Michael Cera Breaks Down His Most Iconic Characters | GQ
Michael Cera breaks down his most iconic roles in film and television, including 'Superbad,' 'Scott Pilgrim vs. the World,' 'Arrested Development,' 'Barbie,' 'Juno,' 'Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist,' 'This Is The End,' 'Twin Peaks' and his newest film 'The Adults.'
Variance Films will release THE ADULTS in select theaters across the US on August 18. Watch this episode for a sneak peek at an exclusive clip.
SAG-AFTRA members are currently on strike; as part of the strike, union actors are not promoting their film and TV projects. This interview was conducted prior to the strike.
Director: Robby Miller
Director of Photography: Zach Eisen
Editor: Graham Mooney
Creative Producer: Arielle Neblett
Line Producer: Jen Santos
Associate Producer: Chris Sechler
Production Manager: James Pipitone
Production Coordinator: Jamal Colvin
Talent Booker: Meredith Judkins
Camera Operator: Kyle LeClaire
Audio Engineer: Sean Paulsen
Production Assistant: Shenelle Jones
Post Production Supervisor: Rachael Knight
Post Production Coordinator: Ian Bryant
Supervising Editor: Rob Lombardi
Assistant Editor: Courtney Karwal
00:00 "Call them back"
00:22 Superbad
02:47 Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
05:55 Arrested Development
09:14 Barbie
11:15 Juno
13:02 Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
15:44 This Is The End
17:14 Twin Peaks
20:26 The Adults
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Definitely says something that just about every movie he's been in is considered a cult classic. His impact is undeniable.
The guy has an excellent agent…. But then again he also made Year One 😂
@@joshhunt4146year one is hilarious
@@codyscards6698 hmm agree to disagree… I was very excited for it because it was a new Harold Ramis film but I was very disappointed
@@codyscards6698Terrible movie
@@codyscards6698 Year One is a classic
Cera talking about the depression he had when the filming for "Scott Pilgrim" ended was so real
At least he gets to relive the movie via the new anime coming out, since the majority of the film cast are coming back to voice the characters.
We all kind of felt that way. It's definitely a movie you don't want to come to an end.
@@julian806X you people are the worst
@@SnakeEyesNZomg I had no idea they were reprising there roles he is to?
@@Ghost_Void226yeah
This guy has RANGE. Lotta people will say he’s one note but cmon. He’s great at being comedic, doing action, being weird, and seriousness.
Totally agree. Not a dull character ever. But brings so much energy to every role he has played
Bro he's literally the most typecast non range person there is. And that's why we love him. He's hilariously dull and therein lies the point.
What kind of range? The comedic awkward lanky kid? That's why we love him.
@@yormeaceko7101 he’s done other things…
@@Jacob-wu3if Yeah he's not just lanky and awkward, he's also awkward and lanky too
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is one of my all time favorite movies and Cera really brings so much life and character to the movie. He's brilliant, hilarious, and perfect as Scott. Really enjoyed hearing his articulation and description of all his roles, the environment, and the people he's worked with! One of the best actors imo.
It had the best music, great jokes, unbelievable cast, nonstop action and an amazing visual style. Everyone forgot about that and just whines about what a jerk Scott was.
Yes!! The whole movie was so incredibly unique and creative, fun and entertaining, every aspect of it was perfection! @@Smoove_J
same I love that movie so much
do you know what… i’ve never seen it
He's asked about his roles, and he goes on about how brilliant his co-stars and directors are. Says a lot about the kind of guy he is.
Jeff Bridges did the same thing in his.
I was thinking this. He seems like a really sound guy.
Yes, love his admiration and humility
bro yall just say anything 😂
Not for juno. Having seen the backstage videos makes sense.
Very happy that he is voicing Scott Pilgrim again in the new animated series!
Trailer out now!
All the og casts are back
I can’t freakin wait for this!! 😩😭
@@374jrsame😊
Legendary
he seems like such a well-rounded, well-spoken, fascinating human being. what a shame that he is so often typecast as weird, bumbling or incapable. he seems to have a clear understanding of what each director wants, but isn’t being given many chances outside of his established archetypes. I bet he can do a lot more!
That's very well said; I couldn't agree more.
Nick and Norah is one of my favorites. It makes me feel nostalgia for something I’ve never been through? Those “indie” feeling movies are a lost art form and I hope we get them back one day.
i think i’m almost starting to feel a shift with the marvel fatigue that’s happening rn. people just need to stop being lazy and get tickets to see movies in theaters because that’s another things that’s sort of ruining the industry
Crazy how much this dude dominated the late 2000s teen movie scene. He’s in so many of my favourite movies
Yup. Just like pauly Shore owned the 90's.
