Val Kilmer talks “MacGruber”

Val Kilmer: It is a ridiculous script and movie, it says so right there “crew ridiculous and very, very funny” it says so.

MakingOf: Are you excited you’re not on the poster?

(VK): Oh, no I’m relieved believe me.

(MO): What’s the biggest difference between acting in an action comedy like this and a plethora of dramatic roles you’ve had?

(VK): Well, it’s always the same really. You have to make up the world, and figure out how to fit and get across what the director’s going for. Jorma liked what I was doing, so it was usually kind of embarrassing because he was brutal to Will over and over and over again just hammering away; pulling teeth, so that was tedious watching that fiasco on the set.

(MO): What’s it like working with a younger director?

(VK): Well, they’re very thorough, they really know what they’re going for; I say “they” because Jorma, theirs several writers and Will was one of them of course, they all worked together on Saturday Night Live, and Kristin’s part of the group. Just coming into it, it was initially a concern that you were going to be treated like you were an outsider, But they’re really just genuine people; loved it. I want to run away with them.

(MO): Any advice you have for an aspiring actor? Somebody who wants to into both drama or comedy?

(VK): Well, it’s harder than you think. On the serious side of watching Kristin, Will, Jorma, or anybody in this movie, the second they say cut you’ll be working, the script or next scene no going back in case there’s a retake and it’s very intense. You get that from the theater, which is my background. The live experience they have with Saturday Night Live teaches you how precious time is, and usually what you find when people end up giving up acting; they weren’t willing to work that hard. It’s a really hard job.

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