Seann William Scott on More American Pie Movies, New Action Comedy Bad Man | Interview

Photo Credit: Vertical Releasing

ComingSoon Senior Editor Brandon Schreur spoke to Seann William Scott about the new action comedy movie Bad Man, which is out now on Digital. Scott discussed his character in the film, whether or not another American Pie movie could ever happen, and more.

“Bad Man, starring Sean William Scott, Rob Riggle, and Johnny Simmons, centers around Sam Evans (Simmons) as he tackles a meth epidemic, but is sidelined on arrival by Bobby Gaines (Scott), an undercover agent,” a description of the plot reads. “Despite Evans’ local ties, Gaines is hailed as a hero until suspicions arise on Gaines, which unravels a complex narrative.”

Brandon Schreur: I want to start just by asking how this project kind of came to fruition for you. What’s the story of how you got cast in this movie, Bad Man, and what made you the most excited to join this project?

Seann William Scott: You know, I’m not sure if [Michael Diliberti], our writer/director, had always had me in mind for it. But I think he might have. Either way, it was like three years ago, I think, that I was sent this script. I think when I was reading it, I was like, ‘Holy shit, he wants me for this?’ The script was really great. And it was such a great part. Very different from anything I’ve had a chance to do, so that was really exciting. It was a no-brainer for me. I just thought it was an awesome character, based on a true story, and had elements of some of my favorite movies. Really dark. When I got a chance to meet with Mike, I was like, ‘Wow, this guy is really fantastic.’ It was pretty easy after that. Then it was really just about, ‘Let’s get the money, let’s go make this movie.’

Totally. I have to say, I loved your character in here, Seann. He comes off at first as such a macho badass cop, he’s going to show everyone’s what what. Then the more the movie goes along, the more it paints a totally different picture of him. The comedy to it all, I just really liked it. Reading the script for the first time, what stuck out to you the most about playing this guy, Bobby Gaines? What was the most fun for you to kind of get into character and play?

Well, thanks for everything you said, man. It’s funny, I remember the character — or, at least how I interpreted it — the character, on the page, was a little darker. Which I love, I love to go dark. I don’t know, I always gravitate towards darker characters. Or even when I watch movies, they tend to be on the heavier side. So that was appealing to me. When we were filming it, we were just improving a lot more, comedically. Then it was just fun to do. But I think the main appeal, initially, was that the character was a real person, based on a real person. And just, from what I remember, it being pretty serious, but then we kind of f—ed around with it when we were filming and added some weird shit.

I think it was that combination of, he feels really intense and kind of scary. And, yet, he’s going to wipe his ass with the Bill of Rights and try to make somebody eat it.

Such a good scene.

I think it was maybe the crazy element of this character that I liked a lot.

Yeah, totally. You mentioned the based on a true story part, and that’s what I wanted to ask about next. I had not heard about any of this; when that title screen came up, I was like, ‘Oh, we’re in for something here.’ The more it goes along, the more it’s like, ‘This really happened?!’ How much do you know about the true story, and what kind of research did you have to do when you got this role in terms of the things that actually happened?

You know, I didn’t know about this story before. It was afterwards, I think Mike sent me — there was some sort of news program that did a special on him. And I was like, ‘Holy shit.’ The guy is fascinating. I think, for me, it was like, is it the kind of character that’s worth, you know, meeting and trying to mimic this person? He wasn’t as well-known enough to have that be effective. So I thought, ‘Let me just go there with my own interpretation of who this guy is.’

I’m also not a good enough actor, dude. I’m not going to go in there and, like, become this guy. I’m not that good. So I was just going to go in there and do the best I can.

That makes total sense. You mentioned the improv, too, and that’s something I also wanted to ask about. Especially the scenes you have with Rob Riggle, you guys bounce off each other in such a funny way. I could just pick up on the chemistry. How much of that was actually improv, and how much was in the script? 

I mean, Rob is just like unbelievable. Those scenes with Rob, that was all him. I was just trying to keep up. The stuff that he can do, it’s effortless, and it’s just on a different level. I’ve worked with some amazing people. But the whole cast, too. The whole cast is so talented and so up for improvising. We’re coming up with these little gems. There was kind of a wild, unpredictable energy on set.

But Rob, I think for me, when I’m in a scene with him, my focus is just to not ruin it. You just never know what he’s going to say and how he’s going to say it. When he does a scene, you can feel, on a set, everyone’s anticipation of what’s going to happen. And then everybody is trying so hard not to screw up the take. He’s just insane. He’s incredible.

Yeah. That all comes across in the movie, too. I was laughing, and you can really tell that this was probably so much fun to make.

Yeah, it was.

Speaking of the rest of the cast, I loved the scenes when it’s with you, Johnny Sims, and the late Chance Perdomo. It’s kind of just like the blind leading the blind. They’re putting their trust in you, but they’re maybe not the guy they should be putting their trust in. The way that all plays out was so fun to watch. What was it like working with those two, as screen-partners, and finding that connection in those scenes?