@@kr4t0sg.28who?
@@Micahslooseearlobe look him up.
nick & norah’s infinite playlist is so underrated
Favorite
his point about smaller-scale movies no longer being funded by studios is so real. like he said, unless it’s guaranteed success (so a superhero movie or live action remake or sequel) there’s very rarely a budget anymore. which is so unfortunate and ultimately really hurting the film industry.
Industry needs a reset
This was a big thing spoken about 10-15 years ago. A 20-30 mil film that made $150 mil was the goal. Pump & dump. Arnold & Stallone were kings of it & later Liam Neeson became the last of them.
I think the film industry is doing pretty well. These guys aren’t even that huge 😂 you can’t expect to have a budget if they movie isn’t gonna make money. That’s bad for business 🙄🙄
@@BaldiB704 I think there might be a bit of loosing the point, and point is that in the way movies are consumed nowadays (only streaming and big cinema presentations) only allow producers to do a film if they're going all the way through,with them, and there is no real space for simple story's that can bring the public another kind of more everyday feelings. Or maybe there are story's of those, but in the form of big series with the same amount of budget of a multi-millionaire film.
@@BaldiB704 are you involved with filmmaking in any form
He's so charming and well-spoken. Superbad almost being 20 is absolutely insane..
When he talks about the sorta indie small movie genre that was happening in the 2000's when he made Nick and Nora has a special place in my life. I loved going to all those types of movies back then.
Same
I haven't seen him lately, I was happy to see him in Barbie and it was a perfect role for him.
Guess you didn't watch black mirror
@@pnut3844able Already forgot he was in it lol
@@pnut3844able Nope but a guest appearance in a streaming show is not the same thing.
@@Woozlewuzzleable in black mirror it is
@@Woozlewuzzleableeven so that doesn't mean he hasn't been in anything recently streaming show or Movies that's still him being active
I have no idea how anyone on Arrested Development ever kept a straight face in scenes with David Cross. Tobias is one of the most absurd characters ever 😂😂😂
Oh darn, I blued myself
For real 😂😂😂😆😆😆
That's enough family stuff for today!
Absolutely
I started laughing just reading this comment. Tobias might be my favorite comedic character ever.
We are forgetting an underrated gem: Youth in Revolt
I came to say the same thing!
Yes! I just watched it for the first time recently.
Where is François?
I love when I think about a random celebrity and I wonder "hey where'd this person go?" Then I search them up and find out they're still relevant. It honestly gets me a little ecstatic that these people are still being appreciated.
I watched Superbad on a bootleg dvd. i Was able to hear the people in the crowd laughing. It made the movie feel like a sitcom and i loved it!
WHAT.. Where can I find this version? Do you think there is a avalaible bootleg dvd on the internet somewhere?
thats kinda awesome.
that's a super bad way to watch
You should be in prison.
I loved when my dad bought movies like that
He's so charming and well-spoken
Hii
👍
👍
So very interesting various characters
👍
Nothing will top his appearance in Twin Peaks. He fit so perfectly in that world.
Can't believe there was no mention of Youth in Revolt. He played 2 characters and both were incredible.
The Cera Era was during one of the best times in my life. I miss it everyday
2007-2010
@@kharqas hopefully we are in for a Ceraissance
Was just thinking this while watching the video. His movies were the back drop to my best memories.
@@BigTasty-xb8zm it crosses my mind at least once a day
❤
Always nice to see Cera doing long interviews. He’s very articulate, and seems pretty grounded.
I loved this interview! Juno was one of my fav films as a young teen. He dominated 2Ks films. Seems like a lovely guy too ❤
Cera is so incredibly relatable, even if hes a wildly successful actor
He comes across as such a genuine, thoughtful person. Such a breath of fresh air in an often cynical industry.
i’ve heard he’s actually a prick in real life
100% agree
having met him i absolutely agree! he comes across very humble and gracious
It’s hilarious that every interview I watch of any celebrity there’s a comment like this. So who are the cynical ones? Lol
@@yourenotrelatableTom Cruise
Micheal Cera has always looked like 19 to me and its crazy. One of my favorite actors and its funny to hear his voice be a little bit deeper than i've grown so use to
Haha true, it sometimes feels as if he has not aged a day. Then you hear him now. Wow.
