CONNOR PREPARES FOR THE FUTURE!
Reported By:
René de Jong
Tuesday, April 30, 2002
Nick Stahl, star of Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, recently gave
EW.com the first interview about playing John Connor
and it’s heavy demands.
EntertainmentWeekly.com:
Is this the kind of role that demands abs of steel?
I'm not quite there yet, but for the first few weeks of filming I have very few scenes, so that buys me some time to get in better shape. I like physical roles like this since I need excuses to work out; I haven't the willpower to do it on my own.
Has training forced you to cut out all bad habits?
Not really. After working out, there's nothing like a cigarette. And I figure that your body just works that much harder if you have the lungs of a 4-year-old.
Everyone from Edward Norton to Shane West was rumored to be up for this role. How tough was the audition process?
I auditioned about five times, and there were three screen tests, which is more than I've done for any movie. But the director, Jonathan Mostow ["U-571"] is a pretty thorough guy -- probably because everyone knows there's going to be constant comparisons to the first two films.
Did they let you read the top-secret script before you auditioned?
The first time I did a screen test, I had to come to them, go into a room, and sign all these documents before I could even look at it. And they only let me read the first two acts. Don't ask me anything about it, because if I tell you, someone will come to my house and kill me.
How difficult was it stepping into a role created by another actor?
I haven't talked to Edward Furlong. The fact is, it's been 10 years since the last movie, and people change, so it's like creating a new character. I think audiences love these movies so much they'll give me the benefit of the doubt.
What was it like meeting Schwarzenegger? Were you tempted to imitate him?
When you meet him you realize just how bad all those imitations are; no one else can really do him. I had these nightmares that he'd be a vicious anti-smoker and he'd throw me into the gym and scream at me, but he's very nice and incredibly humble. He has a gym in an 18-wheeler that follows him wherever he goes, and he said I could use it. I may take him up on that.
You made your feature debut as the little boy in "Man Without A Face." Do you ever see your costar/director Mel Gibson?
It's not like we go to bars and hang out. I saw him at an after-party not long ago, and it was great to see him. But it was weird -- I'm actually taller than he is now.
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René de Jong
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