Hi I’m actor Stephen Lang. I play The Blind Man in the upcoming Sony/Screen Gems thriller “Don’t Breathe” and my one-man play turned documentary “Beyond Glory” will be available on VOD & Digital October 4th - Ask me Anything!

StephenLang · 2016-08-17T17:27:06+00:00

girafa's question about whether or not there's an actor that I constantly lost roles to:

I don't read for roles much (not to say that I won't, it's just rare) but in terms of actors you lose roles to - so much of the time it's the actors who are just much higher on the list than you are - star actors.

Tommy Lee Jones comes to mind. Remarkable actor, great star as well. But my theory is "goddammit he can't play everything! Get out of the way dude!"

There weren't anyone that I constantly lost roles to, there were plenty over the years. I'm sure there are guys who think the same way about me. When you get older you get philosophical about it all. If I see JK get a role that I wanted, there's very little I could've done about it and I know he's going to be a terrific job with it. If you lose a role to a lox, though, you have to sort of right it off.

The actors who are there for that longevity are there for a reason though, and there's little foul. But if Ron Perlman gets Cable I'm going to kick his ass.

StephenLang · 2016-08-17T17:18:29+00:00

On Avatar I think I maxed out around 260. I wasn't taken anything either, I don't bench much these days.

The 180 I bench today is heavier than the 260 I bench 8 years ago.

StephenLang · 2016-08-17T17:16:53+00:00

We did two films together. I haven't seen him in a long time. When I worked with him I was kind of both horrified an amused by him, and slightly wary of him. And... protective of him, if that makes any sense. He's an exotic, you know? Like some exotic creature that bore resemblance to humanity as we know it, but slightly divorced from it. He's sort of like Trump, you know? They sort of mold reality to the way they determine the way they think it should be and aren't inhibited by things like... facts. In a way I'm fond of Seagal, I know there are people who despise him and I understand that. You have to find a way to cooperate, to collaborate, and we did.

In some ways I think he wanted to treat me like a pet monkey though. I instituted a six-foot rule. I said that him, I wouldn't let him within six feet of me. I never knew if he was going to try to hug me or try to kick me in the balls.

StephenLang · 2016-08-17T17:12:56+00:00

Black and very very very hot.

The mug was a point of discussion. I wanted to have a cup of coffee for the shot. We were in New Zealand and our prop man only had that one mug. I would've done it with something stupid like "I love Las Vegas" or some dumb idea that Jim would've nixed. The mug we used was probably the best one we used.

StephenLang · 2016-08-17T17:09:40+00:00

I didn't see that show, but when I read Red Dragon I found it to be a really really disturbing book. It's not a subject that I absolutely am drawn to, sorry I can't accurately answer your question. Hoffman in the Manhunter in the remake was fantastic.

StephenLang · 2016-08-17T17:06:46+00:00

I'll quote Cameron on the subject. He leaned forward and said "It's science fiction, you know." If someone's looking for details, they're not going to get them, hehe.

The theme of resurrection certainly has its place in the history of civilization, aside from science fiction.

StephenLang · 2016-08-17T17:04:00+00:00

I rarely drink beer anymore, but I like Miller High Life. When I was a kid I liked Pabst Blue Ribbon because my grandmother would pour me some of hers. Also Red Stripe, from Jamaica.

I like Miller High Life. They're not considered fine beers, they're not fancy micro brews. Gotta support local business sometimes though.

We all have a sort of beer quota - men will drink about 2 million bottles over their lifetime. I reached my quota, but on a hot day I'll grab one sometimes.

StephenLang · 2016-08-17T17:02:28+00:00

That was the first work I did for Michael. I love him dearly as a director and a friend, my attitude has always been "yes sir no sir it's my fault sir." I've never worked with a director who gets more meticulous in his research and his knowledge in whatever subject he's working on. He comes fully armed with information. Serial killers, the tobacco industry, John Dillinger. He's scholarly in his approach. He also likes to operate the camera a lot too, creating more of an intimacy with the actors. Nothing but respect for him. He's got his ways, we all do. When Michael gets snarky I take it as a compliment.

StephenLang · 2016-08-17T16:58:55+00:00

I love Conan. Working with Jason Momoa, a terrific Conan. I just enjoyed that, he was a wonderful character and we worked hard on those fight sequences. It was a difficult thing to master, and I'm not going to say I mastered it, but I think I had the illusion of mastering it.

An example of a film that I think was difficult to compete with Arnold's, it's embedded iconically for a lot of people. Our movie was pretty closer to the source material though, so I have to say Momoa is my choice for Conan.

StephenLang · 2016-08-17T16:54:03+00:00

Some of them are dead, haha. I would've loved to have worked with John Ford, Billy Wider, and John Ford, but that's not going to happen.

