Latest news with #ArrestedDevelopment
Metro
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Michael Cera reveals relatable reason he 'turned down' Harry Potter role
Michael Cera has revealed that he once 'turned down' an opportunity to star in the Harry Potter franchise. The actor began his career as a child in the 90s, before shooting to fame thanks to his role as George Michael Bluth in Arrested Development. He went on to star in a string of movies including Barbie, Superbad, Juno, Nick and Norah's infinite Playlist, Scott Pilgrim vs the World. During an appearance on the latest episode of the Louis Theroux podcast, the 37-year-old unpacked his career and shed light on why he feared becoming 'too famous'. When asked if he would ever consider a role in Mission: Impossible, having worked with Tom Cruise in the past on the MTV Movie Awards, the dad-of-two touched on why he hasn't appeared in a franchise just yet. 'Well, I don't think I have a franchise resistance,' he clarified to the host. 'I think I know what you're referring to. I turned one down. 'It was a Harry Potter one. The Harry Fantastic Beasts. I don't even know if I was offered, I think I just declined to engage with it because, I think it would be like probably six years commitment or something. 'Also, we were talking about it earlier, I did make a conscientious choice to limit my exposure a little bit, or just try and be a little more in control of it. Doing especially little kids movies. 'I had a big fear of doing things that would get me too famous. I think that's changed a little. I think I've outgrown that particular feeling, but I think that's what that was at that time.' He didn't name the part that he turned down, but the prequel spin-off series spawned three films – 2016 offering Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, the Crimes of Grindelwald in 2018 and 2022's The Secrets of Dumbledore. Eddie Redmayne led the way in the three movies, starring opposite Jon Voight, Jude Law, Colin Farrell, Johnny Depp, Mads Mikkelsen and Zoe Kravitz along the way. Despite growing up in the spotlight, Michael has taken steps to keep his private life firmly behind closed doors in recent years. He has kept quiet about his wife Nadine and their growing family, with Amy Schumer revealing that the pair had welcomed their first child in 2022 – six months after the little one's arrival. Last year, he confirmed that he had become a father for the second time, while appearing on The Tonight show with Jimmy Fallon. More Trending Discussing how fatherhood had changed his priorities, he previously told the Hollywood Reporter: 'I think the only thing that it affects is that you just want to spend as much time with them as possible. 'So when I was 20, I would have been way happier to go off to some weird city and live in a hotel for three months. And when you have kids, you want to be with your family. And you miss them a lot.' The Louis Theroux Podcast is available on Spotify and all podcast platforms. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Diddy's explicit 'freak-off' text messages revealed in court for first time MORE: Brad Pitt says he's 'missed the window' to have a gay experience MORE: Kate Moss' daughter Lila, 22, proudly frees the nipple in sheer Paris Fashion Week look
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Michael Cera Recalls Getting Schooled By Tom Cruise During Their First Meeting
may be one of Hollywood's most unassuming stars, but even he couldn't avoid a classic moment during their very first meeting. During an appearance on "The Louis Theroux Podcast," the "Arrested Development" alum revealed that he was scolded by the "Mission: Impossible" star while working together on a sketch for the MTV Movie Awards. The project featured Tom Cruise reprising his outrageous "Tropic Thunder" character, Les Grossman, in a series of pre-taped segments. "It was surreal to work with Tom Cruise," Cera said. "It was fascinating. Tom runs the set. I was there for like five minutes, but what I observed was, he was like the first AD on the set. He was such a leader." But things got off to an unexpected start when Michael Cera chatted with a writer during filming, something Cruise didn't take lightly. "They were in the middle of a take, and I was talking to the writer, just kind of mumbling. Tom Cruise looks at me, I've never met him before, and he goes, 'Is that Michael Cera talking during a f-cking take?'" Cera recalled. While the comment came across as intense, Cera insists Cruise was mostly joking… kind of. "I think he was joking. But it was also like, do shut up, you know?" he laughed. "I was like, 'Hey man, it wasn't me, it was the writer.' He said, 'I'm kidding, I'm kidding.'" Cera, ever the good sport, chalked it up to a surreal Hollywood moment with a superstar known for his commanding on-set presence. "It's surreal to meet Tom Cruise," he added. "He was very friendly." The actor's recollection came as part of a larger conversation about Scientology, though Cera was quick to clarify