Believe it or not he’s 55
@@matttakahashi8283 35?
@@matttakahashi8283he’s 35
@@matttakahashi8283hes 35
Cera is that type of actor to be in a movie and just be funny without him having to do anything 😂 ❤
00:00 "Call them back" 00:22 Superbad 02:47 Scott Pilgrim vs. the World 05:55 Arrested Development 09:14 Barbie 11:15 Juno 13:02 Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist 15:44 This Is The End 17:14 Twin Peaks 20:26 The Adults
we have chapters on the timestamps idiot.
What about year one With jack black 🤔 He didn't mention that one
youtube already has a feature for this
A superb ad
No Berenstein Bears? WTF?
It's kind of insane how Scott Pilgrim vs. the World has become a blueprint for teenagers for their overall behaviour/fashion sense/world perspective in the last 7 years when the movie was slept on when it was initially released.
Lol being a teenager throughout that time I can say it became the blueprint for nothing except longing for connection 😂😂😂😂
@maker6153 add that aspect to the list as well.
It finally found its audience
I’ll never forget seeing it in theaters while I was in elementary school, then proceeded to have Ramona Flowers hair for several years after😂 Definitely a movie that changed my life!
It came out when i was in 8th grade and experiencing my hipster renaissance. I felt so seen and that movie became a huge part of my personality lmao. To this day i still say “FREEZE! VEGAN POLICE!”
Nick and Norah’s infinite playlist doesn’t get enough love, one of my favorites growing up.
Agreed
Is that a turkey sandwich? 😀
Nick and Norah is one of my favorite comfort movies.
Same
YES ❤
Nick and Norah's is, to this day, one of my top 10 favorite movies. Everything about it - the visuals, the soundtrack, the quippy lines - is perfect.
Youth in revolt?? Am I the only one who remembers this classic, I loved it
💯💯💯
Scott pilgrim is probably one of the top under rated movies ever. It has massive rewatch value and so original
agree 100%. Edgars best imo
@@briceticker6721FACTS😅I'm so happy it's getting a animated series 😅
Indeed. I couldn't even understand why I liked it so much when I first watched it and I really don't get it to this day. It's really unique and Edgar Wright is a beast.
How is it underrated? It's a widely loved, massively popular movie. Just say you like something without trying to make it sound like some cool underground thing.
ANDDD awesome soundtrack:)
His observation about Arrested Development is spot on. The kids being messed up and immoral like the adults really adds comedy depth to the characters that no other show does with kid characters. Alia Shawkat and him were both incredible in that show and their comedic timing was insane especially considering they were only kids filming it.
zzz
Modern family def had the same adult/kid character dynamics
I love hearing about his experiences in all of these projects. He’s got so much appreciation for these opportunities.
what a great interview, he's such an inspiration to me honestly. you can totally feel the connection between them all in every scene of scott pilgrim and the commentary tracks feel so hilariously comfortable with each other, that dynamic is so hard to match
Superbad almost being 20 is absolutely insane.
Huhh!??? 😳😳
Dude, 2007 in itself, being almost 20 years ago is absolutely insane. It's absolutely mind blowing to me that I just got my drivers license in 2007 when my baby cousin was a literal infant that couldn't even crawl, to now he's asking to borrow my car to take his girlfriend out. Just.... I can't fathom this.
@@Whatever092got my license in 2021
@@user-pq5tv4ut2vnobody asked lmao
@@trustcuz I asked. I DM'd him
While having a shoddy performance in the box office, Scott Pilgrim: The Movie is visually spectacular to this day and I’m so happy that it has garnered a cult following similar to The Big Lebowski.
I was so not interested in seeing it in theaters when it first came out, then a couple years later it was on HBO so I watched it and ABSOLUTELY loved it! Now it’s one of my favorite movies of all time and my go to comfort film!
I had no idea it didn't do well in theaters! I saw it twice at the theater and was obsessed!
@@aliadriftI read that not enough marketing was the downfall of its opening 😢 I’m glad it’s become a cult classic
@@aliadriftYou'd be surprised how many movies that are in everybody's top 10 lists nowadays that didn't do well the first time it came out.
@@LuigiGamesful fight club
He always seemed very likable as a person. This interview has enforced that.
scott pilgrim is hands down one of my most favorite movies of all time. i also absolutely love nick and nora's playlist.