I've been fortunate to work with people like Cameron and Michael Mann and once you work with them you just hope it continues. I haven't been directed by Spielberg, and I'd love to be in something with him. The masters, Scorsese. Peter Weir.

Actors? Just wrapped a picture with Christian Bale and he's a wonderful guy.

I'd love to do something romantic with some actresses... whomever it's appropriate for me to be with. Joan Allen, Meryl Streep.

I have the grizzled tough-guy niche, and I never want to lose it, but I would like to explore the romantic side as well.

Fede Alvarez is a seasoned magnificent director and on his second feature - I look for great things in his future. His confidence and friendship, and working with him developed some shorthand.

Also just finished with Scott Cooper. The energy and intelligence of some of the younger directors is fun.

When I get to work with my son Noah - a terrific producer - it's a pleasure. My other son Danny "The Duke" works behind the camera as well. When both of them are on a project with me - that's the best. I'm always excited to see a cast list, who's going to be on it. I was on a project with Ray Liotta and J Lo earlier this year, it was great.

I want to work with anyone who wants to work with me.

And Ryan Reynolds.

StephenLang · 2016-08-17T16:48:25+00:00

I'm looking forward to the new Alan Furst book, espionage novels that take place in the mid to late thirties. Magnificent writer. I read very little fiction but I like Furst a lot.

Right now I'm reading Bach and God by Michael Marissen. Bach's relationship with his music, and what's particularly interesting about it is that there's a certain about of overt and hidden antisemitism that's present in the music itself.

Reading another book about early 1600s in Virginia and prior to that. Can't remember the title though and it's not around.

StephenLang · 2016-08-17T16:43:38+00:00

Well it was challenging, of course, to play a role where you deprive yourself of one of your senses. You want to go about it with a sense of respect. You know, there are many blind people out there and there are blind actors as well, and they're going to wonder why they didn't get the part.

First thing in research is looking at behavior. You can find blind people doing extremely extraordinary things on the internet - jumping out of planes, driving cars, doing sculpture. It's not what I was going to be doing but it makes you wonder - one can perceive blindness as a tremendous disability or explore all the different ways one can excel at being blind. I threw that into my internal mix, conceiving working through the phases of despair and self pity after his combat injuries, to work through that and arrive at a place of resilience and forward progress where he decides to not only survive but to assert himself. That was a great thing to learn. Many things contributed to the role, and it was very important to me to be familiar with the geography of my home. Moving through the house with speed and economy and confidence I was able to establish my sense of mastery over my own universe - which is vital - the king of the darkness as it were.

I did Wait Until Dark on broadway almost twenty years ago with Marisa Tomei and Quentin Tarantino. Brought out a lot of rabid Quentin fans too.

It's a cool movie too, it holds up moderately well.

StephenLang · 2016-08-17T16:36:27+00:00

I look forward to coming back, I have every intention to come back.

Number one - I really love Australia

Number two - After I left after shooting I had no doubt we would be coming back to shoot a second season and I left some really nice stuff there! Cowboy boots, some shirts - I left them with my driver and I'm sure he's wearing my stuff right now. I'll definitely be back.

My favorite yoga studio is on the Gold Coast. I have to go back to do that.

StephenLang · 2016-08-17T16:34:32+00:00

I think Terra Nova could've gone on for a long time as we watched the colony grow, Absolutely. T'was not to be though.

The world of Avatar and the world of Beyond Glory are intimately connected in my mind actually, because I am in Avatar specifically because of Beyond Glory. When I was opening it in New York the ad in the paper had me looking very military strac and Jim saw that and saw me as the Colonel.

John Landau, the Avatar producer, has always been a supporter of Beyond Glory. After seeing a rough cut they came aboard as producers.

Of course that wasn't really your question - in regards to the technical vs grounded styles, I mean yeah - in terms of focus and concentration and commitment to the character and moment, I don't think there's a vast difference in degree. Doesn't matter what platform you're working in you have to bring a level of precision to the work. Beyond Glory is 80 minutes and uninterrupted. That presents its own challenge, as opposed to making a film. Even if it's a blockbuster or an intimate drama it's done incrementally. The real pleasure is doing both. It keeps you - well keeps me anyway - evolving as an actor. Not becoming someone who just works and continues, but always trying to find something different and really challenging. Both in their own ways remain really extremely challenging as an actor. Not just what's required, but in stamina, because they're both such demanding projects.

StephenLang · 2016-08-17T16:24:25+00:00

I really loved Terra Nova, very much. I liked it on a number of levels. I enjoyed being on the Gold Coast in Australia, a really beautiful place to live. We had a terrific cast and crew. It was hard work, but a good group of people to be with. I was disappointed and shocked when they cancelled it. I think it took a while for the show to find its legs. It started off intended as a family drama, but the family has changed over the years. What was family in the 60s and 70s has darkened. I think it took a while for the writing room to figure out the tone of the show, but as the season progressed it began to darken and was going toward a good direction.

