Last week I had the opportunity to participate in a virtual roundtable with Alex Pettyfer, star of the Valentine’s Day movie Endless Love. I also did not know what a virtual roundtable was. For those like me, here’s how it worked: a bunch of students from universities all over the country logged into this website which was kind of like a chat-room. We could all see a live stream of Alex Pettyfer and were able to type questions for his interviewer to ask. The whole experience was really pleasant and fun, and not just because of Alex’s British accent. He also has great hair.
Bad jokes aside, Alex Pettyfer was extremely well spoken, insightful, kind, and completely in love with his job. His answers to our questions were genuine, intelligent, and OKAY FINE super charming.
Alex Pettyfer’s impressive credits include Lee Daniel’s The Butler, Magic Mike, In Time, Beastly, and I Am Number Four.
Here are some of the highlights from the roundtable:
MODERATOR: Tell us a little bit about your character and what drew you to the script?
ALEX PETTYFER: My character – I think that it was – I love films like Love Story, which is with Ali McGraw and Ryan O’Neal. But the subject matter that they deal with is one, on a personal level; but two, they deal with the life that they’re having to lead, with like mortgages, and adult stuff; whereas this movie was very character driven. And I love just seeing a guy who was just purely in love with a woman and wanted to do anything he could do to just be with her, and – yeah, I guess it was that. And Shana, the director, I thought she was incredible, so I wanted to work with her.
MODERATOR: Did you see parts of yourself in the character, David?
ALEX PETTYFER: Yeah. I can’t believe I’m gonna let this on Skype, or whatever we’re on, but I’m a hopeless romantic. So now everyone’s laughing at me. Well, I am. I’m a hopeless romantic.
**(Guys this next one was my question I feel super important)**
MODERATOR: What’s your favorite part about preparing for a character?
ALEX PETTYFER: My favorite part? There wasn’t a lot of research that had to go into this. I did The Butler, which was a movie that I did before. And I love reading. And like, I left school at 15, and I just – I guess – I know this is so weird to say. I can semi-say that I feel like I’m an intelligent person, but I’m not an academic person. And to read and to learn about life, and things, and subjects that I don’t know, and especially being English and learning about American culture, you know, what happened in your history, is great for me, and I really enjoy just soaking up knowledge.
MODERATOR: Here’s a question. What was your favorite past acting job, besides Endless Love?
ALEX PETTYFER: Favorite past – I think Magic Mike, because it’s the most embarrassing movie I’ve ever done. But working with Steven Soderbergh was just a dream come true. Like, Steven is one of my favorite directors of all time, and just to be, able to be directed by him was – well, I’d take my clothes off again for the guy. [LAUGHING]
MODERATOR: What major cultural differences did you struggle with, acting in America versus England?
ALEX PETTYFER: Culture? Americans are very easy to get along with, and English people are very warm, as well. [LAUGHS] No, Americans are very warm in the way that they – from what I’ve experienced – the way that they approach, you know, the way they live. And I can stop someone on the street and say, “Hey, how you doin’,” you know, and have a conversation; whereas English people are very cold – not in the sense of cold of like, shut off; you know, they’re lovely people and we’re gentlemen. But if I stop someone on the street and start having a conversation with someone random, they’d look at me and go, “What are you doing?” you know – they’re very involved in their own lives. And you know, our architecture is incredible. But you know, over here – you know – I love America. I genuinely, genuinely love America. It has given me such a great, great lifestyle. But I love England, as well.
MODERATOR: Now, some people would say that Endless Love is a modern day Romeo and Juliet. Would you agree?
ALEX PETTYFER: Yes and no. Yes, in the sense of two star-crossed lovers. But it’s more a personal dilemma with Jade’s father and David, and that is where the problem lies, because if that wasn’t the problem, it would be very simplistic. It’s not such as a heavy subject as Romeo and Juliet. I love the story of Romeo and Juliet so I can’t compare Endless Love and Romeo and Juliet.
MODERATOR: Now, when you were starting out as an actor, did you imagine yourself doing movies like this, and the others that you’re in?
ALEX PETTYFER: You know, it’s so funny to say that, because as a man, you know, Endless Love, that movie – would I go see it? Yes, I would, because that’s me. But if I ask my brother, he wouldn’t go see it. But he came and saw it, and loved it, and was like, “Oh, wow, I actually would probably – I would watch that again.” And so being a part of movies like Endless Love, and I Am Number Four, and Magic Mike – of course, I don’t ever imagine that I’m going to play a stripper. But these are all experiences that have really, I mean, really helped me grow as a human being, and as an actor, and working with Steven and Shana, and Andrew Niccol, you know, it’s been good. I really, really am so lucky to be in the position I’m in.
MODERATOR: How do you think people will react walking out of Endless Love?
ALEX PETTYFER: I just hope that they have a good time. It’s a Valentine’s movie. It’s lovely, it’s charming – it’s not a serious movie. It’s just there to have fun, and just remind us of love.
MODERATOR: And speaking of that – any plans for Valentine’s Day?
ALEX PETTYFER: Yeah, my mom is going to be my Valentine’s date.
Endless Love is currently in theaters! Make sure you see it! Seriously everyone, I am forever in support of this guy’s career after this interview. It was really nice to see humility from Hollywood.
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