What attracted you to this project?
Well, I read the script and it broke my heart. Johan Renck (director) trusted I could do a good enough job, so that’s why I jumped at it.
How was having a giant extraterrestrial spider called Hanus (voiced by Paul Dano) be your only companion on the long journey through space?
Talking to Hanus was always a pleasure. We got deep together (laughs). I felt pain and he helped me get out of it.
Please explain how Hanus helps your character.
He basically tells me to stop running away. What is painful? What are you chasing? Why is it so important to go after something over there when you have something right here that is beautiful and perfect? These are the questions Hanus helps my character with.
How did you relate to your character and his struggle?
I related to the fact that I am on a journey, but in real life, I don’t have much time to be alone. I have maybe eight minutes tops. Then, I have to do something.
I recommend being on a spaceship alone to everyone.
What was it like being the only person in a scene for so long?
Well, we all got to rehearse together, but one particular day, it was a lot of me talking to a tennis ball. Sometimes Johan’s friend would come dressed up as a spider and crawl around. But it was a good experience because this is a movie about being alone. The tennis ball allowed me to be alone in my own world. Johan set it up so the crew was far away. All of a sudden there would be a camera, and I would be like, ‘Did anybody press record on that thing?’ Apparently, most of the time, they did (laughs).
How was having Carey Mulligan as your wife waiting for you back on Earth?
Watching her work was amazing. There was this one scene when she was on the phone and just in one take she just broke everybody’s heart. She is just the next level of greatness. It was amazing working with her. To watch the movie and to see the connection that we end up having, feels so good.
How did you cope with all those scenes where you had to be floating around?
The wires were tough because my body is not the most flexible (laughs). They dug into me. Johan would often say, ‘You don’t look like you are floating. What are you doing?’ I would say, ‘Well, what should I do?’ And then they would wire John up, and he would be like, ‘More like this.’
What is your favourite science fiction movie?
Right now, Spaceman is my favourite. I could watch it again and again. Besides that, Attack of the 50 Ft Woman. My father and I used to watch it together, so that one has nice memories. But there’s been so many great science fiction movies.
You are famous for your comedy roles, but now you are making a name as a dramatic actor. Is this a genre you want to do more of?
I hope so. I love doing it. Spaceman was an amazing process.
What do your daughters think about the fact that you are now a sci-fi hero?
They’re both teenagers, so they’re pretty unfazed. They don’t make it a big deal. They grew up with daddy and mommy doing this stuff.
I am happy that it is not everything to them. But they are passionate about wanting to be good at acting. That’s all they talk about.
Assuming you are not all alone for your next movie, is there anyone you would love to work with?
Well, I’m going to do a movie with George Clooney, which I am pretty excited about. I love Clooney. I have known him a long time and have always wanted to work with him. It should be fun to finally get to do it.
What about teaming up with Jennifer Aniston or Drew Barrymore again?
I’d love to. I love working with Jen. We’ve been friends for years. I loved doing the Murder Mystery movies with her and I hope we can do more. And Drew, she’s such a great person. I would love it if we got to do something together again, but I know she’s pretty busy.