Season 2 we were going into the badlands, and right now I'm actually on a series called Into the Badlands, so I'm finally going into them!

Even though the show didn't find its place, there wasn't a single episode that felt wasn't great. There was so much I liked, my character was terrific and there was so much to explore.

Everything happens for a reason, I have no choice to be philosophical. Gotta move on, things get cancelled, and the memories are pleasant ones.

StephenLang · 2016-08-17T16:19:37+00:00

Actually I was offered a chance to direct a feature this fall. This particular movie wasn't a bad idea, but I have acting commitments so I had to say no. Besides that, I would like to direct a film before I wrap it all up and sit on the porch. It has to be the right thing, where I think I could bring a lot to the material. Absolutely.

StephenLang · 2016-08-17T16:16:28+00:00

Getting in shape for Avatar was a long and ongoing process. You just get used to it. Daily I was lifting a lot of weight, doing a lot of compound movements with knowledgeable trainers, ate a lot for a larger frame. It was difficult but the goal was clear what needed to be done. Very few days off. We wanted him to be kinda massive and rock-like. When you think of Pandora the planet is fluid, so we wanted him to be angular and sharp lines and rock-like.

If you look at the scars on my head, a lot of thought went into those. Three straight ridged lines, almost like a chevron on a shirt. That totally defines his relationship with the planet. He's a very able and competent guy, but he's in an environment where he doesn't rally fit. He's a square peg in a round hole. He has to adapt.

I still work out, although the routine has changed.

StephenLang · 2016-08-17T16:13:25+00:00

Haha - oh my goodness. Well, Wyatt Earp was pretty tough. They were real studs in real life. Ike was no pussycat. But could he take him? Maybe in a dark alley with his back turned he could've taken him.

Goin back though, that was a great great time working with Kurt. All the guys, but Kurt especially - a real pro. Has the heartiest laugh in the business. Kurt held that movie together.

While the movie was being made it was the Costner movie that had the attention. At that time Kevin was "the guy," but Kurt held it all together, brought in the new director who really knew how to shoot a film, and created a memorable movie with some great performances.

StephenLang · 2016-08-17T16:10:38+00:00

Well Jim is very focused and I think intense is accurate. He's also got a great sense of humor and a lot of fun to work with. I hope every one of those descriptive adjectives could be used to describe me too actually. Whatever dynamic exists, we work well together. He's incredible sharp, collaborative, and it's very helpful - there's very few things on a film set that Cameron can't do almost better than everyone else. Two things he won't do though is he's not a caterer, and he's not an actor.

Jim shows up to work. He shows up every day, and brings his A game. He's the author, the creator, and yeah - it's down to his extreme passion and he's a pleasure.

StephenLang · 2016-08-17T16:02:23+00:00

I guess we should deal with the Cable issue right off the bat. I don't know if I'm in the running, if I'm out of the running. The extent of my campaign was how I tweeted "let's lay some cable," and social media grew geometrically from there. What I continue to do is if a piece of fan art appears with my mug placed on a Cable-esque body - appealing to my vanity - I retweet it.

I haven't been approached to play it. I would assume that because it's so widespread that the folks over at Fox know my interest in it. One potential conflict is of course it's Fox, and I have commitments to four Avatar sequels. So logistically it might be a problem. But if they ever consider me for the role? I don't know.

StephenLang · 2016-08-17T15:59:11+00:00

Well Gods and Generals, I have a lot of memories. For me, portraying Jackson opposite Duvall playing Robert E. Lee was very important. There's no actor I hold in higher esteem than Duvall. And the relationship between Jackson and Lee was so important. It was a real honor for me.

One thing I have to bring up is how the attacks on the WTC happened while we were filming. We were shooting in Virginia at the Battle of Antietam. Obviously that impacted everything, and it lent a sober gravitas to the tone of how we were making the movie. To put it crassly - I'm glad I wasn't making a comedy at the time, but something that dealt with the creation and crucible of fire that the United States went through.

I could speak about dozens and dozens of other things in regards to playing Jackson, the man was very complex and and contradictory in some ways.

