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An interview with Macaulay Culkin |
Macaulay Culkin's impressive "comeback" after a 10-year hiatus continues this week with the release of the film "Saved!" Culkin plays Roland, a wheelchair-bound teen who attends a Christian high school with his sister (played by Mandy Moore) and his friend Mary (played by Jenna Malone). Not your typical teen film, the unique "Saved!" explores the conflict Christian teenagers face when presented with situations that challenge their beliefs.
Culkin recently sat down with Entertainment editor Jenny Stewart to discuss his role in "Saved!," the "coincidence" of doing three gay projects in a row and his attraction to Johnny Depp.
When you first read the script for "Saved!" how long did it take you to decide you wanted to do the film?
Right after I finished the script. It was so great, and so original and so ... funny. It was different from anything I'd read.
There are a lot of interesting characters in the movie. Were you interested in playing any of the other characters?
No, I really wanted to play Roland right off the bat. He was so charming. I really liked the way his character unfolded. And actually one of the things I really liked about the script was how each character starts off as a caricature almost -- you've got the popular girl, the rebellious girl, the "quiet cripple." So there were all those elements, and I loved how those stereotypes were all broken throughout the course of the movie. And I really liked Roland's sense of humor and how he opens up after a while, you know?
And Roland is very funny. In fact, you have a very funny dance number in the film -- especially considering your character is in a wheelchair. Was that in the script, or did you come up with it all by yourself?
[Laughs.] Nope -- that was all me.
Really?
Yup, that was pure Culkin.
Did it take you long to learn to work the wheelchair? You were quite convincing.
Well, I have a bachelor pad with a lot of room so [laughs] the wheelchair became a really popular piece of furniture in my house and I got a lot of practice on it! But for the film, I went to train at a rehab facility, and there was a guy there named Derek, who was a great guy. He had only been in a wheelchair for six months, so I trained with him. Which was good, because we were both basically learning how to use it at the same time.
Do you still have the wheelchair in your bachelor pad?
No, I don't.
The film has an important gay subplot involving Jenna's character and her boyfriend's homosexuality. You're young -- did you ever have a similar experience growing up where a teenage friend of yours was gay, and if so, how did you deal with it?
There were a couple of kids in my high school who came out when we were still in school, and it was actually pretty well accepted. It was a small school and so it just, it was never a big deal, which is, you know, great to see. Also, my godfather is gay, and he's been around me my entire life. With him, it was never questioned, so it was almost not even a thought.
As everyone knows, you were gone for almost 10 years. You took that break from acting where you finished school, just did whatever teenagers do, right?
Essentially, yeah.
And then when you came back, your first three projects were "Party Monster," an episode of "Will & Grace" and now "Saved!". That's three gay projects in a row. Now ...
[Laughs.]
[Laughing.] Yeah. So was this a ... coincidence, or a conscious thing or ...?
[Laughing] Ummm ... gosh! You're right, and I hadn't even realized. That's funny! Hmmm. OK, well first, I didn't really view "Saved!" as a gay film, but it does deal with gay issues and stuff like that. But [laughing] it's not like it was a conscious decision saying "OK, I'm only going to do things that have gay appeal." I also did other things, like "Madame Melville" on the stage in London, and I also did a Harmony Korine video, so I have done different kinds of things. But, yeah, I have no problem or qualms with dealing with any of those issues.
Which is interesting, because you seem to have a large gay male following. Why do you think they like you so much?
[Laughs.] I have no idea! Honestly, I don't know. But you are so right, because I can tell from my fan letters. They are mostly from gay men, and I have no idea why. But, you know, it's flattering.
Which makes me wonder: If there were a script for a great same-sex love story and they wanted you for the lead, and they said you could have your pick of any actor to play your love interest, which two actors would you request and why?
[Laughs.] Hmmm. To be my lover?
Yes.
In my movie.
Yes.
Hmmm. Well, gosh. I am totally straight, but I would still sleep with Johnny Depp.
Good choice. Man, Johnny wins every time!
And, OK, who else would I pick? Gosh! Let me come back to that one so I can think about it more.
I met the director Bruce LaBruce at Sundance this year and I asked him the same question: "Who would you want to play your lover in a same-sex film?" Before I even finished the sentence, he blurted out, "Macaulay Culkin!" And he said it with this tone like he was almost offended. Like, "For God's sake, who else would it be?"
[Laughing.] Really? OK, well that's my second choice then.
Bruce LaBruce?
No, me! I'd have a sex scene with myself.
Well, that's a good answer. Speaking of directors, have you met John Waters?
I have.
Has he ever approached you to do any projects with him?
He has, but there has been nothing just yet that has really grabbed me at this point. But I've read articles where he has talked about me and stuff.
Has it ever occurred to you that you resemble him in such a way that you could actually play John Waters?
Really? You think so? You think I should play him?
Yes, I think you could totally play him! And what about Gus Van Sant? You seem ripe for a project with him as well; have you met him?
We've met before and we have in fact talked about a couple of different things. When he was doing "Sara" with J.T. Leroy, we talked about doing that, but I don't think he's doing that anymore. But yeah, he and I have definitely talked about doing things, but nothing has come to fruition yet.
During that time you were away, were there any roles that came along that you turned down but that you now think "Damn, I wish I had done that"?
Not really, because during that time, I was so disassociated and disconnected from that whole world that it's almost like it was never even a thought, you know? But lord knows what things were turned down on my behalf just because I wasn't picking up the phone. Also, I don't regret that time I took at all, because it was something I needed to do.
I was thinking about that. You must have been about 13 or so when you started that break. And I think it was the same year that River Phoenix died. Did his death have any affect on you? Him being a child star and everything?
Not really, no. Because at that time, I was already done. I mean, it was a sad scenario, his dying. That it had to happen, almost. But I also think that woke a lot of people up, you know? The young Hollywood thing and that self-destructive mentality.
Your guest appearance on "Will & Grace" was very funny, and you said you had a ball on the set. So are there any funny stories?
[Lights up.] Yeah, it was a blast on "Will & Grace." And I got to do most of my scenes with Megan Mullally, so I mean, that alone was just aweome! I was just hooked from the first day, you know? Even from the table read, I was just hooked! I just had so much fun, and they, like, really let me in there -- they let me play around. It was a great experience.
You've been acting most of your life. Is there any other career you would want to pursue, or is acting it for you?
I always joke around saying, "Oh, this is just an itch I need to scratch, and I'm only going to do it till I'm 30 and then retire and become a writer," you know?
Really? What do you write?
Well, at this point, I almost can't imagine doing anything other than acting, because this is what I've chosen for myself, and I do enjoy it so much. And, yes, I really enjoy writing, and I write a lot, but at this point, it's kind of only for myself. But I do enjoy it, so who knows what will happen.
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