Tower HeistAn Interview with Michael Pena
by Wilson Morales
November 3, 2011
Coming out this week is the ensemble comedy film, ‘Tower Heist,’ starring Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Matthew Broderick, Téa Leoni, Gabourey Sidibe, Casey Affleck, Stephen Henderson, Judd Hirsch, Michael Pena, and Alan Alda.
The film is a comedy caper about working stiffs who seek revenge on the Wall Street swindler who stiffed them. After the workers at a luxury Central Park condominium discover the penthouse billionaire has stolen their retirement, they plot the ultimate revenge: a heist to reclaim what he took from them.
For Pena, he’s had one outstanding year with ‘Heist’ being his 5th film release in 2011 after ‘Everything Must Go,’ ‘Battle: Los Angeles,’ ‘The Lincoln Lawyer,’ ’30 Minutes or Less.’
In speaking with Blackfilm.com, Pena talks about his character, doing comedy films, and working with Ben and Eddie.
How would you describe your character?
Michael Pena: I play Enrique Dev’Reaux and I think he’s a fun loving sort of guy who jumps at the opportunity to work at this luxury building. When I was a kid, I was working at a bank, you make more cash and it’s exciting and your dealing with different people of power. My character is just excited.
Enrique wasn’t working at the tower long enough to have lost any money so why do you think he joined Ben and the others with the heist?
MP: Well, Ben Stiller’s character recruited me out of necessity because he needed someone with electrical knowledge and he thought I had a Masters in Electricity when I’m just a master at electronics, which is what I had on my resume. His life took a hit when the guy he admired and respected, played by Alan Alda, was really scamming everyone. He’s upset over it, like everyone is, and definitely would love to get the money back.
When you read the script and saw that it these host of comedians, did you think you could do this?
MP: I thought I could it because this is my third comedy. The first one was with Seth Rogen in ‘Observe and Report’ and I also did ’30 Minutes or Less’ with Jesse Eisenberg and Danny McBride. To be honest with you, I was hoping I could do it and pull it off. When I went in for the audition, I was a bit nervous. It was with Brett Ratner and Ben Stiller and you just pray to God that you can do it.
When working opposite Ben and Eddie Murphy, two gifted comedians, did you think you could bring in your own funny bones to the mix?
MP: For me, it was a blessing. Brett, from the very beginning, said that he wanted to make a different type of film from what others have seen before. He said that he didn’t want to do a film with just jokes, because if it is, then the weight of the film falls on Ben and Eddie. He wanted me to be real and let the comedy come from the reality of the situation. Then he gives you more confidence as opposed to giving me one liners to say. I felt like I was acting like I’m normally am but not in a dramatic role.
How was working with the rest of the cast?
MP: We really got along on set and there was a good chemistry amongst the crew. In films, it’s hit or miss. Sometimes you meet people who you really along with and like the same things and at times it doesn’t happen. I grew up watching Matthew Broderick and I’m a huge fan of ‘The Freshmen’ and of course ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.’ With Casey, he was great in ‘Gone Baby Gone.’ At first, I was too much of a fan where Matthew had to say, “Ok Michael, that’s enough.” We just got along.
Was there any particular scene you, as a group, enjoyed shooting?
MP: The scene with Eddie Murphy where he’s handing out Bobby pins. We were all consistently laughing throughout the entire scene and it was one of the first scenes we shot and I thought this would be a good film if I’m already laughing on the first day.
You’ve had an amazing year with five films shown in theaters. How exciting is it to know that you’re becoming a household name if not already?
MP: I’m definitely not a household name but I do love to work. I try to keep busy as possible and I love being in good movies. ‘The Lincoln Lawyer’ and ‘Battle: Los Angeles’ were good and did pretty well at the box office, so that’s always helpful. With ’30 Minutes or Less’ and ‘Tower Heist,’ these are two different comedies. It’s a bit of a dream and I pinch myself because working at a bank 15 years ago, I never thought that it would be like this. It’s good times.
What do you look for when choosing films?
MP: I just go for the story. I could two films back-to-back where I’m playing a soldier, but the odds that both films are very similar are slim to none. For me, it’s how good is the script? How involved am I in the script? And does it affect me emotionally? With ‘Tower Heist’ and Wall Street and all these Ponzi schemes, you want some of these guys to get payback and some of them don’t. Anything I can get emotionally involved and where I love the story, I want to be a party. Like ‘Gangster Squad,’ which I’m filming now with Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling, and Josh Brolin, the script was awesome.
What’s your role in ‘Gangster Squad’?
MP: I’m one of the Gangster Squad, which consists of me, Josh Brolin, Ryan Goslin, Anthony Mackie, and Giovanni Ribisi.
Have you finished shooting ‘End of Watch’?
MP: I just finished it before I started on ‘Gangster Squad.’ It’s Jake Gyllenhaal and me in the film. I haven’t co-starred in a film in a while so it was pretty nice to do. Jake’s an actor’s actor and wants to make sure that everyone shines and he has no ego about it. It was a pleasure working with him.
