Ryan Reynolds stars in the psychological, Jason Bournesque action thriller “Self/less” that is literally an out of body experience for his character.
Billionaire industrialist Damian Hale (Ben Kingsley) has long been a master of his universe operating from his New York City base of operations. But a cancer diagnosis causes him to seek out a radical medical procedure called “shedding,” that will transfer his consciousness into the young, healthy body of Ryan Reynolds’ character.
Directed by Tarsem Singh, “Self/less” also boasts the talents of Victor Garber (“Argo”), Matthew Goode (“Belle”), Natalie Martinez (“Broken City”), and Derek Luke (“Antwone Fisher”), who starred with Reynolds in “Definitely, Maybe.”
A man of many talents, Reynolds has donned the magical garb of “The Green Hornet,” garnered laughs in “The Proposal,” starred in “Safe House” with Denzel Washington, “Blade Trinity” with Wesley Snipes, and did a commanding, award worthy, solo performance in “Buried.” During interviews for that film back in 2010, he told me, “I mean a movie like ‘Buried’ is so psychological and so terrifying…when you’re six foot two, that just shouldn’t be done.”
This is 2015 and being in close spaces still vexes Reynolds. “I’ve actually always had an issue with claustrophobia, and elevators have always messed me up, and I don’t know why,” Reynolds related. “So whenever I read a script that involves some aspect of that, I get pretty intrigued. Filming ‘Buried’ was like nothing else. The only way to shoot it was for real, which was a life-altering experience. I had safe words while we were filming, but we shot in Barcelona, and I was the only one who spoke English. I remember yelling out a couple of safe words, and everyone just looked at me like I was demanding lunch (laughs). ”
It was at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City recently that The Film Strip caught up with Reynolds for “Self/less” and asked what stood out most when he read the script? “I love the idea that this character is getting his wish answered, and then suddenly seeing how quickly the consequences of that wish can come about. I also love that this guy’s arrogance and ego pushed him to this, and then it turns to an absolute sh*t show.”
Would you like to live forever?
RYAN REYNOLDS: Living forever seems like a sentence, and I wouldn’t want to do that. But it has become a recurring theme around me lately. I think it’s a wish fulfillment for a lot of people, and ‘Self/less’ tackles the idea in an interesting way.
There’s a real moral argument there, as the story deals with the class system. There’s a guy who uses his money and power to acquire something that no other human being can acquire, and uses it in a way that’s not entirely altruistic. That’s the moral journey that he’s on, which ultimately derails him.
Did you do any research into the science that’s currently being done on how we can switch one person’s neurons to another person’s body?
RR: I did do some research on the topic, and there’s actually some compelling science that suggests that this may be achieved in an insignificant amount of time. I find it disturbing, actually, that we would so abuse this first life and privilege, and be so arrogant to ask for a second one. It raises so many questions. For some people it’s a theological argument, for others it’s a moral issue, and for some people, it just sounds awesome (laughs).
On Twitter you are quoted as saying, “When I think out loud, it sounds nothing like Morgan Freeman. That being said, if you swapped bodies, whom would you want to switch with?
RR: That is a tough one. If I immediately had to choose someone, I would probably want to make it a little funky. I would probably go back and do life differently. I wouldn’t immediately pick Lebron James, as I would probably choose a woman. If I am going to go another round, I may as well, as half the people on the planet are women. I would jump right in the skin of Elizabeth Warren (U.S. Senator for Massachusetts – D) and run for office. It would be pretty cool to see what that’s like.
A portion of the film was shot in New Orleans, where part of the story takes place. What was that experience like?
RR: I thought it was fantastic, because the backdrop has a poetic symmetry. Everything that makes New Orleans so elegant is connected to its age and quality of the buildings. The city is a home away from home for me, because my wife (Blake Lively) and I go there all the time, and we love it. It’s one of the places that we can easily live in.
I understand you’re off to Comic Con for ‘Deadpool.’ What’s after that?
RR: Yes. I’m very lucky to have had a dream come true, as we got the ‘Deadpool’ movie made. We’ve been trying to make the film for 11 years, so it creates a weird existential quandary, as you begin to ask, “What do I do now?” So I really don’t know what I’m going to do next professionally. I tend to make a lot of movies, more than I should, so I think there’s some value of realizing that as I get older. So I think I may be off for a bit, and learn how to play dad.
Click HERE to find a theater showing “Self/less.”
Syndicated Entertainment journalist Marie Moore reports on film and TV from her New York City base. Contact her at [email protected]
We Publish News 24/7. Don’t Miss A Story. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now!