Oh, man. I mean, yeah. It was so much fun. The three of us in real life got along so well. The chemistry was there. And they’re just so talented. Talk about improvising — just incredible. Obviously, incredible actors, but the ability to be spontaneous and be in the moment. Not just be able to respond, but also to challenge you and throw things out. There was so much of that. I think that’s my favorite stuff that made it in.

But, yeah, it’s funny because Chance’s character is in awe of my guy. Just like, ‘Oh, yeah, look at this guy!’ And Johnny is like, ‘Something isn’t right about this guy.’ It was a really fun energy between the three of us.

He’s the one who challenges you, but  if he does, he gets punched in the face. I loved that.

[Laughs] Exactly.

You also mentioned Michael Diliberti, I’d love to know what it was like working with him. This is his first feature, ever — which, what a movie to come out with. Bad Man is awesome. What do you look for when you’re boarding a project with a first-time director? How do you know it’s going to work?

With Mike, it was just obvious. He’s been doing this for a long time. He’s worked on big movies with incredible people. And he’s just insanely smart. When we first met, it didn’t seem like it was even close to having a conversation with a guy who had never directed a movie before.

I’ve worked with a lot of first-time directors, and there have been some times where I’ve gotten on the film and like, ‘Oh no. I don’t know.’ You kind of have to go, ‘I might have to direct myself in this and do the best I can, I’m not sure if this person is totally ready.’ That’s happened a couple of times. Actually, not with movies that ended up getting made, I don’t think. Maybe some that I was attached to and then they didn’t get made. But I think you kind of want to know if they really know what they’re doing. Do they know how to shoot a movie? Do they know, like, how to work with an actor? All of the stuff that you’d imagine.

I totally get it. As far as other projects go, I’d love to ask you about American Pie, too. I’m such a fan of the franchise. I know we had American Reunion in 2012, but do you think that’s a franchise you’d ever want to revisit? Do you think there are more stories to tell, there, or do you think that time has come and gone?

I don’t really know. I mean, for me, I love that character so much. If there was a great script, everybody came back, and we had an opportunity to surprise people, yeah. But I don’t know if it will ever happen. I think the thing is, they’re not really making R-rated comedies that much anymore. I’m sure it would take a couple of R-rated movies to succeed before studios started to go, ‘Oh, I guess there’s an appetite for these kinds of movies again.’ But as far as being willing to go do another movie and be with all these wonderful people again with this super-fun character, one hundred percent. If it was a good script.

Right. I’m sure, and I’m hoping. Especially with the new Naked Gun movie, I’m hoping that kind of paves the way to more R-rated comedies. 

Yeah, that was awesome.

Seann, I also have to declare myself as one of the biggest fans of the Becky franchise who is out there in the entire world. There might be bigger fans than me, I don’t know, but I love those movies so much. The second one, when you’re the bad guy, is so much fun.

Thank you. Thank you so much. That was so much fun.

I’m curious, say they made a Becky 3, do you have like a dream-cast for that movie? I mean, it was first Kevin James, and then you. Have you thought at all about who you’d want to come after you?

You know what, so I’m friends with the writer/directors of the second one. And they were working on a third one. It was Neil Patrick Harris who was the villain. I don’t remember — they weren’t able to finish the movie, which really sucks. I saw like a rough trailer of what they had. It was so good. It was so good. It was kind of aesthetically similar to the second one, where it felt like a graphic novel. And, yeah, it sucks. I don’t know what happened. But they had Neil Patrick Harris. I think he was playing — I don’t know, he was obviously the bad guy. Just the stuff that I saw, the footage, was awesome. If you liked the movie, maybe there’s a way to somehow convince — I can’t remember who was making the movie — to finish it.

That is so up my alley. I want to see that so bad, now. Seann, one last question for you, I also just wanted to ask about Shifting Gears. That show became some a phenomenon in the sitcom world after the first season. Now you’ve got Season 2 coming out next month. Now that you’ve had more time with Tim Allen and Kat Dennings, what can we expect for Season 2?

Thanks for the love, man. You know, I love this show so much. It’s the most fun. I had no idea how fun a sitcom would be. But we’re three episodes in. It seems like, with most shows, the first season, they’re just kind of trying to figure out what works, how to write for certain actors, and what sucks. I can tell, in this second season, that the writing — I guess they have more information on how to write effectively for not just the story, but for the actors. I think it’s really, really funny. I’m really excited for people to see it. I hope people love it because I love doing it. I hope we get the chance to do this for a while.

But, yeah, it’s amazing. I mean, I’m here now. I go down to the stage, and every day I get to see Tim Allen. We’re talking football. I’m like, ‘I’m talking football with Tim Allen.’ No big deal!

I mean, that’s pretty cool.

It’s pretty cool. I go home and I’m like, ‘C’mon. This is insane.’ I was literally talking to Tim Allen about the Detroit Lions today. And he got mad at me for bringing up the game because they lost.

Yup. I’m from Michigan.

Oh, you are? Okay. I’m from Minnesota. But he’s like, ‘Why’d you bring that up? Go away.’

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Thanks to Seann William Scott for taking the time to discuss Bad Man.

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