Interview: James DuMont Discusses His "Indie" Film, Jurassic World

With “American Horror Story: Freak Show” behind him — although I’m sure a lot of viewers are still thinking about that ending — James DuMont is ready to move on to even bigger things, namely dinosaurs. James has a role in the sure-to-be summer blockbuster “Jurassic World,” which opens June 12. While he couldn’t tell me a lot about the hush-hush project, he did give me a little glimpse of what we can expect this summer.

Celebrity Extra: Tell me about “Jurassic World.”

James DuMont: Well, it’s this little, independent, low-budget film that’s got some dinosaurs in it and stuff. (Laughs.) But seriously, I can’t tell you anything about story, plot, my character or anything. I’ve signed all these heavy-duty nondisclosure agreements up and down the street. But the good news to tell you is that it’s absolutely amazing. The cast is amazing. A good indication of the excitement around it is when the trailer came out; 15 million people saw it within the first 24 hours. I think we’re up to 80 million views on YouTube. So, I think I can go out on a limb and predict that we’ll be the box-office hit of the summer. Chris Pratt’s in there. Bryce Dallas Howard’s in there. It’s just really great people involved; it’s going to be a great franchise. There are a lot of cool things about the movie. They got it right. Steven Spielberg’s on board. The director, Colin Trevorrow, is amazing. I’m just excited to be a part of a big movie like that. It’s the largest-budget movie I’ve ever done.

CE: I know you can’t tell me about the plot, but can you tell me about the filming process? How was that, and where did you film?

JD: They did half the film in Hawaii, where the majority of the amusement park is. The rest of it was done in Baton Rouge, and that is where I come into the movie. Louisiana has so much filming going on. At some point we were sharing space with “Terminator: Genisys.” And “The Fantastic Four” was also filming in Baton Rouge. So, you had three $100-million-plus movies all being shot in Louisiana at the same time. That was kind of wild.

CE: And all three of those movies are so hush-hush, which I fully approve of, because I am a no-spoilers kind of movie/TV watcher.

JD: I respect that they want to keep it secret. I feel the same way about the TV shows, too. When I’m doing shows like “American Horror Story,” and even when I was doing “Treme,” I didn’t know about the other scenes. So, I get to watch the show with fresh eyes as well because I don’t know about what other people are doing other than my own scenes. I absolutely like that idea of keeping it quiet and secret. It’s fun to know inside information, but I wouldn’t want to share it, because it kills the story.

CE: I keep expecting to see you pop up as country DJ Bobby Delmont on “Nashville” again, but, alas, you haven’t made another appearance yet.

JD: Juliette Barnes (played by Hayden Panettiere) is going to have to circle back around to Houston and give them a little Bobby Delmont. I thought for sure that returning was a possibility, but, you know, it’s all about the gals and the singing. But you never know. I’m just glad the show’s still going.

CE: I do love “Nashville,” and Hayden has been phenomenal this season.

JD: She’s so incredibly talented. I mean, she’s amazing. She’s the sweetest person and is so smart and sharp, and so on her game. Beyond “Nashville,” I think that some Oscar work is going to come out of her within the next five years, for sure. I was blown away by her, to be quite honest.

CE: I see you’re currently filming a movie called “Mind Puppets.” Tell me about that one.

JD: It’s this cool little ensemble comedy where seven people at a fair are up on stage and are hypnotized by a mind reader/hypnotist. He gives them particular things to do, and the audience is loving it and having a good time. But before he pulls everybody out from under hypnosis, he has a heart attack, so they are stuck in this hypnotic state. It’s a really cool film, a very fun movie. It stars Kevin Pollak, Vinnie Jones and lots of others.

CE: That sounds like a wonderful premise for something I’d like to see.

JD: It is a great premise. The other thing that I loved about it is that it’s a very different follow-up to “Dallas Buyers Club.” I mean, half the movie I’m shirtless. And I’m not built, I’ll tell you right now. I’m a fat dude who sometimes has man boobs. But I researched being hypnotized in real life, and there are no limits or boundaries. Once you’re in that hypnotic state, you’re free from all the limitations that your mind and heart and experiences put on you. There’s something kind of amazing and scary about that.

CE: Tell me about “I Saw the Light.”

JD: It is a Hank Williams biopic, which stars Tom Hiddleston. That definitely will be cut and ready in time for him to be considered for an Oscar nomination, or at least a Golden Globe. He did an amazing job of channeling his inner country singer, and him being the low-key Brit from the “Avengers” movies; you couldn’t ask for more polar-opposite characters to embody. But that one is going to be pretty exciting.

