Thank you to Disney for covering my expenses on our press trip to interview Zachary Levi, among others. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
On the same day that we were able to sit down and interview Tom Hiddleston and Jaimie Alexander, we also had the pleasure of speaking with Zachary Levi. Zachary, well-known for the title role in the television series Chuck and for the voice of Flynn Rider in Tangled, picked up the role of Fandral for Thor: The Dark World.
Yes, it was a whole lot of awesome in one day.
Photo Credit: MomStart.com
Bumps and Bruises
The first question our group asked was actually one that a fan had submitted. They wanted to know how battered and bruised he got. “I didn’t get that battered and bruised,” he responded. “There were a couple, I think I dislocated a rib at one point but that was a freak accident. Probably the worst thing that happened to me was I slammed my finger in my trailer door. Which is incredibly unglamorous.”
There aren’t a lot of people that would admit to a slammed finger in a door as being the biggest injury he received in an action movie. But that was one of my favorite things about talking with Zachary: he was so real and down-to-earth. He’s really the kind of guy you’d like to hang out with.
Maybe I Am Super Human
Being that this was a Marvel film, we of course had to ask him if he was a fan of the Marvel Universe or comics in general. “Absolutely! All of it, yeah. I was really big into X-Men, the whole kind of mutant category, like X-Men, X-Factor, and X-Force, New Mutants, all that kind of stuff I really, really loved. Spider-Man, Iron Man to an extent, and Captain America. But the mutants were always to me the most relatable. Because you felt like, as a kid, well maybe I have that in me and it just hasn’t manifested yet. You know what I mean? Like I can get to a place and eventually I’ll realize I am super human and this will be great.”
The Smolder
One of the members of our group shared with him that she had a 4-year-old that is in love with Flynn Rider, and asked about Flynn Rider’s charm. He said, “I feel like I’ve played my share of nerdy characters, and that’s an easy dial for me – the nerdy dial. But Flynn Rider was a dream come true. I mean, I grew up doing nothing but watching Disney cartoons and movies – and particularly musicals – and loving all of them, and dreaming about getting to do just that.”
Towards the end of the interview, even though he protested that he couldn’t do it as well as Flynn, Zachary was awesome enough to give us “The Smolder”. Trust me – he’s every bit as good as his alter ego. So fun!
Singing at the Oscars
Photo Credit: telegraph.co.uk/
The Tangled conversation continued a bit as we asked him about his performance with Mandy Moore at the 2010 Oscars, singing their Best Song-nominated “I See the Light” song from Tangled. He confirmed that it was “the most never-wracking experience of my life. It was a dream come true, but a dream I didn’t even realize that I had until it was happening. As a performer, you know, I’ve dreamed about performing on Broadway, and now I’ve finally gotten to do that, which is incredible and I’m so incredibly blessed to have that opportunity in my life. I’ve been so blessed on every level.”
“I literally since I was a little kid, all I wanted to do was entertain people and do film, and television, and theater at the highest level and it just, God continues to go, here you go, here you go, here you go,” he continued. “And I know that doesn’t happen for most people in the world, so I don’t take it lightly.” I was really impressed that he seemed so grateful for everything that he had been given and that he was so open in talking about his faith.
Photo Credit: MomStart.com
Then he resumed his Oscars story. “My publicist had the presence of mind to not tell me that a billion people were going to be watching that particular telecast worldwide – it was nerve-wracking enough. You come out, and everyone you could ever dream about wanting to work with is there, and they could hire you or not hire you depending on how bad you might bomb. And Halle Berry is sitting in front. Basically all I was thinking was ‘Don’t look at Halle, don’t look at Halle, don’t look at Halle, don’t look at Halle, Halle, Halle, Halle, Halle, Halle, Halle, don’t look at Halle. It’s very intimidating, she’s a beautiful woman.”
As you can probably tell, Zachary is just a really cool guy. Very grounded, very fun, very full of energy. If you haven’t already caught it, definitely go check him out in his role of Fandral in Thor: The Dark World. You won’t be disappointed!
What is your favorite Zachary Levi role?
About Liza
Liza is a mom (5-year-old daughter, 20-year-old stepson, and 24-year-old stepdaughter) and wife living in Louisville. She loves spending time with her family, visiting the local zoo and parks, as well as planning travel adventures. Cooking and baking, DIY projects and crafts, and coffee - lots and lots of coffee - round out some of her other hobbies.
Oh how fun – cannot wait to see the Thor, but loved Flynn Ryder too, of course!
Ha, very true about mutants. I’m pretty sure I have some super human powers in me, go ahead and come out already! I could use the help! LOL
As a mom of little ones, I have seen Tangled so many times. I’d have to say that is my favorite character of his. He seems like a really great guy!
He was so nice, Jamie – really. Just fun and easy-going. I’m a little partial to his Flynn Rider role, myself!
Wow – it sounds like you had an amazing interview with him. I can’t wait to see the new Thor!
He sounds like a cool guy!
So looking forward to seeing Thor!!! great interview–you were so lucky to have been chosen to go!! congrats very well done
Very interesting! I bet you had a great time on that trip! It looked AWESOME!
I loved the smolder! That scene (and the whole movie) was great!
LOL, I had forgotten about the smoulder, how could I!?
I’m not sure if I’ve seen him in anything, but I would like to see Thor!
Now he is just adorable. What a sweet personality! Tangled is one of my new favorites
I’m not sure my favorite, but wow, how much fun that must have been for you!
I like he was all like, I wasn’t battered too bad — but then says he dislocated a rib. That would have been a big deal to me!
I know, Kecia! I totally think that’s a big deal!
I suspect this is the role I’ll like the most once I see it. You know I didn’t realize this was the same guy that sang at the Oscars!
I know what you mean, Liz! His role of Fandral has him looking so different than his others.
I can’t wait to see Thor: The Dark World! The first Thor movie is actually my favorite superhero movie!
I love him. Just seriously love him. What a great interview, thanks for sharing. Can’t wait to see him in Thor!
I loved him as Flynn Rider. I love Tangled! Maybe that will change when I see the new Thor.
He’s definitely handsome! Oh I bet the smolder was just as good but better because he was doing it in person! Very cool press trip!! They have to be amazing experiences!
Zachary Levi sounds like a real, down-to-earth type of guy who is sweet and loving to all those around him including his fans. I have enjoyed his TV and movie appearances. I look forward to seeing more of him in the future.
He was really very cool to talk to, Nicole
I’ll be in his corner forever, now!
My husband and I went to see Thor 2 at the theaters the day it came out and Zachary was great in it. He has great comedic timing and is such a flirt on screen
Glad you had a chance to see it! I am in love – such a great movie. And yes, Zachary was awesome as Fandral!
I adore him as Chuck and love seeing him in this very different role.
I was wondering who in the world this guy was… but as soon as you said he did the voice of Flynn Rider, I knew! We watch Tangled at least once a day because our daughter loves it so much.
It’s so awesome that you got to go and interview these actors!
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