Caffeinated Clint
Genre fave Joe Reegan (”The Crazies”, ”Jeepers Creepers 2”) puts the lid back on the corn syrup, if even temporarily, for “I Melt With You”, an ensemble drama – with thrillific elements – featuring the likes of Rob Lowe, Carla Gugino and Jeremy Piven. Clint spoke to the up-and-comer on his return from Sundance, where the promising new flick played.
Joe, how did you snag the role in “I Melt With You”? Had the producers seen you in something previously that caught their attention?
Once the director, Mark Pellington and Heidi Levitt assembled this incredible ensemble cast, every young twenty-something in town wanted to be a part of the project. I auditioned like every other actor, and through a series of meetings with Heidi and then eventually Mark, I landed the role. However, when I first met with everyone, I was approached to play a different character, and after meeting with Mark, he asked if I would play the character of “Cole” opposite Sasha Grey. Of the supporting roles in the film, to me, this was by far, the most difficult, scary, and challenging supporting role. Mark is a director that as an actor, you immediately say yes, as he truly loves actors and knows exactly what he wants from them.
Rob Cowen was a producer on the remake of “The Crazies”, which I had shot earlier in the year, and he is also a producer on “I Melt With You.”
We hadn’t seen or spoken to each other since being on location for “The Crazies” almost 8 months prior. That being said, when the opportunity presented itself to work with Rob again, I was thrilled.
The film is about a group of people whose lives intersect. Who are you playing?
I play a character named “Cole”, who, by sheer coincidence, comes into contact with our four main protagonists. My character is exploring and searching for who he truly is, finding out who he does and doesn’t want to be. Drugs and sexual exploration are involved, and inevitably, yet innocently, my actions set off a chain reaction of events that send everyone spiraling down the rabbit hole.
Obviously you don’t get to work with the entire cast – simply based on how the film is structured – so who do you share scenes with?
My most difficult and challenging scenes were shared with Christian McKay and Sasha Grey.
I actually worked with almost everyone except Carla Gugino. I have to say I was pretty jealous that Thomas Jane got to be chased around by Carla in a sheriff’s uniform and not me. She is an incredible talent, and frankly…she’s ridiculously hot!
The house in the movie was all there was. Thomas, Rob, Jeremy, Sasha, Arielle, and I all hung out in between takes by a huge fireplace overlooking the Pacific. Thomas played the guitar and smoked cigars, and we all were taking pictures with our iphones, laughing, and complaining about how miserable our noses felt after snorting fake cocaine for 12 hours straight.
Lot of vets onboard the film. Anyone have any advice or take you under their wing?
No one specifically, but being able to hang with and talk, and watch Jeremy Piven work, was one of the best acting lessons I’ve ever had.
Sasha Grey was a huge support and is incredibly intelligent. During our most difficult scene, she was a complete support system for me, and having her now, in my life, as a friend…she’s awesome.
The entire cast was incredibly supportive and passionate about what we were doing, and it was humbling to be a part of the experience.
You’ve done quite a few thrillers and horror movies… is that your favorite genre to work in, or just the way things have worked out?
I think you have to work very hard and for a very long time in order to have the opportunity to decide what projects you choose to be a part of. For younger actors, a lot of what’s available falls into the horror/thriller genre. Is it my favorite genre? No. Did I feel like I won an Oscar the day I found out I booked 5 lines in Jeepers Creepers 2? Yes!!!
How did you enjoy Sundance? What was the reaction like to “I Melt With You”?
Returning to Sundance with another film, almost 6 years since my film, “Swallow” premiered there was a huge honor. I had a great time. Little older… hopefully a little wiser.
Sundance is where I got my start and I hope to be back often. Snowboarding, great movies, great artists everywhere; can’t beat it.
As far as the reaction to the movie; the reaction from the audience at the premiere was great. It’s intense. Reading the script was intense. Watching it for the first time here at Sundance was intense. It’s a brutally honest film and I think the audience was on board 100 percent.
What’s next, Joe?
I had to leave the morning after the premiere back to Los Angeles to complete an episode of Castle for ABC that I had begun shooting at the beginning of the year. Then it’s back to the real world. Class, reading scripts, auditioning. And then auditioning, and then auditioning, and more auditioning!
