The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Music
  • Lifestyle
  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch
Film

Exclusive: RJ Cyler Discusses Big Screen Debut In ‘Me and Earl and the Dying Girl’

by Staff June 12, 2015
by Staff June 12, 2015 0 comments
3.6K

TheKnockturnal had the pleasure of sitting down with an amazing new actor on the rise named RJ Cyler. He makes his big debut in the Fox Searchlight film “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” out this Friday. Read our review here. 

Read what RJ told us exclusively about playing Earl.

What was is like to take your first major role on?

It was like: “Wow? O yeah? Mmm…” You know how you have the high school crush that you’re scared to talk to, but it’s senior year and you’re about to leave so you just, like, take a chance? And this whole time they’ve had a crush on you? They actually like you? That’s how good this felt, if not better. I was just like: Thank you, Lord. Everyone says your first is your worst. Well, no! The first is my best right now. They set the bar so high.

What were your first impressions of the script/ novel?

I read the script first. My manager sent me the script. They knew I was playing Xbox at the time, and were like, “Put the controller down!” I was like, “It’s very constructive.” But I think I read it three times that one day, because it was that good. I was just trying to find different areas of Earl, trying to make him sweeter, because I needed them to like me. I fiended for this movie. It was addictive. I was thinking, this is not a cliché movie. I don’t see a kiss anywhere, they’re not in love. They don’t have a weird sex scene that mkes the audience feel odd… You know, girl has leukemia, now they’re having sex…what?

You have a very emotional scene with Thomas in the film. What was shooting that like?

That whole night was like…. Wow. I didn’t do anything else that night, I just went to sleep. Well, I called my mom, and then went to sleep. I was like “Mama, they got me crying.” “What’d they do to my baby?!” “Nothing, it’s a part of the scene.” “Oh, well then shut up!” I was like, cmon, mama, be a part of the team right now! It was very emotional and challenging, and so satisfying. I was finding new parts of RJ as I was shooting this scene. That it was okay to go there. For me, when emotion is on, it’s hard to turn it off. It’s like a faucet with a leak, but this is a really big leak. Practically the whole front of the sink is gone, and it’s just pouring out. One of the takes is just three to five minutes of me and Thomas going back and forth, because I just had to get some of this out, so that I could complete the scene. I didn’t know that was there. I didn’t know I had stuff I needed to get out. I’m RJ, I get everything out through Chipotle consumption! I think that’s going to be one of the scenes I’m most proud of in my career, just because it was such a learning, breaking point of RJ.

Where do you see your career going?

Right now, I don’t want to be…Comedy is easy. Comedy is something I grew up with, because my whole family is full of clowns. That’s just how we communicate with each other, and it’s all love. It’s not a challenge for me. But drama… I love challenges. Even just watching drama, I try to go to that place, with the actors. I know that drama is going to be my baby, even if it’s just me in the mirror reciting Dog Day Afternoon, or Training Day, or The Lorax. I don’t want to be a stagnate actor.

You have great chemistry with your costars in the film. It feels like you guys have known each other a long time.

We went out to Pittsburgh and ran around for a week getting to know each other, just exploring, running into random block parties, Arctic Monkeys concerts. I love Pittsburgh. If I could have a second home it would be in Pittsburgh.

What was it like, moving out to LA?

Quick and shocking. I told my mom, first, initially, look, I’m going to move out to California by myself, try to do it, if I mess up, just move back. She said: “No! We’re moving to California.” She went to my dad, said “We gotta move to California, RJ wants to be an actor.” No pressure, at all, you guys just cashing in your retirement. It was a big faith move.

Did you ever think about going to acting school, getting professional training?

I used to think that’s what was needed. I did a short program, and when I got in, he was like, “There’s not much that I can teach you, because you have it all.” I was like, “What does that mean? I’m here. What’s up?” So he taught me how to control this certain thing, this certain thing.

Sort of hone it?

Yeah. I spent two weeks in that program.

And then you made the decision, based off that experience?

There’s a certain feeling I get, when I’m acting. It’s addictive. If people did this all the time, there would be no stress. It’s just like getting paid to play dress up. Advanced dress up. But it’s still dress up.

-Nick Vincennes

Me and Earl and the Dying GirlRJ Cyler
0 comments 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Staff

previous post
Exclusive: Amy Hargreaves Talks ‘How He Fell in Love,’ Working With Matt McGorry and More!
next post
Exclusive: Sage The Gemini Talks ‘Good Thing,’ Working With Nick Jonas & More

Related Posts

Techno and Tragedy in Oliver Laxe’s Sirat

October 21, 2025

Jada George on Building a Dystopian World That...