that he's had no personal exposure to the belief system. "I'm sure I will be treated to some after this discussion," he joked. Theroux reassured him, saying he hadn't said anything offensive. "Oh, I'm not picking a fight," Cera laughed. In the same interview, Michael Cera also dropped a bombshell of his own, he once walked away from a potential role in the "Harry Potter" spinoff franchise "Fantastic Beasts" out of fear that it would make him too famous. "I don't even know if I was offered, I think I just declined to engage with it because I think it would be like probably a six-year commitment or something," Cera admitted. "But also, I did sort of make a conscientious choice to limit my exposure a little bit, or just try and be a little more in control of it." He explained that the tone of the films especially influenced his decision. "I had a big fear of doing things that I would get too famous," he said, noting that children's movies especially posed that risk. The "Fantastic Beasts" films, prequels to the "Harry Potter" saga, follow magical creature expert Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) as he's drawn into a battle against dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald. Though author J.K. Rowling initially envisioned five installments, the future of the franchise remains unclear. These days, however, Michael Cera is more open to the idea of joining a big franchise. "I think I've outgrown that particular feeling," he said. "But if a franchise came along now and seemed interesting, I don't think on the grounds of it being a franchise I would storm out of the office or anything." Following Michael Cera's retelling, fans took to social media to share their thoughts, and, unsurprisingly, opinions were mixed. "I've heard nothing but good things about Tom Cruise. Have a few friends that met him and they said he was so nice and kind. Sad that he's in a cult," one user wrote. Another wasn't quite so charitable toward Cera, "Cera is a triple Z-list no-talent actor at best." Meanwhile, some defended Cruise's reaction, noting the moment may have fit his character: "Yelling at Cera while playing the obnoxious Les Grossman sounds on point." Still, others aimed at Cruise's polarizing reputation, "Probably the single most dislikable person on the planet... and it's not even close," one commenter wrote. Another added, "Michael, you will find cult members are like that. It is the delusion they carry." Though the moment with Cruise was brief, it clearly left a lasting impression on the "Superbad" star, along with a pretty great Hollywood story to tell.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Michael Cera Claims Tom Cruise Publicly Called Him Out for Talking on Set ‘40 Feet Away' From Him
Michael Cera admitted he was once playfully told off by Tom Cruise during a Tuesday, June 24, installment of the Louis Theroux Podcast. Surprisingly, the Arrested Development alum, 37, initially forgot they'd even collaborated together. 'I haven't worked with Tom Cruise,' he said, before correcting himself to add, 'Oh, yes. I have. Crazy thing to forget.' Cera revealed that he was called out by the Top Gun actor, 62, while talking with a writer on set during the filming of a 2010 MTV Movie Awards clip. 'We were just kind of mumbling while they were shooting, but they could hear us,' he explained. 'It was just, like, 40 feet away.' According to Cera, Cruise suddenly said, 'Is that Michael Cera talking during a f**king take?'' Later, the American Made actor made a similar quip to him, but quickly told him that he was just 'kidding.' Despite calling Cruise 'very friendly' otherwise, Cera said it was still obvious the Hollywood legend had been asking him to 'shut up' at the time. Cera went on to describe Cruise as 'such a leader' throughout filming. 'I was there for, like, five minutes,' the Juno star recalled. 'But what I observed was, he was like the first [assistant director] on the set.' This isn't the first time that colleagues have recalled Cruise's intense leadership style. After audio was leaked of Cruise yelling at crew members for allegedly breaking COVID-19 pandemic rules on the set of Mission: Impossible 7, an industry insider told People that the actor 'is a perfectionist' and that he 'wants others to follow suit.' 'Tom's whole life is his work,' the insider continued. 'When he sees something less than professional, he wants to make it right.' New Girl alum Jake Johnson also once told a story about when the Cruise asked him to join him for a workout at his personal gym while preparing to film 2017's The Mummy together. As Johnson arrived, he was turned away by a member of production who told him not to bother Cruise. 'Let me make something crystal clear: I don't care what anybody on the crew says to you, they don't know what I'm saying to you,' Johnson remembered Cruise telling him at the time, according to Vulture. 'And I'm saying to you that you are always welcome. I don't care what I'm doing in there. You're not other. You're my castmate. Come in.'
