Severance star Adam Scott: ‘There’s nothing wrong with being told that you resemble Tom Cruise’

The way your face changes in the Severance elevator is incredible. Are you thinking about anything in particular when you do it? Lott49
We worked on that for a long time, trying to figure out what specifically happens in the elevator. We must have tried 100 times before we landed on it. Eventually, Ben [Stiller, the director] suggested a subtle fluttering of my eyelids as my character goes through the shift between his “innie” and “outie” personas.

How intimidating was it working on The Aviator? PatHobby
I was pretty freaked out at first. But once you’re there, you realise these are just regular people who happen to be actors figuring out a scene. Everyone was extremely kind and generous to me and made me feel comfortable straight away.

It also became clear very quickly how Martin Scorsese gets such great performances. He’s incredibly collaborative and encourages you to bring yourself to the proceedings and improvise. I’m in one scene with Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett and Jude Law on this giant Cocoanut Grove [nightclub] set. You really get a sense of the respect people have for Scorsese, because, between takes, you could hear a pin drop. Everyone was focused on making the best possible movie. But within that context, it was also loose, collaborative and great fun.

Adam Scott pictured in a lift in a scene from Severance

You’ve played lots of very nervous characters. Are you like that in real life or are you more confident when you’re being Adam? ampersam
When I was starting out, I was cast as nervous characters, because I was nervous in all my auditions. So the only roles I would get were ones where I was a nervous person. It’s kind of a default setting for me. Maybe I am the go-to nervous guy, who knows? But I’ve worked on it.

Did your Celtic roots help you feel at home while shooting your new film, Hokum, in Ireland? Soap95
It’s difficult not to feel at home when you’re in Skibbereen in west Cork. I got to stay at the Liss Ard estate, one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. And the people are the loveliest. No matter who you are, you’re going to feel at home there.

How often do people tell you that you look a bit like Tom Cruise? Reedsmith
I do get it every once in a while. I mean, it’s a huge compliment. I love Tom Cruise, I love his work and I think he looks spectacular. There’s nothing wrong with being told that you resemble Tom Cruise. Maybe we could play brothers.

You had me when I found out how much you loved REM’s Exhuming McCarthy. I’m a lifelong fan, but I can’t put my finger on why I like them so much. Have you worked out why they’re so great? Moralkiosk
When I became aware of REM, there was still a lot of mystery around them. They weren’t in their own music videos. Even if you bought one of their albums, it was hard to find a photo of them and you couldn’t understand what Michael Stipe was saying. The music was weird. The song structures were different. But at the same time, it was pop music – hooky, and the songwriting was bulletproof. It had just enough mystery and weirdness while still scratching that pop itch. Their clothes were cool, they had cool hair, so when I was a teenager, I immediately connected with them. I still think they’re the best American band ever.

Adam Scott holding a lamp and looking concerned

Considering your character in Parks and Recreation loves calzones, what three ingredients would you add to your ideal version (assuming cheese and mozzarella are a given)? snr_wilson
Well, not to be a stickler, but I believe mozzarella is cheese, right? So saying “cheese and mozzarella” is not only redundant, but makes me question everything. You can’t go wrong with pepperoni. But I haven’t had that many calzones in my life. They do get sent to my table in restaurants from time to time. I’m always appreciative, so I take a photo – and thank [the Parks and Recreation writer] Mike Schur for this lifelong calzone ghost that’s following me around.

I delivered pizzas for a summer in the early 90s and calzones were quite popular with stoners, because it’s like a folded portable pizza – a pizza sandwich. I would deliver three calzones, two pints of Ben & Jerry’s and a Cheech & Chong movie, because we would rent videotapes as well. It was always the stoners renting the trippy movie, ice-cream and the calzones.

Will there ever be another Parks and Rec reunion? wryape
I doubt it, but that’s above my pay grade. That’s Amy [Poehler] and Mike’s decision – they’re the keepers of the flame. It was a dream job and I’m proud to say none of us took it for granted. We all loved being there and knew how lucky we were. We were perpetually on the verge of cancellation while we were making the show. People loved it, but it wasn’t watched by enormous numbers at the time. It’s certainly grown in popularity since then, and I’m happy it has.

The cast of Parks and Recreation pull scared faces while standing next to someone wearing a bear outfit

What was it like when you met Pope Leo XIV last year? MayumiS
I think Pope Leo is terrific. I’m not Catholic – I’m probably closer to agnostic – but it was fascinating just being at the Vatican. I’ve really admired the stances he’s taken. He’s not afraid of the Trump administration and doesn’t stand for any of their bullshit. I don’t really know why I was invited, but I was delighted and jumped at the chance. He was talking about the importance of movies – specifically how movie theatres are communal places for people to come together and share experiences in a world where that’s becoming less and less common. He was really encouraging us, as a creative community, to keep making movies, to keep putting movies in cinemas, and encouraging exhibitors to keep their movie theatres open.

The Guardian wp:paragraph