October 17, 2025

The Fence review – The Emotional Borderlines of...

October 16, 2025

We Discuss the Film ‘No Other Choice’ with...

October 16, 2025

Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice is Dark, Gripping,...

October 16, 2025

Devil in Disguise: Peacock’s John Wayne Gacy Story...

October 16, 2025

ROOFMAN: Channing Tatum and Kirsten Dunst Retell the...

October 14, 2025

A House of Dynamite Screening Recap: Kathryn Bigelow’s...

October 14, 2025

From Festival to Streaming: Catherine Argyrople’s Growing Pains...

October 13, 2025

‘Father Mother Sister Brother’ Film Premiere at the...

October 13, 2025

Digital Cover No. 19

The Knockturnal Merch

Follow Us On The Gram

theknockturnal

Lifestyle. Music. Entertainment.
Info@theknockturnal.com
New Cover Out Now ⬇️

Step inside the chaotic world of The Chair Company Step inside the chaotic world of The Chair Company, where office life meets absurd comedy. 🪑 
Stream it now on @HBO. 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/la-premiere-hbos-the-chair-company/

✍️: Katherine Wright
-
#TheChairCompany #HBO #HBOOriginal #HBOShow #BingeWorthy #MustWatch #StreamingNow
@justinbieber led @skylrk to a standout win at The @justinbieber led @skylrk to a standout win at The Leag, one of LA’s most talked-about underground sports events. With celebrities, athletes, and creators filling the sidelines, the night captured the energy of competition and culture colliding under the lights. 🏀

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/justin-bieber-leads-skylrk-to-victory-at-las-underground-sports-phenomenon-the-league/

✍️: Parris Rose

-
#JustinBieber #SKYLRK #TheLeag #LosAngeles #SportsCulture #Basketball #UndergroundSports
@nmixx_official spoke with The Knockturnal about t @nmixx_official spoke with The Knockturnal about their journey as six members, a long, inspiring adventure that’s led them to a major milestone: their first-ever full-length album, Blue Valentine. 💙

The project dives deep into the complexity of human emotions, wrapped in NMIXX’s signature MIXX-pop sound. 🎶

“The story of NMIXX is still unfolding.” 

Full Article 🔗 https://theknockturnal.com/nmixx-blue-valentine/

By @EmmaSalehi 

#NMIXX #BlueValentine #NMIXXBlueValentine #MIXXPOP #NMIXXComeback #KpopInterview #TheKnockturnal #Kpop #KpopNews #KpopGirlGroup #NMIXX_BlueValentine #HAEWON #LILY #BAE #JIWOO #KYUJIN #SULLYOON #엔믹스
Want to immerse yourself in the wonderful world of Want to immerse yourself in the wonderful world of @beetlejuicebway? Now you can! From now until Halloween, @tempotimessquare hosting an unforgettable Beetlejuice Suite experience where every corner is bursting with spooky charm, strange surprises, and a whole lot of Netherworld flair. 💀✨ 

Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just a little strange and unusual, this is your chance to step into the world of the ghost with the most. 👻 #BeetlejuiceBroadway #TempoTimesSquare #BeetlejuiceSuite
#ParkChanWook new film might make you laugh when y #ParkChanWook new film might make you laugh when you least expect it — and flinch when you do. 👀💥

Full review out now.

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/park-chan-wooks-no-other-choice-is-dark-gripping-and-bitingly-funny/

✍️: Ishan Wankavala 

-
#NoOtherChoice #KoreanCinema #Cinephile #FilmReview #NewRelease #MustWatch
📸 WOODZ (@woodz_dnwm) — the artist redefining 📸 WOODZ (@woodz_dnwm) — the artist redefining boundaries with each track, image, and evolution. Dive into our exclusive to uncover the artistry behind the name. 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/woodz/

✍️: Emma Salehi

-
#Woodz #Kpop #ArtistSpotlight #Editorial
EXCLUSIVE: STAYC take the Stay Tuned tour to elect EXCLUSIVE: STAYC take the Stay Tuned tour to electrifying new heights, bringing “I WANT IT” to life with unmatched energy, confidence, and flair. Every beat, every move, every note is a reminder that STAYC don’t just perform—they command the stage. 🌈💥

From their glowing visuals to powerhouse vocals, @stayc_highup deliver a night that’s equal parts spectacle and soul.