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Michael Cera reveals why he turned down J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter spinoff Fantastic Beasts
Michael Cera has been carefully curating his career since he made a name for himself in hits such as 2007's Juno and Super Bad. The Arrested Development actor, 37, has revealed he once turned down a chance to be part of J. K. Rowling 's Harry Potter franchise. The decision to reject the offer wasn't due to the author's stance of transgender rights, which has resulted in many members of the Harry Potter cast distancing themselves from her, including stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint. In an appearance on The Louis Theroux Podcast, released on Tuesday, Cera explained why he turned down the chance of a lifetime.. 'The Harry Fantastic Beasts. I don't even know if I was offered, I think I just declined to engage with it because, I think it would be like probably six years commitment or something.' Besides the time it would require to be part of such a large enterprise, there was something else holding the director and producer back. 'I did sort of, make a conscientious choice to limit my exposure a little bit, or just try and be a little more in control of it.' he said of his reasoning. Michael Cera, 37, has made a name for himself making a series of smaller, quirkier films, but the actor now says he's more comfortable taking on bigger projects with bigger names; Pictured in New York City in May 'Doing like, especially little kids movies. I had a big fear of doing things that would get me too famous,' he said. That doesn't seem to be as big a concern for The Barbie actor any more. 'I think that's changed a little. I think I've outgrown that particular feeling, but I think that's what that was at that time.' Cera can currently be seen in Wes Anderson's quirky The Phoenician Scheme along some of Hollywood's most celebrated names including Willem Dafoe, Benicio Del Toro and Tom Hanks, Scarlett Johansson and Benedict Cumberbatch. 'I grew up watching his[ Anderson's] movies and worshiping him and all of my friends, all of my peers, we were all like, he's the guy.' Cera credits the writer-director for having a big influence 'on my general sense of taste and humor and aspirations as a performer. So, I think if I fit in his thing, it's because I've grown up on him.' The actor, got his start at 14 on the Emmy winning Arrested Development. One of his co-stars, Will Arnett would often complement him. 'Will would say to me a lot, "you're really funny." That was enormous to my self-worth and just self-confidence. Because he's the funniest person I've ever seen. 'I did sort of, make a conscientious choice to limit my exposure a little bit, or just try and be a little more in control of it,' he said on The Louis Theroux Podcast episode release Tuesday; Pictured in New York City in June 2023 That doesn't seem to be as big a concern for The Barbie actor any more. 'I think that's changed a little. I think I've outgrown that particular feeling, but I think that's what that was at that time' The very private actor has been married to his wife Nadine, for an undisclosed amount of time. The Life & Beth actor shared how they met at a bar in Paris on pal Justin Long's Life Is Short podcas t in 2022.' 'There was no shyness, we just kept seeing each other and smiling. It was so comfortable,' the Sacramento star revealed. 'It was a really unfamiliar way to experience a stranger, and I felt like I saw the whole thing.' The couple are parents to two young children. The oldest was born in the fall of 2021 and the younger in early 2024.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Michael Cera reveals he was told off by Tom Cruise the first time they met as he shares why the actor scolded him
Michael Cera has revealed he was told off by Tom Cruise during their first meeting when they worked together at the MTV Movie Awards. The actor, 37, shared his experience with working with the Hollywood icon, 62, during an appearance on Louis Theroux's eponymous podcast. Michael claims he was scolded by the star for talking while he shot a scene, revealing that Tom shouted: 'Is that Michael Cera talking during a f*****g take?' The Arrested Development star revealed that Tom is very much a leader and 'runs the set' and described the whole experience as 'surreal'. While Michael insisted that the whole exchange was in jest he did admit that Tom definitely did want him to 'shut up' during the take. Discussing the meeting while on the topic of Scientology, Michael was asked if he has had any exposure to the belief system. He told Louis: 'No. I'm sure I will be treated to some after this discussion. Louis replied: 'I don't think you've said anything', and Michael joked: 'Oh, I'm not picking a fight.' When asked if he had worked with famous scientologist Tom Cruise, Michael said: 'I haven't worked with Tom Cruise…. oh yes. I have. Crazy thing to forget.' Louis said: 'I love that. I dream of the day when I forget working with Tom Cruise.' Michael: 'I did work with Tom Cruise, it was the MTV Movie Awards. I don't even know if you ever have seen those. They did funny intro movie video, things, pre-taped funny things. 'And Tom Cruise did one where he was playing his character from Tropic Thunder [Les Grossman]. So they were shooting all day, these little clips of him and that character interacting with various people coming in and out. And I came in and I did a little moment with him. 'It was surreal to work with Tom Cruise. It was fascinating. Tom runs the set. I was there for like five minutes, but what I observed was, he was like the first AD on the set. I don't know if that term means anything. I mean, he was such a leader. 'It's surreal to meet Tom Cruise. He was very friendly. 'The first moment I had with him, I arrived, they were shooting and I was talking to the writer, the guy who was writing these scripts. We were just kind of mumbling while they were shooting, but they could hear us. It was just like 40 feet away. 'And Tom Cruise looks at me, I've never met him. And they're in the middle of a take and he looks, and he goes, and 'is that Michael Cera talking during a f*****g take?' I think he was joking. 'But it was also like, do shut up, you know? But so surreal. Then I met him, he is like 'talking during a fucking take' I knew he was playing around, so I was like, 'hey man, it wasn't me, it was the writer'. He was like, 'I'm kidding, I'm kidding'. Elsewhere during the chat, Michael, whose latest film appearance is in Wes Anderson's The Phoenician Scheme, spoke about resisting franchises. Michael spoke about the reason for turning down the opportunity to appear in a globally recognised series of films because of his fears of over exposure. He said: 'It was a Harry Potter one. The Harry Fantastic Beasts. I don't even know if I was offered, I think I just declined to engage with it because, I think it would be like probably six years commitment or something. 'Also, we were talking about it earlier, I did sort of, make a conscientious choice to limit my exposure a little bit, or just try and be a little more in control of it. Doing like, especially little kids movies. 'I had a big fear of doing things that would get me too famous. I think that's changed a little. I think I've outgrown that particular feeling, but I think that's what that was at that time.'
