Jason Mantzoukas on Acting with De Niro, His Podcast Ruining His Life & Percy Jackson Series

TL;DR

Jason Mantzoukas shares insights about his role in Percy Jackson and experiences in comedy.

Transcript

our next guest plays a Greek god a role he was born to inhabit in a new adaptation of the Beloved children's book series Percy Jackson and the Olympians you can watch it starting Wednesday on Disney plus please say hello to Jason [Applause] manukas how are you have you ever shaved your whole body and oiled it up like Zack Efron did here's the thing... Read More

Key Insights

• 🔚 Jason Mantzoukas captures the essence of his character Mr. D in Percy Jackson and showcases his comedic talents through improvisation.
• 🧑‍🏭 Working with seasoned actors like Robert De Niro provides valuable insights and drives innovation in a comedic actor's craft.
• 🚨 Podcasts like How Did This Get Made emerge from organic conversations, expanding into platforms that influence how audiences perceive films.
• 👶 The cultural resonance of children's literature continues to thrive, with new adaptations reigniting interest among younger audiences.
• ❓ Mantzoukas’s approach to comedy blends spontaneous creativity and an understanding of audience expectations, enhancing his appeal.
• 🫵 The evolution of streaming algorithms influences content viewing, making audiences more aware of the absurdities in filmmaking today.
• 🛟 Mantzoukas reflects on the importance of capturing honest reactions in comedy, drawing on real-life experiences to enrich his performances and narratives.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Jason feel about playing Mr. D in Percy Jackson?

Jason Mantzoukas expressed excitement about playing Mr. D, emphasizing that he was unaware of the character's popularity until he began receiving enthusiastic reactions from friends with kids. He found it rewarding to connect with young fans who eagerly shared insights about the character.

Q: What experience did Jason share about working with Robert De Niro?

Mantzoukas recounted working with De Niro on Dirty Grandpa, where he felt nervous and pressured to justify his comedic improvisation. Initially, he perceived De Niro’s stoic demeanor as disinterest, fearing he would get fired, but later appreciated De Niro's subtle acknowledgment of his humor.

Q: What inspired the concept for Jason's podcast, How Did This Get Made?

The podcast was inspired when Jason and other comedians discussed the absurdity of Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps at a party. They realized their conversations were both engaging and funny, leading to the idea of a comedic podcast that explores bizarre movies and their production stories.

Q: How has the podcast affected Jason's movie-watching habits?

Jason revealed that making the podcast has negatively affected his movie selections; algorithms now primarily suggest laughably absurd movies. He jokingly noted that every streaming service tries to guide him to strange films, often with outrageous premises, that he feels obliged to watch.

Q: What is Mantzoukas's comedic style during improvisation?

His improvisational style includes acting instinctively and creating humorous dialogue in response to the energy around him. Mantzoukas shared that during his scenes with De Niro, he engaged in long improvisations, focusing on delivering comedy rather than sticking strictly to scripted lines.

Q: What has been the audience's response to Percy Jackson's adaptation?

With the series being based on a hugely popular children’s book, Mantzoukas noted that there’s a significant buzz among children and parents alike. He emphasized how excited kids are to see his portrayal of Mr. D, indicative of the narrative's cultural impact.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Jason Mantzoukas discusses his role as Mr. D in the upcoming Disney+ adaptation of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, highlighting the immense popularity of the book series among children.

• He reminisces about his previous experience working with Robert De Niro in Dirty Grandpa, sharing humorous anecdotes about improvising and De Niro's stoic reactions.

• Mantzoukas reveals the impact of his podcast, How Did This Get Made, on his movie-watching habits, and the humorous absurdity in many movies explored on the show.