pick and choose my spots.

"Would it be fair to say that you and Kevin share the same sense of humor?"

Absolutely. We pretty much see eye to eye in this character. Also, he told me he wrote it with me in mind in terms of my delivery and that sort of thing. It’s material that’s right up my alley, so yeah, we totally share the same sense of humor.

"Working with such a diverse cast and crew, who’s been your favorite to work with so far?"

I would have to say in terms of work, the craft services guys cause they’ve really helped me in perfecting the art of making a turkey sandwich. Before I had some problems, like the bread wasn’t right. They really showed me how to put them together in the right way.

"And finally, how would you describe your experience working alongside such an eclectic ensemble cast such as this?"

It’s been really fun because every day is a new thing. It’s like you’ll work with Mark Hamill one day and Jon Stewart another day. Judd Nelson, Jason Lee, Shannon Elizabeth… it’s been fun and you don’t really settle into a particular groove. It’s just been a fantastic experience all around!

"Here, here!"

-Mysterio

e-mail: Ok you jealous Bastard, think twice before calling me out, I've kicked ass on people half your size!