After making his name with a role in the cult TV hit Arrested Development, Michael Cera cemented his reputation as a Hollywood star with films like Superbad and Juno. In his latest film, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, directed by Britain’s own Edgar Wright, he plays the titular slacker who sets out to woo his dream girl and battles her evil exes to win her heart. Cera was recently in London to promote the film, along with co-stars Brandon Routh and Jason Schwartzman, and he spoke about playing video games, fighting Superman and more.
Were video games part of the preparation at all?
Michael Cera (MC): I watched a lot of Cassius Clay, and played Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out! on original Nintendo. And Contra was also very inspiring to me. But I felt totally confident in Edgar, he knew this movie so well, you knew that he wasn’t going to under think anything. Every decision involved in the process, he thought about so much. When you have a director like that you can kind of let go of all your fears and go with them, follow that confidence and believe in the movie.
How was it working on a film with such a cult following?
MC: This movie was a completely different process from any other job I’ve ever had, just working with Edgar. He’s got such a unique process. He storyboards everything really heavily, and a lot of the gags in the movie are very visual so he pieces things together very meticulously. He goes in with a plan of action, he’ll shoot one moment and there’ll be a specific set up just for this one moment in the script, and you just focus on that moment until you get it. I’ve never done anything like that, this movie stood out for me process-wise, it was completely unique.
Was it daunting being in a fight with Superman?
MC: Who do you mean? [To Brandon Routh] Were you Superman? Was it daunting? Kind of, no it’s all work. Actually Brandon had some very nice advice when I was in the harness, like make sure you're secured before being hoisted up. He gave me directions to the adoption agency.
What audience do you envisage for this film?
MC: [After Brandon Routh's answer about the audience being anyone who likes movies]. Yes. If you hate movies, stay at home.