The Revelry recently participated in a telephone conference call with one of Hollywood’s fastest up – and – coming young actors today.
Paul Walker has starred in movies such as “2 Fast 2 Furious,” “Joy Ride,” “Pleasantville” and “Varsity Blues.”
Walker’s next movie opens on Nov. 26.
“Timeline” is based on Michael Crichton’s book with the same title. Walker stars as Chris Johnston. After finding a plea for help sealed inside the ruins of a 14th century castle, he and a group of students travel back in time to save Professor Edward Johnston (Billy Connolly), Chris’s father.
Walker said his character was not studying archeology like his father, but he has naturally gained knowledge from being around it so long.
“Chris is more of a regular guy like me,” Walker said. “He is venerable. He’s still trying to figure things out.”
Walker said he has always loved Medieval times and that helped attract him to this movie. He wanted to play a character that wears knight’s armor, but he said he’s very satisfied with his role in “Timeline.”
“If I could go back in time, I would go to Medieval times,” Walker said. “I would want to go back to see if Camelot and King Arthur really existed.”
Walker was told by his costar Jerry Butler (“Reign of Fire”) not to read the book until filming completed. Butler even took Walker’s copy of the book after seeing it on his coffee table.
“The movie deviates from the book a bit,” Walker said. “When you condense over 500 pages into a screenplay, you are going to lose information.”
This was Walker’s first time working with director Richard Donner, who has directed movies such as “Goonies,” “Superman” and the “Lethal Weapon” series.
Walker said he enjoyed working with Donner.
“He is really confident, and he knows what he wants,” Walker said.
Walker said one reason this movie has been pushed back so often was because Donner was not happy with the way it turned out.
“He didn’t re-shoot any scenes,” Walker said. “He filmed additional scenes to help make the movie more clear.”
“Timeline” filmed in Montreal. At first, Walker did not know what to think about Montreal, but his view has changed.
“It’s a great town,” Walker said. “There’s a great night life there…and the food is so good.”
Walker would surf and snowboard during his free time in Montreal. This is not too different from his life outside acting.
Residing in California, Walker likes to surf, but he said he has been surfing less recently.
Instead, Walker likes to go horseback riding, play beach volleyball and continue his martial arts training.
Walker said he watches nothing but the Discovery Channel and Animal Planet when his television is on.
He also likes to races cars including shifter cars, which are like “a big go cart” according to Walker.
He remains down to earth and true to himself. Walker was raised Mormon and attended a Christian high school. Walker said many in Hollywood lose sight of everything.
“I don’t fit in this town,” Walker said.
However, Walker said there are people in Hollywood who have not lost their perspective, such as Jeff Daniels, Jon Voight and co-star Billy Connolly.
“He (Connolly) is so cool, and that’s all you have to say about him,” Walker said. “He’s real positive. When he’s on set, he’d make it fun.”
Walker’s career will not be slowing down anytime soon.
In 2004, he will be co-staring with “Dark Angel’s” Jessica Alba in “Into the Blue.” According to comingsoon.net, this is about a group of scuba divers in trouble with a drug lord after discovering a sunken plane wreck containing illegal cargo.
Walker will return to Montreal today to begin filming “Noel.”
In Chazz Palminteri’s directorial debut, Walker will work along with Penelope Cruz, Susan Sarandon and Robin Williams.
With numerous hit films under his belt including the blockbuster “Fast and the Furious,” Walker wants to be remembered for two things.
“I want to be remembered for making cool movies and being a nice guy,” Walker said.