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CELEBRITY INTERVIEWS

Michael Cera Interview for 'Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist'

13 Questions With Michael Cera

Michael Cera has quietly been cracking up audiences for years, first as the awkward, cousin-loving George Michael Bluth on TV's 'Arrested Development'; then as an awkward horndog in 'Superbad'; and finally as the -- you guessed it -- awkward baby-daddy to Ellen Page's bastard spawn in 'Juno.'

With 'Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist,' a 'Before Sunrise'-esque tale of two (awkward) teenaged lost souls who come together during one night of indie-rock-infused adventure in Manhattan, he takes his first true stab at leading man-dom. Moviefone chatted with Cera about his ideal mix tape, the possibility of a 'Pineapple Express'-'Superbad' hybrid and whether those pesky 'Arrested Development' movie rumors will ever prove true (fingers crossed). -- By Tom DiChiara

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1. How'd you get interested in 'Nick & Norah'?

Well, I liked Pete [Sollet, the director] a lot. Willy, my manager, sent me his movie 'Raising Victor Vargas,' and I really loved it. It's a fantastic movie. For anyone who hasn't seen it, it's worth seeing. He's a great director, and I wanted to work with him. I liked the script, and I knew he would do it properly.

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2. If you were to make a mix tape for a girl, what would you put on it?

'Thriller' and -- let's see -- I'd put 'Do Right Woman' by Aretha Franklin, and that's it. Just those two songs. But I'd put them both about 10 times, alternating back and forth. I like to mystify people with my CDs. [Laughs.]

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3. What was your favorite scene to do in 'Nick & Norah'?

I liked -- let's see -- I liked anything where we're in the van. That was fun. And I liked watching Ari [Graynor, who plays Caroline] and all those guys. I had never met any of those guys and I thought it was great of Pete to put that group together. Yeah, I really liked watching those guys. It was awesome.

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4. What are some of your favorite comedies of all time?

I like 'Ghostbusters,' 'O Lucky Man!' ... and 'Yojimbo' -- that's kind of a comedy; it's funny.

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5. Have you seen that mock 'Juneau' poster? How do you feel about having John McCain's face over your body?

Somebody showed me that yesterday. I guess it was kind of funny. [Laughs.]

6. James Franco recently said he was interested in doing a 'Pineapple Express' meets 'Superbad' crossover movie. What have you heard about that, and would you be onboard?

I'd have to read the script. I know that Evan Goldberg was talking about that jokingly. I don't think he ever meant it, though. But I think his -- [laughs] well, I don't want to give it away. I don't want to say his idea. Yeah, it could be funny. Seth [Rogen] would be playing two parts? [Laughs.]

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7. You were recently named to Moviefone's 25 Biggest Stars Under 25 list. How does it feel to receive such a prestigious honor?

It's good ... I'm 32, though [laughs].

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8. Ellen Page and Kat Dennings made the list as well. What are your best memories of working with them?

I just remember eating food together. Me and Ellen went for dinner a lot. We were working in Vancouver, and we found some restaurants we liked. With Kat, I just had fun hanging out on set. With all these guys, when we weren't filming we'd hang out in my trailer. It was fun -- a really good group of people. Everyone balanced each other out very nicely.

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9. Ellen Page has said that you're a talented guitar player. Any musical aspirations?

I'm not that good. I've never taken lessons, and I don't feel competent. I can learn songs, but it's like learning to say a phrase in French and say it with a perfect accent but I still can't speak French [laughs].

Fox Searchlight

Reader Comments (page 1)

does anyone else find Cera as boring as I do ? It was cute in Superbad, it was even cute in Juno, but if he's gonna do the same act in every single movie, he might as well check out now because audiences will get tired of this fast.

John Daniel at 12:13PM on Oct 4th 2008

I cant STAND him! If he is 'cool' then i HOPE i'm lame!

sam at 6:52PM on Oct 4th 2008

That's true. Same act in every film. That just says that he isn't really all that talented. He's constantly type casted as the lame ass awkward kid because that's all he knows how to be. Cool my ass.

Michelle at 7:33PM on Oct 4th 2008

I LOVE HIM! HES SO FUNNY AND GORGEOUS! he does play kind of the same character in every movie but so do a lot of other actors... its just his thing!

Lin at 8:37PM on Oct 4th 2008

for real??? Seriously?? The King of Cool?? Riddle Me this, WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU SMOKING?? It must be the strongest peruvian cocaine, some Tony Montana shit.. Superbad was ALRIGHT, Juno was I DONT EVEN HAVE A WORD TO DESCRIBE IT, Now i gotta watch two hours of him in a small car wit some bootsie ass bitch!! Give this mu fucker a gun, lets see him play a bad guy. Matter of fact lets see this mu fucker play something beside a retard please..please...I'd rather cop a ten sack of some bammer than buy a movie ticket, WHO'S WIT ME

ajuriarte at 9:56PM on Oct 4th 2008

I think he's amazing. As Diablo Cody said (writer for the movie "Juno"), a lot of actors have to energize and build-up their momentum for hilarity, whereas Michael seems to get more quiet, more subtle, and it creates the same effect. Basically he's hilarious whilst barely trying.

And a LOT of comedy stars engage almost the same "role" in nearly every movie they're in (Chris Farley in "Black Sheep" and "Tommy Boy", Adam Sandler in .. every movie he's ever been in, Jim Carey in "The Mask" and "Liar, Liar", etc.) Its his personality that's shining through, just like Farley had a crazy, over-the-top, adolescent appeal; Sandler has a kind-hearted, care-free yet loving appeal; Carey has incredible expressionalism. I think Michael Cera brings something new to the table. He's that shy, quiet comedian, the one who doesn't have to be sitting in the center of the room with a spotlight on at all times in order to be the center of attention. It's subtle. Its working. I LOVE him!

rissa at 9:59PM on Oct 4th 2008

Hey, he's getting paid by playing that role. If I was getting typecast in any role AND getting continuous jobs and money, I will perfect that role to the hilt! I'd be the best freaking dork in a movie you have ever seen!! $$$

Diamond at 1:55AM on Oct 5th 2008

Okay, so you first three commenters are lame, or at least your view on Michael Cera is lame.
I love Michael Cera.
:]

Beth at 3:20AM on Oct 5th 2008

P.S. Add commenter number five to my previous comment.

Beth at 3:37AM on Oct 5th 2008

Wow, if you hope you're lame, you are just putting yourself down, now if you find him lame, its your opinion.... now pretty much what Im saying is, stop taking time out of your life to put someone down, because obviously he's done something you can't which is provide talent, haha, funny everybody in america thinks they have talent, and its not true, obviously your forte is shit talking :-)

D at 6:10AM on Oct 5th 2008

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