CE: Was this made with cooperation and approval from Hank Williams Jr.?

JD: Absolutely — Junior had approval. We also consulted the people who handled the estate, the musicians who worked side by side with Hank pretty much from day one. You’ve got a lot of old, seasoned folks who handled his business and his personal life. I knew there was a big Hank Williams following, but I had no idea the generational levels of his contribution. I’m excited to be a part of it.

CE: What about the movie “Little Boy”? That comes out soon, right?

JD: That comes out April 24, and I did that about three years ago. I saw a screening of it, and it’s magical. It’s really quite amazing. It’s set during World War II, and it’s about a little boy whose dad goes off to war, and he’ll do anything to make sure his dad comes back home safe. A Japanese man comes to the little town, and he befriends the boy. It’s a beautiful lesson of if you can learn to love your enemy, you can learn to love anybody. Emily Watson, Tom Wilkinson, David Henrie, Kevin James — they’re all in it. It’s the kind of movie that people make with their heart, and I hope it will get a lot of attention.

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Q and A: Week of Feb. 2

Q: I keep hearing great things about the FX series “Fargo,” but I don’t have cable. Is it out on DVD, or is there another way I can watch it? — Frannie D., Springfield, Ill.

A: Season one of this wonderful FX drama/suspense series — starring Billy Bob Thornton, Colin Hanks, Allison Tolman and Martin Freeman — is now available on DVD. And Hulu recently announced that it has acquired the streaming rights for the series. No exact date has been announced, only that we should be on the lookout for it ahead of the series’ season two premiere this fall on FX.

Q: Can you tell me when “Game of Thrones” will be back for a new season? — Bobby T., via email

A: The phenomenal drama/historical-fantasy series will be back for its fifth season on April 12 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. HBO also revealed that “Silicon Valley” would be begin its second season at 10 p.m., following the “GoT” premiere, and season four of “Veep” will follow that at 10:30 p.m. All three series will have 10-episode seasons.

In the meantime, you can relive some of season four on the big screen in IMAX format before that. In limited release (about 150 IMAX theaters), the last two episodes of season four’s “Game of Thrones” will be shown the way lots of fans think it should be aired all the time: in movie theaters. Those who do attend these limited showings will also be treated to an exclusive trailer for season five. Check your local listings to see if it is on the big screen in your town. According to “Entertainment Weekly,” there have also been reports of a season-five preview special to air on HBO, perhaps as soon as February. Fingers crossed for that too!

Q: My husband recently introduced me to the “Evil Dead” movies. He heard they are making it into a TV series. Is that true? — Nancy P. in Indiana

A: Your husband heard correctly. Starz is bringing the series to the small screen via an original series called “Ash vs. Evil Dead,” which takes place after the action of the movie series. The series’ star and the director of “Evil Dead” — Bruce Campbell and Sam Raimi, respectively — are set to return to the production, which will consist of 10 half-hour episodes. The story begins three decades later, where Ash (Campbell) is forced to face his demons and fight the Evil Dead yet again when a Deadite plague threatens to destroy all mankind.

Bryce Dallas Howard and Chris Pratt in Jurassic World

Q: I know the project is all hush-hush, but is there anything you can tell me about “Jurassic World”? — George F., Montgomery, Ala.

A: Recently I spoke with James DuMont, who just finished another wonderfully disturbing season of “American Horror Story,” and who also plays a role in the sure-to-be summer blockbuster, which opens June 12. However, things are so hush-hush that he can’t even tell me what role he plays. This is what he could tell me: “I can’t tell you anything about story, plot, my character. I’ve signed all these very heavy-duty nondisclosure agreements up and down the street. But the good news to tell you is that it’s amazing. The cast is amazing. There are so many cool things about this movie. They got it right. Steven Spielberg’s on board. The director, Colin Trevorrow, is amazing. I think it’s going to be a really, really good movie. I’m just excited to be a part of a big movie like this.” Stop by tomorrow to read my entire interview with James.

