The cast and crew of the new movie American Assassin were all on hand at last night’s screening New York.
The iPic Theaters at Fulton Market hosted the star studded screening of the new action film, out September 15th, and The Knockturnal was on hand to talk with a couple of the film’s stars, Dylan O’Brien (Teen Wolf, The Maze Runner) and Taylor Kitsch (Lone Survivor, Friday Night Lights) about their action packed roles.
How did you get involved in this project originally?
Kitsch: I was doing a movie called Only the Brave and the same producer who was doing that was doing American Assassin, and he came up to me and said he wanted to see me play this character!
Were you familiar with the books?
I was familiar with it, but I hadn’t really dived into them. [My character] is not from the books, so I got creative control over a lot of stuff which was great, to build him up from the script.
What do you want audiences to feel the most when they leave the theater, do you want this to be a thrilling experience?
It’s full on, man! It surprised me and I knew what was gonna happen, so I think it’s like a great escape, what a movie should be in this sense. The action is original which is nice, [Dylan O’Brien] is decent.
Yeah, how was it like working with everyone?
They’re great! [Michael] Keaton’s awesome, and Dylan did a great job.
Did you learn anything working with Michael Keaton?
It’s exciting to see a guy that’s done so much to be so excited in the morning, and I love that. I love that he hasn’t lost that love for it, so that was great
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Which was more nerve waking for you? Was it taking on such a beloved character or throwing the first pitch at the Mets game?
O’Brien: 100% the Mets game! Not even a contest!
You’ve been wanting to do that for a while now?
No! I don’t know if ever would have even gotten myself to do it. I was definitely not like poking at them because it was always such a nerve wracking thing to think about because I’m a little nervous Nancy. They finally offered it up up, because I was coming to do press in New York and I was like ‘Is there anything we can do with the Mets?’ and they were like ‘First pitch?’ and I was like ‘Uh is there anything else?’ and I decided to do it and I’m really happy I did. It was totally a dream come true, and it will always be super special for me, it was a great night.
On this character (Mitch Rapp) whose obviously so well known were you familiar with the books at all?
No I wasn’t!
Did you want to read the books to study the character?
No, I knew enough about him even before it all went ahead and I was ‘the guy’ I guess, I did my research a little bit and I started learning about this guy, and then I read the script. I wanted to build it from the ground up then there I guess. That’s your blueprint too, always as the actor, that’s what you’re going to be doing so that’s what you want to work on.
You play a younger version of this character so did you take that into consideration, knowing that there’s already a fully developed version out?
Yeah, and I don’t want to know my future in way, you know? Maybe that sounds stupid or lazy or whatever but it’s just how I do it. I really wanted this guy to come from me in a way, and I felt like I really understood him and I felt like I wanted to take it from there. Bring him to life as I would!
The Cinema Society & Saved Wines presented the special screening screening. American Assassin hits theaters nationwide September 15th, 2017.