There is obviously a lot going on in the industry with all the revelations of sexual harassment and assault, with something new every day it seems — like James Toback.
convince you to take on the role of Lyndon B. Johnson?
Rob had the same kind of attitude — even more extreme than me — about LBJ because he was draft age. He hated LBJ because he might send him to his death. A really good friend of mine who’s a producer says, “You’ve got to play LBJ.” And I said, “Well dude, I’m sorry, but I just don’t like him because of Vietnam.” LBJ War for the Planet of the Apes But I decided that I would at least read up on him a little bit. And it softened me a little. And then literally right at that time Rob Reiner calls me and says “I want you to play LBJ.” It’s too bizarre. And I do think, although you can’t overlook genocide, he did a lot of great things.
How do you choose projects lately?
Things have gotten better and better in terms Three Billboards Wilson of choices. And I’m really psyched about the last few years of unbelievably cool projects. Even the ones that didn’t work at the box office, I feel very lucky to be part of. I watched LBJ in Austin with people who either knew LBJ or knew Lady Bird. Never would there be a more right audience for saying, “No, this is [expletive], this isn’t good.” Their response was so gratifying. The Glass Castle The Edge of Seventeen
See, I didn’t know anything about James Toback, but some people say he was a less wellkept secret. But these guys, it’s good they’re getting their comeuppance. On the other hand it’s like the last thing I want to talk about.
Do you feel a responsibility to do anything? How can men in this industry help this era end?
Well, I can’t imagine anybody doing anything now! Who’s going to be that stupid? I think it’s ended. I really think it’s ended. On the other hand, who knows after time how things shift, but I can’t imagine anybody, even if that’s their inclination, behaving that way. So it’s shifted. It has happened. It’s seismic; it’s a 9.0 earthquake. Tectonic plates have moved. —AP