Q: All last year I read rumors about a “Wet Hot American Summer” sequel, even on your Twitter feed, but I’ve seen neither hide nor hair of it anywhere. Is this really going to happen? — Megan M., via Facebook

A: I have good news for you, and for lovers of this outrageous and brilliant comedy everywhere. There will indeed be a sequel, but not in feature-film form. Netflix, which is quickly becoming my favorite outlet for original programming, has picked it up for an eight-episode limited series. And pretty much all of the film’s original stars will return: Elizabeth Banks, H. Jon Benjamin, Michael Ian Black, Bradley Cooper, Judah Friedlander, Janeane Garofalo, Nina Hellman, Ken Marino, Zak Orth, David Hyde Pierce, Joe LoTruglio, Christopher Meloni, A.D. Miles, Marguerite Moreau, Amy Poehler, Paul Rudd, Marisa Ryan, Molly Shannon, Michael Showalter and Kevin Sussman. To say that I am excited about this doesn’t nearly cover the emotions I am feeling about this series. I’m thinking you’re feeling the same way right about now.

Q: I loved your interview with CCH Pounder about “NCIS: New Orleans” a few months back, and I love the show. Will it be back for another season? — Janice T., via email

A: “NCIS: New Orleans,” which is the No. 1 new TV series on broadcast television, has indeed received a second season pickup from CBS. “Madam Secretary,” which is the No. 2 most watched new series, and “Scorpion,” which is No. 3, have both also received a second season.

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Interview: 'Get on Up' with James DuMont

James DuMont — who’s been on tons of TV shows, like “American Horror Story,” “Treme,” “Nashville” and “Bonnie and Clyde,” and on the big screen in “The Butler,” “Ocean’s Thirteen,” “War of the Worlds,” “Speed” and “Along Came Polly,” to name only a few — is one busy guy. It seems like everywhere you turn, there he is. And James is thrilled to be working so much and so hard. I spoke with James recently, and we discussed “Nashville,” his role in the Oscar-nominated “Dallas Buyers Club,” working with Robin Williams in “The Butler,” and his latest film, the James Brown biopic called “Get on Up.”

Celebrity Extra: Just a few months back you played a key role, D.J. Bobby Delmont, on one of my favorite prime-time shows, “Nashville.” What was it like working on that show?

James DuMont: That’s a great little character, and Hayden Panettiere is fantastic. She is such a wonderful actress. And she was so much fun and so good, and I was like, “Well, you know, I’m going to be manhandling you.” She goes, “Don’t be afraid, because the more you give it to me, the more I’m going to take care of you later on.” So we just had this little pact together, which worked out pretty well.

CE: You’ve also been busy with “American Horror Story” and “Treme,” but what I really want to talk about is “Dallas Buyers Club,” which was just nominated for the Best Picture Oscar, as well as Best Actor for Matthew McConaughey and Best Supporting Actor for Jared Leto. Tell me about the film and your role in it.

JD: It’s an amazing film. The director is Jean-Marc Vallée, who is a French-Canadian director who directed a movie called “C.R.A.Z.Y.” a few years back. He’s a brilliant director. I have this really wonderful, amazing role playing Jared Leto’s father — Jared plays the character of Rayon, who’s transgender and is dying of AIDS. Rayon becomes part of the Dallas Buyers Club with Matthew McConaughey, who plays the real-life Ron Woodroof, a pioneer in the creation of the cocktail that kept people alive and was much more effective in warding off the early HIV to AIDS than AZT. He becomes an unlikely kind of hero in this movie.

It’s a really powerful scene Jared and I share. He does powerful work in this; as soon as we finished our scene, I tweeted that Jared would get an Oscar nomination for this role. I’ve worked with Oscar winners, and I can see and identify Oscar-caliber work.

CE: Speaking of Oscar-caliber actors, you played opposite Robin Williams and Forest Whitaker in “Lee Daniel’s The Butler.” Tell me about that.

JD: That’s true. I’m working with Robin and Forrest, and I’m thinking: “Well, one of these things is not like the other. Who doesn’t have an Oscar in this scene? That would be me!” It’s interesting to be the guy who can hold his own with what’s recognized as the highest caliber of folks. I love being able to play a historical character in “The Butler” like Sherman Adams, who was the chief of staff under President Eisenhower (played by Robin). He was kind of like Dick Cheney to George W. Bush.

And then I get to play an estranged father who has a transgender son who now has AIDS. And how do you deal with that scenario? It’s kind of a powder-keg moment. I’m just plugging along. I’m doing the James Brown biopic next, which is called “Get on Up.” I play a USO envoy for when James Brown comes to perform in Vietnam; I welcome him to come perform for the troops, which is pretty fun.

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