Guy Pearceis the first to admit that he never wanted to be a movie star.
“I just wanted to work as an actor.
Even then, being famous was disarming.
Confidential” and break into Hollywood.
Though Pearce is definitely famous, it’s now on his own terms.
That’s how acting should be."
On being told playing a drag queen would ruin his career and auditioning for ‘L.A.
Was there any hesitation, coming off the fame of “Neighbours,” to play a drag queen?
Guy Pearce:Well, I didn’t sit there thinking things were good after “Neighbours.”
Nobody wanted to put the guy from a TV soap in their movie.
So I wasn’t riding a good wave.
And that was fine with me.
There was no question in me doing it.
So that was luck that I held my ground.
And I’m still with the agency, but that agent left.
So when “L.A.
Confidential” came along, were you finally at ease about your career?
Was your goal to get work in the States?
I never had any desire to get to America.
I’d rather be out of work in Australia.
And I said, “I’m not trying to work in Hollywood.
I barely can work in Australia.
Why would I try?”
She said, “Meet this one agent.”
We met and I got along great with him, his name is Chris Andrews.
He said, “I’ll represent you.”
I don’t have enough money."
He said, “Come stay at my house.”
What was the audition like?
When I first went in, it was just a reading on tape.
Confidential" director] Curtis [Hanson] wasn’t even in the room.
I was like, “No, I’m not fucking flying back.”
But he couldn’t say I had the role.
How did Curtis see you as Ed Exley in that role?"
Turns out Curtis never saw “Priscilla.”
It call came from that first reading on tape that I did.
How close were we to an “L.A.
Confidential” author James] Ellroy about specifically writing a sequel."
It would have been ten years later.
And he wanted me to be involved.
I told him I’m on board, no question.
And Russell [Crowe] would return as well.
It was a no-brainer for me.
That got developed to a certain degree and then Curtis got sick and sadly passed in 2016.
Instead of the director calling you, you called the director.
I just felt if other actors are in the running he should know I really wanted to do it.
I believe actors like Charlie Sheen and Alec Baldwin were also in the running.
I have no idea.
I remember Jeff Goldblum was in the mix, and Brad Pitt was the first ask.
Also, I was cheap.
Are you surprised you haven’t worked with Nolan since?
But we found out because Chris offered me a role in “Batman Begins.”
So I get there and he goes, “Hey… do you wanna see the Batmobile?”
And we went out to dinner and I flew home just puzzled.
So that never happened.
ThenChris talked to me about “The Prestige.
“He was talking to Jude Law and I about it.
But, again, Warner Bros. was involved.
And listen, if I can only work withChris Nolanonce in my life, I’m fine with that.
(Ed note: WB and Nolan did not respond to BI’s requests for comment.)
After that you didn’t make a studio film again for years.
How did your experience on that movie shape your career going forward?
I definitely realized that I wasn’t cut out for the studio world.
Did that leave a bad taste in your mouth?
I just wanted to get back to what I felt comfortable doing.
I just felt like the studio world was too big for me.
Right after doing that I went and reshot the ending of “The Count of Monte Cristo.”
So at that time I was fried and I had enough of Hollywood.
I was a pretty horrible person to everyone around me because of exhaustion.
So I realized I’m a character actor, I’m not that guy.
So I took a big step back.
I think Aldrich Killian was probably more fun.
Did you know what the hell was happening in “Prometheus”?
And I had the benefit of listening to Ridley [Scott] talk about it before we started shooting.
I loved it, but it was a tough experience physically.
I couldn’t sit down because of this metal frame thing.
So between shots they would just lean me against the wall.
The pressure isn’t on me.
It’s a good character.
So I got to do what I want to do in that world.
This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