It really shows how much passion these guys had for Scott Pilgrim, especially with the fact that they all came back, it was really sad to hear him say he was depressed (when filming was over :/)
He was depressed because it ended not during it
He will forever be the perfect awkward teenager, even when he's 80.
What a lovely human ❤
upvoteeee
Great to see him celebrating his 21st b day with this GQ interview.
I was stunned to see that Scott Pilgrim vs. The World ended up losing money; I remember seeing it in theaters and everybody leaving amazed at not just the visual tour de force that it was; but the sweetness and touching story that held it up. Will always be a classic to millennials!
It came out the same week as the Expendables and everyone went to see that instead
Everyone recognizes it’s greatness now tho. I didn’t see it until like 6+ years after it came out, maybe it just wasn’t marketed well.
It was popular with kids at my middle school
@erismylove Bro that movie came out when millennials were still in middle school and high school
@@TheGooberGrape It's late millenial/gen z
He hit it on the nail with the whole, large budget indie film, conversation. I just can't seem to find films like that anymore...
There are studie A24 and probably some European ones for not taking about Asia.. so there are some but not so many young adult likes indie films that is probably very true indeed…!
The Holdovers looks close but less of the 2000s era vibe
I'm obsessed with his voice
He's already had such an amazing career, and he's still so young.
Scott Pilgrim is such a sleeper hit. That movie is a top 5 Forsure.
Gelato isn't vegan??!
it did really well, that's not really a sleeper hit
@@DaveDexterMusicnah it was a sleeper
Are you excited for the animated something that has the original cast coming back to voice act
@@Caliiboyy facts. Became a cult classic later
It’s Jimmy’s brother! The guy! The singer!
These eyes…are crying…
@@jaydock1bow bow bow
"Talk about the hurtin'"
you broke it broke itttt
With the beautiful voice?
He was the perfect Scott pilgrim no one else coulda played it as beautifully as he did
Nah he did very well but the comics always made Scott out to be at least a bit more traditionally attractive - otherwise nobody would hook up with him lolol
Omg he seems so freaking nice
I demand to have more Micheal Cera, this guy is in a whole different level.
Micheal will always be Scott Pilgrim to me. I love him.
Bro doesn’t age
In another ten years I feel this dude is going to be a well respected character actor. To me, he has one of those faces that's just going to get more interesting as years go by.
He's so charming and well-spoken, I love how supportive he is of every single cast member and director he's worked with
Just don’t wet your pants
@@__M7MDI’m so excited, I might just whip it out and bust.
@@_polyavien_1356 And that’s why children shouldn’t be near you
This is well-spoken? Seriously? 😂😂😂
@@EM-ol6rbyou a hater lol
I fell in love with him when I saw Arrested Development and that just continued to grow through my youth/teen years as all these other things came out. So glad to see he's doing well 🖤
same he’s def a top actor for me now
I love george micheal so much
same @@jessaj._.6415
SAME SAME
Same Arrested Development was awesome
It’s really awesome to see Morty doing so well for himself. I know his teenage years were tough with his relationship with his grandpa and all.
Love this guy and every character he's played. That being said, I'm extremely disappointed that "Youth and Revolt" was never mentioned! 😂 One of my all time favorite rolls played by MC
Superbad is a classic!!!
By far his best movie and most legendary
@@Insane_Societyfact😅
I love micheal cera hes so adorable
Def one of the best actor breakdowns so far
Scott Pilgrim is one of the most underrated movies of all time.
Underrated? It’s mainstream. Everybody loved it
@@paperbag4477but it panned by critics I think. It is not as big as it should have been
@@dezmondperry6339 Was definitely not panned by critics. It just didn't do well financially at first. It's also for sure not underrated but it's much more of a cult hit with a hugely devoted fanbase.
@@dezmondperry6339 bro rotten tomato critics mean absolutely nothing at this point.
@@yowatchie which is a shame to me. Because it should have won an award.
Michael's cameo on Twin Peaks was one of the most memorable parts of that season and one of the best touches of the weirdness and heart similar to the early episodes. I'm glad he was asked about that.
When that scene happened, I was about as confused as the police Sheriff the entire time then when it ended I laughed and went "What!?"
@@hardy83 It's just brilliant because that is the last thing I ever expected their son to be.
I will always love his Scott pilgrim performance He is Scott pilgrim Without the dating high schooler part
This is single handed one of the best GQ actor breaks down their roles ever. MC literally influenced so much of my youth with all the character and films he was in. He brought so much laughter to my life!
