We all have that one comfort movie or series that takes us back to the joys of childhood.
Thank you so much for saying that.
I then spoke to [A.J.
Edwards], the director, when I was very aware that I might want to pass.
Specifically, the character Jim is so different from Hardin.
I figured, [I’m] not going to be doing coming-of-age films in [my] 40s.
[I] have to take the roles while [I] can and make the most of it.
I’m so glad I have.
To answer your question, I was definitely reluctant at first, but I’m so glad I did.
You’ve got this darker, very emotionally fraught backstory.
They are on completely different ends of the spectrum as people.
He’s patient and he’s aware that life will go on and nothing lasts forever.
Like you say, Hardin is such a specific character.
Jim is too, but on the other side.
What does Hero think fans will take away from seeing him in such a different role?
How do you think that fans and viewers will take seeing you in such a starkly different role?
They’re going to love it.
I’m really excited for them to see it.
Hopefully, it might allow them to start seeing … [I’m] so grateful for those fans.
I hope they love it, and [I’m] really excited for them to see it.
Were you taken by the project instantaneously?
What were those early days like?
I definitely read it with a typical boyish … too much pride.
Now, I need to give it the time of day."
It was a gradual process that ended with A.J.
essentially expressing the extent of his belief in me being able to do it.
I want to work with people who want me for my ability.
He instantly … before I even had …
I love talking about this whole film and everyone involved.
In what ways did Jim both remind you of yourself, but then also challenge you as an actor?
Because it’s in America, it’s so different.
I didn’t have to worry about it.
The way it’s written didn’t feed into that at all.
Let’s dive into your dynamic with Sydney [Park].
You joined storied actors in Diane Kruger, Jeffrey Donovan.
I was so aware that I would learn so much.
Sometimes, you have some scenes opposite each other and I genuinely got lost in it.
It was like, “Oh my God, it’s my line, isn’t it?”
Jeffrey, as well, was so in it and so caring for me.
They have such a bigger, wider array of understanding of the whole process.
I learned so much working with those guys.
It was a real pleasure.
They’ve probably seen the whole game change as well.
I rarely even saw a light be put up because they utilized natural light so well.
They’re so confident and self-assured and deliver so well that you start to follow those same footsteps.
I was aware [during] filming that, like, “Don’t get used to this.
It won’t be like this.
He says, “If you do it, I’ll make it work.”
We are not limited by continuity or rules and beats to hit.
We play the scene in the most natural real way, and he’ll make it work.
’s style and the execution of that.
It was so freeing as an actor.
“Harry Potter” was such a big break for you.
Take me back to that and how it propelled you into the entertainment industry.
You were such a kid.
I had done one tiny job for my parents' friends that was like 100, cash in hand.
All I had to do was …
The character stole some chocolate bars, and then his older brother found him.
Then, my mom said, “You want to audition for ‘Harry Potter’?”
I’ve done a bit of acting.
The next audition, call back another weekday, another day off school.
Now I actually have to do it.
You have to perform.
It was a bit of a big emotional roller coaster.
The process of filming … [Director] David Yates did the same thing.
He was like a peer.
He really has a good way with actors.
Everything else was like, “Oh, it’s all right if I don’t get that.
It’s all right if that doesn’t work out.”
[I’m] totally grateful for that experience.
I’m such a “Harry Potter” geek.
He knew it would get to me, so fair play to him.
Now, he watched it back and he came to my room the other day.
He was like, “Just wanted to say, you are so good in that, bro.
It was really good.”
It was such a nice little moment.
But then he threw in an insult there.
We’re still brothers, so it’s all fine.
It wasn’t too salty, but it was really nice.
And thank you for asking that because yeah, it’s always nice to touch on that.
I want to spring forward.
I would love to keep doing different characters and different genres and keep switching it up.
Then, I’d be so scared when I have to go and do something different.
I’ll genuinely continue to keep bouncing around and changing everything, until I really …
I’m going to naturally find my feet in one genre more than others by exploring all of them.
The immediate aim is to keep switching it up and keep making good movies.
“First Love” is now playing in select theaters and is available for rental and purchase on demand.