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/stayc/

✍️: Emma Salehi

-
#STAYC #StayTunedTour #IWANTIT #STAYCgirls #STAYChighup #Kpop #ConcertHighlights #ExclusiveFeature
Park Chan-wook shares how The Ax inspired his new Park Chan-wook shares how The Ax inspired his new film, exploring its unique darkness. 🌟

#ParkChanWook #NoOtherChoice #TheAx #KoreanFilm #KDrama #NYFF #NYFF26
Big sci-fi dreams ahead 🔥🤖Park Chan-wook tea Big sci-fi dreams ahead 🔥🤖Park Chan-wook teases his probable upcoming project Genocidal Organ! 

#ParkChanWook #GenocidalOrgan #NYFF #NYFF26
Dark humor and deep tragedy with @byunghun0712 in Dark humor and deep tragedy with @byunghun0712 in his latest film @nootherchoicefilm. 🖤🎬

#LeeByungHun #NoOtherChoice #KDrama #NYFF #NYFF26
Two worlds, one screen 🌏🎥 Lee Byung-hun refl Two worlds, one screen 🌏🎥 Lee Byung-hun reflects on 20 years of film, from South Korea to Hollywood! 

#LeeByungHun #Hollywood #KoreanCinema #Film #NoOtherChoice #NYFF26 #NYFF
Brighter days ahead 🌞 @cix.official share what Brighter days ahead 🌞 @cix.official share what it means to move forward together in their latest comeback. 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/cix/

✍️: Emma Salehi

Photo Credits: C9 Entertainment 
-
#CIX #GOChapter1 #GOTogether #TheKnockturnal #KpopInterview #KpopNews #CIXComeback #CIX2025 #KpopFeature #CIXFans
It’s going down! @stayc_highup is in North Ameri It’s going down! @stayc_highup is in North America on their ‘Stay Tuned’ tour! 💖

Watch their energetic and fun filled show near you 👀🌟

#stayc #kpop #kpopconcert #iwantit #staycstaytuned #staytuned
Who runs the world? Girls! 🩷 We had the most a Who runs the world? Girls! 🩷

We had the most amazing day of inspiring panels, activations and networking at @femalefounderworld, with @eyebuydirect! 👓
Eskil Vogt reunites with longtime collaborator Joa Eskil Vogt reunites with longtime collaborator Joachim Trier for their sixth cinematic journey, co-writing Sentimental Value, a poignant exploration of family, memory, and reconciliation. 

-
#Screenwriting #Storytelling #WritingForFilm #FilmWriting #NYFF2025 #NewYorkFilmFestival #IndieFilm
At @thenyff , @renatereinsve brings Nora Borg to l At @thenyff , @renatereinsve brings Nora Borg to life in Sentimental Value, portraying a character whose journey through family complexities and personal discovery resonates deeply. 

-
#RenateReinsve #NYFF #SentimentalValue #NoraBorg #FilmFestival #Actress
@nobledanceroslo at @thenyff shares his vision as @nobledanceroslo at @thenyff shares his vision as a director, bringing his story to life with precision, collaboration, and attention to every frame. 

The film reflects his dedication to emotion, storytelling, and cinematic craft. 🎥

-
#JoachimTrimmer #NYFF #NewYorkFilmFestival #FilmFestival #Director #Filmmaking
We spoke with @ingalilleaas at @thenyff about the We spoke with @ingalilleaas at @thenyff about the emotional process behind her latest film. ✨

-
#IngaIbsdotterLilleaas #NYFF #NewYorkFilmFestival #FilmFestival #Cinema
Poised, perceptive, and endlessly compelling — @ Poised, perceptive, and endlessly compelling — @ellefanning in conversation at this year’s @thenyff.

-
#ElleFanning #NYFF #NewYorkFilmFestival #FilmFestival #RedCarpet #Cinema
✨ From powerful panels to unforgettable performa ✨ From powerful panels to unforgettable performances, the 2025 #TeenVogueSummit brought together voices shaping fashion, culture, and activism today. 💬🎶

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/2025-teen-vogue-summit-recap-full-of-fun-fashion-and-connection/

✍️: Zipporah Pruitt

-
#TeenVogue #TeenVogueSummit2025 #TeenVogueEvents
#TeenVogueCommunity #TeenVogueStyle
Follow on Instagram

About The Site

We are a collective of creative tastemakers made up of fashion, music and entertainment industry insiders. It’s all about access. You want it. We have it.

Terms Of Use

Privacy Policy

Meet The Team

CONTACT US

For general inquiries and more info on The Knockturnal, please contact our staff at:
info@theknockturnal.com
fashion@theknockturnal.com
advertising@theknockturnal.com
editorial@theknockturnal.com
beauty@theknockturnal.com

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube

© Copyright - The Knockturnal | Developed by CI Design + Media

The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Music
  • Lifestyle
  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch