Will Arnett discusses his first dramatic role in 'Is This Thing On,' his happiness on 'SmartLess,' and his desire for more 'Murderville' and 'Lego Batman' opportunities.

Will Arnett recalls lying on his couch in Sullivan Street, questioning whether he had just delivered the best or worst scene of his career. The moment came after filming the intense vampire scene in Bradley Coopers Is This Thing On, where his character Alex unravels during a stand-up set, losing touch with reality in front of a comedy club audience. There were no guarantees, only raw vulnerability from a 55-year-old actor stepping away from his usual heightened comedic personas to embrace authentic emotion.

Throughout his career, Arnett has been known for playing characters who shield their feelings behind wit, bravado, or sarcasm, from Arrested Development to BoJack Horseman and the self-referential humor of The Lego Batman Movie. In Is This Thing On, he presents a strikingly honest performance, devoid of irony or comedic armor. Arnett also co-wrote the film, immersing himself in a story that required personal and emotional risk.

Ive played a lot of heightened characters over the years, Arnett admits. But this role demanded stripping everything down. Bradley kept telling me, You have to let it all go. Dont worry about the result. Just be. And Id think, This is tough. He was right. We had to start from zero every moment.

Starting from zero became Arnetts mantra, highlighting that dramatic acting is less about technique and more about embracing discomfort. He draws inspiration from actors like Benicio Del Toro and Paul Giamatti, marveling at how they make demanding performances look effortless.

The idea for Is This Thing On originated years ago when Arnett met John Bishop, a divorced father who found solace in Monday night open mic comedy. Bishops story, balancing single parenthood and emotional release through comedy, deeply resonated with Arnett. Yet initially, he felt hesitant to dive into the storys emotional depth. It was only after Bradley Cooper joined the project that Arnett found the courage to explore these challenging emotional territories.

Filming the movie tested Arnett more than he anticipated. Certain scenes left him feeling waist deep in mud, demanding skills he hadnt exercised since his early 20s at Lee Strasbergs acting school. Age, however, brought clarity. Arnett embraced a philosophy of prioritizing joy over approval, guided by the grounding presence of his children and the lessons learned from his podcast SmartLess with Jason Bateman and Sean Hayes.

The casting of Laura Dern as Alexs ex-wife Tess proved pivotal. Their relationship, as co-parents, became the emotional anchor of the film, highlighting cooperation and mutual care rather than conflict. Coopers direction further emphasized subtlety, encouraging Arnett to find emotion in stillness and silence.

Arnetts approach to acting evolved into focusing less on performing and more on simply existing within the moment. After decades making audiences laugh, he now seeks to make them feel. On the Variety Awards Circuit Podcast, Arnett discussed his journey into dramatic roles, personal growth, and reflections on celebrity culture and gratitude.

Inspiration and Career Choices

Arnett cites actors like Benicio Del Toro and Paul Giamatti as benchmarks for effortless yet deeply demanding performances. He emphasizes that at 55, his priorities have shifted: his children remain his baseline, and he now seeks projects that bring joy and personal connection. Choosing roles that resonate with him has become essential, rather than following predictable or purely lucrative paths.

Views on Celebrity Culture

Arnett reflects on the distorted perceptions of celebrity life, citing Irish author Sally Rooneys insight on public assumptions about personal choices. He underscores that perception is subjective, and personal understanding remains the only authentic measure.

Future Projects

Arnett expresses interest in returning to Murderville and collaborating again with Bradley Cooper. He also looks forward to revisiting the Lego Batman universe with directors Lord and Miller, recalling the joy and creativity of those projects. Currently, Arnett has been focused on promoting Is This Thing On, which is now in theaters.

Author: Maya Henderson