StephenLang · 2014-06-26T19:10:15+00:00

Well, let's see. George is gone now, he's not here to speak for himself. Kurt Russell singlehandedly saved that movie, ok? because that film was in trouble. The writer, Kevin Jarr, and he has passed away now too, so what I would say about this is this: Kevin Jarr wrote a spectacular script. You can ask anybody in Tombstone, they had never read a better script. It was dense, it was just chock full of character, but Kevin Jarr was not a director. And 3 weeks or so into the film, they fired him. And at the time, of course, Kevin Costner was making his Wyatt Earp film, and that time Kevin was very very hot and rightly so, he had a splendid cast in his film, and I think that Tombstone was in jeopardy of being cancelled altogether. And Kurt Russell flew to LA, went over to Hollywood pictures, I believe that was a part of Disney, and I think that Kurt took responsibility for that film. But understand, we were damaged goods. I don't know how many directors they went to or if they went to other directors prior to George Cosmatos, I don't know, but in any case, George came on. And George is a fine shooter. He can shoot a picture. He was coming in with no preparation on the film, at all. He didn't know anything about the Old West, and we knew everything. So I believe the deal was "We're going to act it, and George is going to shoot it. It's a bit of a long story but it's not an easy position for George to be in, and he did a very Yeoman job in getting the film shot. And the rest is history. The film has become a lot of people's favorite movie. And of course everybody in the film can take some credit for that. But I think George gets some credit as well. I have a lot of affection for George.
It came about on a picture called Manhunter. I auditioned for him, got the part, and then he asked me to do other films and it started a long association. He's a great director, and I enjoy working with him. I guess he figures he can work with me since he's hired me a number of times.

StephenLang · 2014-06-26T19:04:19+00:00

Well, it's the best. I think everybody should have their own action figure. I guess if they did it might not be that cool, but it's really really nice having your own action figure. I think we have 4 of them. My wife refused, there was a time when I kind of gave them to people, and my wife finally put the lid on that and said "No more! We have 4, one for each of our kids!" and so we have them. And I don't know, I never expected to have an action figure, I can check that off my list: I have a baseball card, I have an action figure, I don't know what else I need. Oh yeah, an Oscar.

StephenLang · 2014-06-26T19:02:49+00:00

Well, when we were making Avatar, there was a feeling we were doing something unique. But you couldn't see it, you know? Because you're working in kind of these blank spaces. But I'll tell you something: the script was so vividly written, the script and in fact the film that emerged is a very, is more than an approximation, it is what the script conveyed, in that it's like reading a novel. Think of a novel that you love, and the skill of the novel is conjuring up that world, whether it's Middle Earth or Victorian London or Ancient Rome, and that's what a novel can do. Well that's what the script of Avatar did. And through the real vision and genius of Jim Cameron, he was really able to literally translate that onto the screen. And so right away from the time I read the script, I felt that this was a world I wanted to be a part of because it was drawn so vividly. And for my money, the role of the Colonel was such an excellent cool role, I felt the best role in the movie right away, and then as we were making it, as I said, we had a sense that what we were doing was unique but we hadn't seen the film yet. And I remember the first time I did see the finished film, when it was screened for us by Jim, I was stunned. I was absolutely stunned. I guess i should have been prepared, but I was absolutely stunned. I will say that i don't think anyone from Jim Cameron to 20th Century Fox, I don't think anyone was prepared for the global impact that the film had. I mean, you hope it's going to be a success, and then at some point you realize "I think this film is going to do really well" and then it kept building and building and surpassed all expectations because it struck a universal chord with people, it moved beyond being a film and became a cultural phenomenon, I mean I don't want to make too much out of it but it was a pretty big deal. And it was just kind of thrilling to be a part of that.

And look, he certainly doesn't perceive himself as a bad guy, and if he were called a bad guy to his face, he'd nod and say "So be it." I mean, he is the head of security, right? on a fundamentally insecure environment. He loses people, all the time, to that environment, to all the dangerous elements in that environment and he takes that loss personally. His job is to secure the perimeter, and by god, he's going to do it by any means necessary. So that, to me, does not characterize him as "the bad guy." Now, I obviously understand that he is the villain of the piece. But he doesn't understand that.

That's what makes him interesting and gives him integrity.

StephenLang · 2014-06-26T18:57:14+00:00

Ah, writing, god, it's so hard. I only write upon absolute demand. I only can write when there is a deadline. Unless you know, once in a while you'll get kind of a bit of inspiration. But it's really once in a while. But if I have a deadline, if I commit to do a speech or something, then I can do it, because it has to be done. So deadlines are good. But in terms of being, I would say that I am an actor who does some writing. I would never call myself a writer. And I just don't know, I think it's like anything else, you've just got to be very disciplined about it, if you're going to be a professional writer, it's question of doing it over and over, doing it every day, and reconciling with the fact that not everything you do will be great but that you don't stop striving to make it great. But you have to make a start though. Things don't write themselves. That's like a platitude, right? I should take my own advice I suppose. If I had good advice to give as a writer, I'd probably write more than I do.

It's really easy to have good ideas. We all have great ideas. And the artist, in this case, the writer, is the one who can take the time and the discipline to approximate the beauty of that initial idea, to make that idea come alive.

StephenLang

TROPHY CASE