Anyone else really like Juno? Cera and Page were great in that movie
Yea to bad she went nuts and decided to think she has nuts
My first ever Cera movie
One of the best movies ever.
Unrealistic two men can't have a baby
@@minixtvboxwhat she is a girl
Bruuhhhhh i need that era to comeback like sooo much nostalgia hitting me hard asf with this interview
I absolutely love Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist.
i met him once when he visited the restaurant i worked in about an hour outside Toronto. he just hung out in our lounge by the fireplace with a few of his friends for about an hour; he was really chill and extremely humble. seemed like he mostly wanted to stay under the radar but he did greet all of us very personably. one of the best celebrity encounters i’ve had!
I forget how iconic his movies have been in the indie scene. Scott Pilgrim vs. the world it's an all time classic.
Certified legend
I’m so happy that they talked about nick and Norah’s infinite playlist!!!! One of my favs!
Hes a surprisingly physical actor, scott pilgrim is a badass and he pulled it off well through his fight scenes
Notice how little he talks about himself... In a video, supposed to be about him, he spends a majority of the time talking about everyone he worked with. 👑
Love how it starts with his more well-known roles and goes into the more obscure stuff later
“I could’ve keep making that forever even if it was exhausting” speaks of how much fun he had and the love he developed for scott pilgrim and even when you watch the movie you can tell even the director was having fun (i watched it yesterday with my fiance and she also had a lot of fun,first time for her)
He always talks about how much he values his friendships. the importance of his friendship with jonah and the rest of the cast during superbad, the sadness at the loss of the friendships with the cast at the end of the filming of scott pilgrim, the fact that he mentions that his friends still play poker in LA while hes lived elsewhere for a few years. its come up in other interviews too
What a testament to his character that he spends most of the time during HIS GQ interview talking about how great all the people he has worked with are. Says a lot, about the guy, I'd say!
Didn't have a thing to say about ellen paige😮😅
@@joem13yearsago73 Yeah because terminally online people get too embittered over their gender philosophy. Elliot Page is the person now, but he worked on Juno with Ellen Page. Maybe they didn’t want to risk that though.
He honestly one of my fav actors of all times fr
I love how’s he’s an unproblematic male actor on hollywood. He’s iconic and also a Gemini 🩵
He cracked me up in "Youth in Revolt." Underrated performance on the spectrum of Cera. Oh, and amazing cameo in the new season of Black Mirror 😂
That's not him. It's AI. JK it's awesome. I loved that he was in it
R.I.P. Ray Littoa.
He had a small part in "How to Be a Latin Lover" and he was just great and so funny.
Youth in revolt was a fun one. The thing I miss most about 2000s cinema is the "fox searchlight makes a medium budget movie with something interesting to say" movie
His best one probably, such an underrated gem of a movie
As someone who was in highschool when Scott Pilgrim came out and watched it in realtime, its so interesting reading the comments that its just now finding an audience. My group of friends loved it when it came out, there was this “indie” movie phenomena in the mid 00s, with music too, and strong cult support for lots of these works. Didnt realize it wasnt as mainstream at the time
Micheal cera is unintentionally my favorite actor he just pops up out of no where in movies or shows im watching
Wouldve loved for him to talk about Year One with Jack Black 😍
I forget how many great movies he’s been in. So happy he’s in Barbie.
Yes
His appearance in Twin Peaks was the most bizarre thing I have ever witnessed
Agreed
He’s seriously my favorite actor I find his career so fabulous
Cera is an underrated Talent
Juno is deeper than everyone thinks it is
Explain
The way he speaks about the state of Hollywood films with smaller $10m films becoming more scarce with the constant superhero films couldn’t be more true. It’s to the point where movies like that are starting to feel like a relic of the time.
Cera spent half of his time here praising the people he worked with. Seems like a lovely guy.
This was one of my favorite episodes of these.
nick and norah infinite playlist is my go to comfort movie
That cab scene!!! I was dying laughing!!!
Time has flown! I was 17 in 2007 my friend and I skipped school to see Superbad it was one of the first of its kind it was brilliant.
Nick and norahs definetly in my top 3 of his movies, just watched it a couple of weeks ago. Its captures a night in the city so well.
i love him so much 😭 he’s such an effortlessly funny actor and person
superbad is one of the top 5 comedies of all time
iconic
Facts
Superbad is such a timeless movie. Ill always remember Cera for being apart of such a classic movie that I and many others grew up enjoying. Happy to see in 2023 that he is still getting big roles and thriving.