Adrien Brody: Action Hero at Last

Moving Pictures: What do you look for when picking a project?
Adrien Brody: It is hard to say, when I read something... and it also has to do with having a script to read, because in this case there was no script and I accepted the role before the script was done. I had a tremendous amount of faith in Peter's ability, and I knew that it was based on the original and I loved that story. It just sounded very exciting. It was really a no-brainer. Often, though, [when picking material] it is material that is different from something that I have done in the past, or something that would inspire me and give me an opportunity to grow in some way. I always look for new challenges, and I try not to repeat types of roles or characters too often.

MPM: You are from New York. How do you think that has affected who you are?
Adrien Brody: First of all, growing up in New York, you are constantly interacting with people from all walks of life. It is such a culturally diverse place, and I think it is an amazing place to grow up. I think that shaped me a lot. Growing up, my mother is a photographer and I grew up going with her to work and on assignments and experiencing a real creative energy and a real creative side of the city, and also a very visual reflection of it. She would always have images around the house. It was a beautiful way to see the world, because she is a real artist.

MPM: She is from Hungary, right?
Adrien Brody: Yes.

MPM: What do you do for fun?
Adrien Brody: These days, I am really appreciating my time with my friends and my girl and my dog. I have been away for quite some time. I spent almost nine months in New Zealand this year doing King Kong, and I was away from just about everybody during most of that time and it really made me miss everyone. It is just good to be home; it feels good to be back and to be able to see people when I like to see them. I am taking some time off now besides the press that I have to do.

MPM: Are you a private person for the most part?
Adrien Brody: I am relatively private. I am not secretive, but I think some things are not for public consumption.

MPM: Did you ever try selling cars?
Adrien Brody: I used to sell my cars when I was a teenager. I would buy my cars then get tired of them and sell them, and my dad always said, "Well, you can always be a used car salesman if it doesn't work out" (laughing).

MPM: Anyone you look up to in life?
Adrien Brody:I look up to my father more often lately.

MPM: How come lately?
Adrien Brody: I didn't give him enough credit as a teenager, and I think most boys don't. I am fortunate to have a father who stayed with my mother and lived together and was there for me and was there to give me guidance and still does help guide me. That is something I am really proud of, and I hope to be half the man that he is when it comes time to being a parent. He has worked very hard, and both have overcome poverty; my mother fled revolutions and has been a refugee and they both put themselves through college and had student loans. They have struggled and gotten an education, and I just respect them and their views of the world and their understanding and their compassion. They are some pretty amazing parents, I've got to say, and I am very fortunate.

MPM: Any brothers and sisters?
Adrien Brody: No, I got all the attention.

MPM: You have a long resume for being so young.
Adrien Brody: I was 13 when I started acting.

MPM: Did you just decide to be an actor?
Adrien Brody: My mom actually had an assignment to photograph an acting school in New York and she just had the insight, mother's intuition, to know that I would enjoy it, and the rest is history. -MPM

Also see "Gorilla of Your Dreams" parts I and III: A Brief History of Simean Cinema and Naomi Watts: Gollum's Barbie Doll