PROJECT X stars a cast of unknowns with Thomas Mann, Oliver Cooper, and Jonathan Daniel Brown coming to the project through an open casting call over the internet. Jonathan Brown was one of those actors who saw the listing online.
"I did an open call over the internet. I saw it on some blog somewhere and it snowballed from there."During a press tour for the out of control party-themed comedy, Todd Phillips told reporters he thought it would be different to conduct the casting process online. Producer Joel Silver (pictured above) and the other PROJECT X producer's agreed that in order to bring authenticity to the characters they had to go through online means. When the cast was in place, the PROJECT X filmmakers gave the newbies the freedom to play extensions of themselves in the party film including using their real first name instead of character names. Watch Trailer
"From the very start of the project it was about discovering new talent. The conversation never came up to have cameos from well-known stars in this film. It just didn't lend itself."
According to Thomas Mann, the cast wanted to play "real kids that people can hopefully relate to."
Todd Phillips not only discovered new talent in front of the camera but also behind the lens with Nima Nourizadeh, a first-time director. Ivan Reitman gave Phillips his first shot at directing with Road Trip after directing documentaries and commercials. He wanted to extend the same courtesy or create that "similar vibe" with Nima whose previous experience includes working as an editor on a documentary.
Movie Clip: Angry Little Person In Oven
The master of mayhem on film admits that some of his personal life bleeds into his films. If his movies (Road Trip, Old School, The Hangover movies) are any indication of his personal life, then he's in trouble. However, he admits that he is not a party animal.
"A lot of stuff in your life... well seeds of it.. ends up in the movie, and of course you expand on it and make it crazy. If you know me, I'm not some crazy party animal but I love mayhem. I love to be around mayhem. I love to make movie about mayhem."How does the 41-year-old filmmaker stay relevant for the younger generations? Phillips says he's not sure how he does but he thinks of himself as a 15-year-old which he says is a "huge problem."
Phillips will be able to tap into that 15-year-old mentality once again when he starts work on the third Hangover movie. The Hangover helmer is comfortable with sticking to comedies because he's able to write it himself and do "his own thing." While he's contemplated offers for action movies, he says, "for me, I like comedies." That's not to say you won't see his name attached to an action movie if the right one comes along.
PROJECT X opens in theatres on March 2nd.
