The fast rising actor discusses everything from his role in the film, his experience on set, and what movie role he would love to play.
The upcoming film, Spider-Man:Homecoming, features several veteran stars we’ve come to know and love, like Michael Keaton, Robert Downey Jr. and Marisa Tomei. However, the real treasure of the movie lies in the upcoming talent who are taking Hollywood by storm. Once such actor is Tony Revolori. Many of you will know him from his iconic role from the Oscar winning film The Grand Budapest Hotel. He’s on his way to bigger films and more phenomenal performances. We got a chance to sit down and speak to him about his role in Spider-Man, his time on the set, and what role he’d like to see himself play. Check out our interview with him:
The film has got a very 1980’s feel. Did you base your character of Flash from the bully stereotypes of the 80’s?
Tony: No, no, no. I definitely strayed away from going past time and made it more contemporary if anything. I was going more towards a cyber bully and what it would be like to personify a cyber bully. That’s where I tried to take the character.
Was there a specific character or something that you’ve seen that inspired it?
Tony: No, it was mostly on set and discovering what worked and what didn’t with Tom and Jacob and everyone else in the cast and Jon really hammering what went too far, what was too soft and what was too mean, what wasn’t mean enough. So it wasn’t really inspired by any other character. I talked about it with Jon and he made me watch that movie with Robert Downey Jr., where he plays like a really punk dude. Anyways, I watched that movie where he was a douche to see where Jon wanted to take it a little bit. So it was kind of funny that I did that having RDJ in this film.
Did Robert Downey Jr. give you any advice?
Tony: I didn’t meet him until today.
How was working Tom Holland?
Tony: Who? Was he an extra?
He sometimes goes by Spiderman.
Tony: Yes, I know who you’re talking about. Yea, that kid is good. Fun kid. He’s got a lot of learning to do, but he’s a fun fun kid. No, I love Tom. I think he’s a wonderful, brilliant actor, I had so much fun working with him on set. Humbled to call him my friend and really, really really had a great time with him and he’s incredible as Spiderman.
Did the jokes continue off set? Did Tom come back to antagonize you?
Tony: No, it went both ways. At the beginning and during rehearsal, we were both ribbing on each other, I’d say something stupid, he’d call me out on it, he’d say something stupid, I’d call him out on it, we’d both say something stupid and Zendaya would definitely call us out on it. Then we didn’t dare call her out on it. Zendaya, queen. I feel like Zendaya is princess to Beyonce’s Queen. You’re welcome Zendaya.
Did you have any fun off set moments with Zendaya or other cast members like Jacob?
Tony: Oh yea! Jacob and I would steal golf carts and race them around Pinewood Studios. I almost tipped on over once trying to do too sharp of a turn. We would eat at Waffle House in the middle of the day, go to the Aquarium. We’d hang a lot at Tom’s house, cause he had a pool and stuff. It was so hot in Atlanta when we were shooting so we’d all just drive down there and swim in that pool.
Were you a big fan of the comic books?
Tony: Yea, huge. I loved them. Especially the movies. The movies are what I did more, but I definitely read the comics as a kid. To be a part of this is a childhood dream come true.
Who was your favorite Marvel hero before joining the MCU, now that you’re a part of it, do you think it changed?
Tony: It’s so selfish to say, but Flash Thompson is now my favorite character from what I’ve read about him and the research I’ve done about him because of his status as a veteran, who has PTSD and is an amputee. It made me fall in love with him for that reason. My favorite Marvel character before hand I’d probably say Nightcrawler from the X-men series. Probably him.
I really like your character’s arc. Where do you see that going in future films? Anything similar to the character you played in Dope?
Tony: Definitely not like the character I played in Dope. I can definitely see him maturing. I’m a junior in this film, so if they call me back for the next one I’d be a senior and by that fact it would be my last year in high school and I think there’s a lot of potential for him to grow as a human being or even become worse. In my mind, I’d love for him to join the army like he does in the comic books and maybe mature there. What’s so beautiful about his relationship with Peter Parker is that he was a bully but later on in the comics he becomes his best friend. He was the best man at Peter’s wedding. It’s so beautiful and wonderful to see someone who is bad to turn out to be better or be a good person, change. As opposed to Peter Parker’s goodness and righteous, which I think is a great dichotomy between the two.
What was your favorite scene to shoot?
Tony: Oh man. It’s not my favorite, but it was one of Jon Watts’ favorite, which is the high school party scene where I’m chanting. I chanted for about 4 hours, “Penis Parker” screaming at the top of my lungs and different alternations of that and he loved it. He would be like “Tony! Go hard! DJ!”. I would go so hard and my voice was dead by the end of it but it was a lot of fun. It was also one of the hardest scenes to shoot, but it was also fun.
How was working with Jon Watts and how does that compare with working with other great directors like Wes Anderson?
Tony: I love working with Wes. I don’t think the comparison of directors is fair as well as the comparison of actors or anything cause there’s so many different stories to be told. Like I just saw The Big Sick with Kumail Nanjiani, I think that’s a beautiful story to be told but I don’t think that can be compared to Wes Anderson or anyone else. I think Jon is wonderful and I can see him as someone who in 10 years is heavily sought after at the levels of Zemeckis and them. I think he’s extremely talented and has a great, unique vision. I can’t wait to see him do more Spider-man stories and stories of his own.
When you were working with Wes, you said he tailor made the role for you.
Tony: I know which quote you’re talking about, it’s not that he tailor made it for me. What I was trying to get across was that he made this suit and it’s a beautiful suit, it’s a perfect suit, and it’s ready to be fitted on anyone who is that size, it’s like he was just looking for his Cinderella at that point. And very fortunately, I was the one who fit there. That’s how I felt it was working with him. So I got to work with one of the best directors of our time, currently, and I’m fortunate I can still call him a friend and that movie changed my life so greatly.
Do you think the character of Flash is as tailor made for you?
Tony: No, it’s the exact opposite, it’s a different concept and I love that I’m trying something as different as this. There are qualities that Flash and I definitely share, but it’s different then that. I’m trying to fit into this suit and the comic book fans are very, very precious with it. S
You’ve got a very bright future ahead. Is there any role that you want to play?
Tony: Ooo I ‘d love to do Aladdin. I know they’re doing that. Maybe, who knows.
The film hits theaters on July 7.
