Ryan Reynolds - "Van Wilder" Interview
Cinema Confidential
By Sean Chavel in Los Angeles

The National Lampoon movies have not had a successful entry in many years. That could all change with "National Lampoon’s Van Wilder," starring Ryan Reynolds as a seven-year college student who won’t say yes to graduation. The director Walt Becker calls Reynolds’ performance as the ultimate college party animal as “brash, confident and full of life." Van Wilder is the guy who gets the party started, gets nerds dates with beautiful women and boosts the college basketball team’s morale with halftime pep talks. 

Reynolds is famous for his starring role on the ABC comedy series "Two Guys and a Girl." He has two films coming out later this year including "Buying the Cow" and "Finder’s Fee." He’s hoping that good word of mouth will get the college crowd and anyone with a raunchy sense of humor to see his latest film "Van Wilder" which opens April 5.

How similar are you to your character? 
Ryan: I was an introvert in high school and an extrovert at home. I certainly didn’t explore that social scene that this movie has at all.

How did you get this role?
I did a movie with Walt Becker called "Buying the Cow." Ironically, it’s coming out after Van Wilder. Artisan Studios saw "Buying the Cow," which I have a supporting role in. They saw that I was [their] Van Wilder. Their dream was where’s the box office [clout]? I did a movie four years ago that my mom went to see. [Laughs] So that doesn’t really count that I will sell to foreign [markets]. 

What was your anticipation when you learned you knew that you were going to become involved with the National Lampoon legacy?
It’s a legacy that I grew up with. I loved Animal House, even if it was before my time. All the Vacation movies. We don’t ever have to talk about Loaded Weapon [Laughs]. It was a pretty bad movie. But, you know I was pretty worried up until last week where I snuck into a screening of the movie and saw six hundred kids reacting to something that I did. They were rolling with laughter. It was the most incredible thing I’ve ever experienced. 

You were relieved?
It was amazing watching all that work pay off. Walt was gracious enough to let me sit in the editing room for every cut of the movie. I learned so much about doing. 

Since there is a lot sexually raunchy material were you ever at all concerned about how this was going to work? 
Nudity I’m fine with. I’m lucky I get to wear pants. But I’m not going to make an argument for gross-outs being a valid element in a contemporary comedy. Some people say it is and some people say it isn’t. I don’t care because ninety percent of this movie is character driven. [Recollects] Two days into shooting I was approached by some of the producers saying, ‘Look. Don’t you want to step things up a little bit?’ I said, ‘Yeah, I do and I will. You have a character that is going to be in every scene of the movie. Let me pick my battles. Let me reel in it right now and earn the bigger, broader moments later.’ Two weeks later everyone realized what we were making. 

When the filmmakers believed they found their Van Wilder in you, what was your reaction?
I was actually really flattered. It read like a Ferris Bueller for the 21st century. I jumped at the chance at being a part of that. I came in [prepared] for the screen test. I had a whole speech prepared.

Was your performance based on any person in your life? 
No, not really. It is the same process as if you write a character. You have to shape it. I brought out the biggest parts of my personality… The movie has a love story and all that. Um, we’re not making National Lampoon’s The Piano. [Laughs] But that’s the great thing about doing a National Lampoon movie. You don’t go in there and expect Sense and Sensibility. 

In this movie you have a make-out scene with an 82-year old. What was that like?
There’s nothing like a mature but darting tongue. [Laughs] She took her false tooth out, and said, ‘Would this be better?’ Like a fine wine or like the most of Napa, it worked very well with me. 

What are audiences going to expect with this film? 
It’s going to appeal to that American Pie crowd. People actually like our movie more which is amazing. It was also appeal to anyone who likes the National Lampoon brand. If you liked Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. If you liked the pacing and style of Chevy Chase and Vacation. My brother saw it – who is one of my greatest influences comedically speaking – and he loved it. That was the only person I was truly nervous about. 

Did it win your mom’s approval?
I don’t know! My mom? [Laughs] Can you spell out approval involvement?