Wes Bentley Pete’s Dragon interview
Having his son see him in a Disney Film
Wes Bentley is more known for his more dramatic roles from American Beauty to his latest role on American Horror Story so one would think of him in a Disney movie let alone playing a dad. That said, he was excited to be starring in his first Disney movie, mentioning that he has been a long time Disney fan and how he wanted to do a movie his children could seen while they are young. His son was actually accompanying him to the Dragon’s Pete premiere and was excited to actually see his dad in a film. Up until then for obvious reasons, his son has not seen him in anything except a few words.
Becoming a Disney Dad
After meeting Director David Lowery on another project, Lowery convinced him he could “play a nice Disney dad.” Bentley said he didn’t have to audition and was thankfully happy he was chosen for the film.
Transitioning from Complex and Darker Roles
Bentley mentioned that the Disney film was where he was headed a bit and that he really is a “nice guy.” Yes, he is used to playing those darker roles with characters dealing with so many complex issues. It never occurred to me since I have seen Bentley in so many of his past roles but he specifically mentioned “his eyebrows.”
Why are you so mad?” or “What are you angry about?” are comments he has always had to deal with when he wasn’t angry.
He did ask the Director to help him during the filming (this is my opinion but to help him keep from having so serious a look) but internally nothing changed.
Working with the legendary Robert Redford
Bentley, I think like his young brethren of actors Redford is an actor they emulate. Bentley ran through Redford’s acting qualities –“his natural delivery, his charm, his selection of roles and what he can play.” And like his co-star Bryce Dallas Howard mentioned what a “warm man” Redford is. When you think of an actor of Robert Redford’s stature it’s nice to hear how when Redford came to the set, he always had great stories and talked to everybody on set. An interesting side note, Bentley mentioned how the two Directors clicked and was fun to watch them have a sort of language, a film making language that he could learn from maybe one day if he was ever gonna make a film.
The Art of Acting
It was interesting to hear Bentley’s take on the craft of acting and how he admired actors like Robert Redford and Brian Dennehy and the golden era which was the ’70s of filmmaking meaning actors who had stage training.
“I hate to sound like a cheesy actor but there is a craft to it. They know this and they worked on that first (acting) and all the movie star stuff came later. I want to be more like the guys from the ’70s. I want to be more like the craft first and all that other stuff can come later. ”
Fun Days on the Set
Both Bentley and his co-star Bryce Dallas Howard mentioned how being up on the fake dragon with the wind blowing pretending to be really sitting on a dragon for the whole day was a fun day on set. They were both making jokes with each other trying to make each other laugh all while being up on the back of the “dragon”.
He also mentioned the chase scene and how it reminded him of the 60’s movie “It’s a Mad, Mad World.” If you haven’t seen the movie, it’s 60’s star filled cast in which the scene he is referring to is that the all the stars run to their cars and peel out in search of buried treasure. And like the 60’s movie, the Pete’s Dragon cast was standing around and then had to run to their cars to chase after the dragon.
About PETE’S DRAGON
A reimagining of Disney’s cherished family film, “Pete’s Dragon” is the adventure of an orphaned boy named Pete and his best friend Elliot, who just so happens to be a dragon.Pete’s Dragon” stars Bryce Dallas Howard (“Jurassic World”), Oakes Fegley (“This is Where I Leave You”), Wes Bentley (“The Hunger Games”), Karl Urban (“Star Trek”), Oona Laurence (“Southpaw”), Isiah Whitlock, Jr. (“Cedar Rapids”) and Oscar® winner Robert Redford (“Captain America: The Winter Soldier”). The film, which is directed by David Lowery (“Ain’t Them Bodies Saints”).
Read my full review of PETE’S DRAGON.
Pete’s Dragon now in theaters nationwide
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Disclosure: NYC Single Mom’s travel and accommodations to attend the the Pete’s Dragon event is being covered by Disney. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.
