Happy Sad Confused

It would be so easy to hate Armie Hammer. He's been blessed with the kind of looks that would make Captain America roll his eyes. He was born into privilege. And he was cast as one of the most iconic superheroes ever (Batman) at 19 years old with virtually zero film experience. But damn it, try not to fall in love with Armie Hammer. Go ahead listen to this podcast and try! Good luck. In this episode of "Happy Sad Confused", Hammer proves himself to be a charming self effacing storyteller (how many times did he see "Titanic" in the theater?!?) and gets candid on the up and down arc of his career -- from the highs of "The Social Network" to the lows of "The Lone Ranger". Plus Armie talks about his beloved new film, "Call Me By Your Name", why he could only have done it now, and why he's cool with becoming a dancing internet meme. All of that AND Josh picks Armie's brain about the long lost "Justice League" film he almost starred in, why he doesn't have any desire to play a superhero, and whether he'd ever work with Roman Polanski.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It seemed like an impossible proposition for any filmmaker but somehow miraculously Denis Villeneuve achieved the next to impossible -- directing a sequel to "Blade Runner" that actually may rival (and in some critics' estimation surpass) the original. In this SPOILER-filled (you've been warned!) conversation about "Blade Runner 2049" with filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, Josh finds out how why Denis couldn't pass up the opportunity to direct, what scene worried him all the way up to release, and whether a 3rd installment may in fact still come to pass (spoiler: it might!). Plus Josh talks to Villeneuve about his love of sci-fi, what he's planning for his adaptation for "Dune", and what could lure the director to the Star Wars universe.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben Mendelsohn admits that only a few years ago he'd all but given up on his dreams of a film career. For a couple decades he'd experienced pockets of success in his home country of Australia but while his contemporaries like Russell Crowe and Guy Pearce broke through it just seemed like it was never going to happen for Mendelsohn. As Mendelsohn tells the story in this episode of "Happy Sad Confused", it all changed with a little crime thriller named "Animal Kingdom". Since then it's been a remarkable run for Ben and he tells Josh all about it here, from starring opposite Ryan Reynolds in "Mississippi Grind" to playing an instantly iconic Star Wars villain in "Rogue One". Mendelsohn geeks out with Josh about their mutual love of his "Darkest Hour" co-star, Gary Oldman, plus he talks about the prospect of playing a villain in "Captain Marvel" and reveals why his dream role is Doctor Doom! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jon Bernthal knows how lucky he is. "Art has saved my life," he says on this episode of "Happy Sad Confused". In truth, it's a lot more than luck that's gotten Bernthal to where he is today, a much in demand actor on the big and small screen.  Bernthal has definitely had an atypical journey, from getting his nose broken more times than he can count to studying his craft in Moscow. He talks about it all with Josh including how "The Walking Dead" turned his life around and how the premature departure of executive producer Frank Darabont rattled him. Plus, Jon and Josh talk about their mutual love for Shia LaBeouf and why The Punisher is the comic character Bernthal was best suited for.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Josh Hutcherson only seems to be the most well adjusted child actor turned young adult performer in Hollywood. In fact, as you'll learn in this episode of "Happy Sad Confused", Josh is hiding an abundance of secret traumas, from Tom Hanks mocking his flatulence on the set of "The Polar Express" to having his first kiss be on camera for "Little Manhattan". Thankfully Josh takes it all in stride on this episode of "Happy Sad Confused" which gets a little raunchy thanks to his filthy (and hilarious) new Hulu show, "Future Man". Josh also talks about the moment he thought he'd landed the role of Spider-Man, how he looks back on "The Hunger Games" and why he's sick of Los Angeles.  Josh also stars in the James Franco comedy, "The Disaster Artist", out in theaters in December! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kenneth Branagh has been nominated for an Academy Award in 5 different categories, acted and directed in critical favorites and blockbusters alike, gotten his hands and feet enshrined just this month in Hollywood, and is generally considered THE foremost interpreter of Shakespeare's work on the stage and screen today. He also somehow remains humble and grounded and hungry for new challenges, all of which comes up this episode of "Happy Sad Confused".  Branagh makes a return visit to the podcast to discuss his 70mm production of the Agatha Christie classic "Murder on the Orient Express". The actor/director also discusses what it was like to achieve fame and acclaim in his 20s, how his upbringing kept him humble, his thoughts on "Thor: Ragnarok", and why he'll always return to "Hamlet" throughout his career.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's no rule that says film directors have to be as entertaining as their films but Taika Waititi is just that. His films, from "What We Do In The Shadows" to "Hunt for the Wilderpeople" are overflowing with charm and humor and the same can be said for the Kiwi director. All of which is to say, this is a fun episode of "Happy Sad Confused" with Waititi visiting Josh to talk about his thrilling new film, "Thor: Raganrok". Josh and Taika talk about the the influences on the film (and Taika himself), including "Flash Gordon" and "Big Trouble in Little China", why the director may take on "Akira" and what amazing flashback scene almost ended up in the Thor sequel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's not lost on Adrianne Palicki how tough an iconic TV show is to follow up. But lightning may be striking twice for her as the actress is enjoying the early success of her new series on Fox, "The Orville".  This week on "Happy Sad Confused", Adrianne talks about her genre friendly career, from comic books and action films like "John Wick" to what it's like to go full sci-fi on "The Orville", a true passion project for Seth MacFarlane.  Adrianne also talks about "Friday Night Lights" of course, her dream spin-off for the show, and why so much of the cast (including herself) still live in Austin. Plus, she talks about being one of a select few actresses who have gotten to play Wonder Woman! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's been an eventful few years for Sarah Silverman and all not necessarily for the better. One need only look at the three dedications on her latest comedy special, "A Speck of Dust" to realize she's been dealing with loss. But Sarah is nothing if not resilient (well, resilient and hysterical) and she's focused her energies lately on an abundance of exciting projects. This week on "Happy Sad Confused", the brilliant comedian discusses her new show for Hulu, "I Love You, America", acting in "Battle of the Sexes", and even an upcoming musical project! Plus, Sarah reminisces about the impact Garry Shandling had on her career, how she nearly died last year after a routine check up, and why she decided to speak up at the Democratic National Convention last summer.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chadwick Boseman doesn't get intimidated easily. At least that seems to be the case when you look at the roles he's tackled in his young film career. From Jackie Robinson in "42" to James Brown in "Get on Up", and now no less than Thurgood Marshall in "Marshall", Boseman is not only stepping to the plate for bigtime biopics, he's excelling with each and every performance. It's no wonder Marvel snapped up Chadwick for their next superhero franchise, the eagerly anticipated "Black Panther". In this first visit to "Happy Sad Confused", Chadwick talks about his much different career and life back in New York City before his film career took off, where his priorities lie, and why he's feeling the pressure playing Black Panther.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices