Stephan James Interview National Champions

Stephan James Interview: National Champions

National Champions star Stephan James talks about working with J.K. Simmons, what drew him to the football film, and his time working on Degrassi.

You Are Reading :[thien_display_title]

National Champions tells the story of college athletes who ignite a player’s strike three days before the college football national championship game. The players won’t compete until all student-athletes are fairly compensated. Leading this strike are star quarterback LeMarcus James (Stephan James) and teammate Emmett Sunday (Alexander Ludwig).

Stephan James spoke to Screen Rant about what drew him to National Champions, working with the incredible cast, and his time on Degrassi.

Screen Rant: What do you think National Champions brings to the conversation? I guess that’s just a fancy way of saying what attracted you to this project?

Stephan James: I like that we could tell a whole story about football, about sports, about institutionalization without ever having to be on the field. That’s really what drew me to this story. This wonderfully talented young man, LeMarcus, who wanted to be a part of something that was bigger than himself.

And that to me is the true marker of any role that I really decide to take on is one, entertainment value, and factoring in that because we’re in the entertainment business, but secondly, wanting to just tell stories that matter and tell stories that are important, and topical, and speak to the world that we’re living in today. So, hopefully, this film just helps amplify the conversation that’s already being had.

What are your favorite qualities about LeMarcus? Do you feel like you relate to him as a character?

Stephan James: Yeah, definitely. I like that he’s a leader; I like that when he speaks up, he’s got something to say, and people listen. I think that that is a true marker of strength and of leadership and the qualities that LeMarcus had to have to be the quarterback of his team.

I knew that the speeches were going to be important, the way that the information was communicated. Somebody who had his head on his shoulders, and knew the facts, and knew how to speak about them with conviction, that was a really, really important thing for me. That was a big part of my research – really, really understanding the facts and understanding it from these players’ perspectives to understand how they really see it all.

See also  How Pathfinder Kingmaker Leads Into Wrath of the Righteous

And what a cast my God. When it came to being on set with all these players, was there anyone whose brain you really wanted to pick the most?

Stephan James: I would just say that I’m still a big student of this acting game. And so, for me, it’s always a true joy to be around folks who I’ve watched and admired throughout my career and even before I started acting and so, of course, to share the screen with J.K. Simmons just means the world to me. He just has so much presence and brings so much energy and life to anything that it has no choice but to raise the level of performance with the average around you.

And then you look at someone like Uzo [Aduba], she gave me chills. I couldn’t even at times, I was just like, “Okay, I don’t even know if I can do my side of the scene because she was so powerful.” So for me, just incredibly lucky, incredibly blessed to be around these great artists who bring so much to the table.

As someone who loves J.K. Simmons as J. Jonah Jameson and loves Whiplash, what is it like to live my dream of getting screamed at by J.K. Simmons?

Stephan James: You know what, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I was like, “If you don’t yell at me in this film, then it won’t be worth it.” So yeah, again, just a complete beast and it raises the level of performance for for the other artists in the room.

What is something that you learned about yourself as a result of working on this film?

Stephan James: I actually learned a lot about myself in terms of improvising because I really haven’t done a lot of improv since my high school theater days. And Ric [Roman Waugh], our director was really big about just sort of riffing on different things and different ideas.

And so there were multiple moments during some of those segments where you see me talking to the players, trying to rally the troops, if you will, that I just was just making things up off the top of my head because he was just like, “Go with it, roll with it.” I think then when you’re informed you’re able to play around like that. And so if anything, I learned that I’m better at improv and I remember I was.

See also  Marvel 10 Hidden Details Everyone Missed In The Black Panther Poster

Where does your focus go after National Champions comes out? You have so much in the works right now.

Stephan James: I have a lot going on. Firstly, I’m just really blessed to have the world see this film come December 10. It’s such an important story. But I’ll obviously continue to be working.

I’m working on a show next year with Lena Headey for AMC, which I’m really, really excited about. So a lot of good things coming down the pipeline, for sure.

I will find any excuse to bring up Degrassi, it consumed my life for so long. What is it like getting a script for that show?

Stephan James: I will say this, for a young Canadian actor, Degrassi is like a rite of passage. You just got to do it. I remember for years auditioning for that show. And then once I finally got on, just being the biggest fan of the show. I was just so pleased. I felt so accomplished.

Degrassi is a great show. I think they’re still going on; I don’t follow too much. But they’ve been around for many years. I mean, decades, really; 30 plus years of just being able to tell great stories for you. So I’m definitely glad that that was a part of my journey.

What happened to Julian? Where did he end up?

Stephan James: I couldn’t tell you.

With all these projects coming up, what is something that you look for in a script, something that you feel needs to stand out to you in order for you to take on a project?

Stephan James: For one, you look at story and entertainment value. But singularly, I look to play characters that are human, that are grounded, that are relatable. And even if you don’t understand them off the top, hopefully, by the end of the film, you have a better understanding of them.

I’d be lying if I said that I have it all mapped out and I want to do this, I’m gonna do that, and I’m on this, but, as these things come into my orbit, as any actor does, I read it and I decide where’s this human being coming from? Is there something within this person that is within myself? Or is there something that’s provoking me to be the vessel to tell this story? I’m usually pretty good at listening to my inner dialogue.

Link Source : https://screenrant.com/national-champions-movie-stephan-james-interview/

Movies -