Oscar Winner Javier Bardem Talks ‘Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile’
Moviefone speaks with Javier Bardem about ‘Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile.’ "What attracted me was to be in a movie that my kids want me to do," the actor said.
Opening in theaters on October 7th is the live-action/animated musical comedy ‘Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile,’ which is an adaption of the beloved children’s story by author Bernard Waber.
Directed by Will Speck and Josh Gordon, the new movie stars musician Shawn Mendes as the voice of Lyle, an anthropomorphic saltwater crocodile who can't talk but can sing!
After moving to New York City with his family, Josh (Winslow Fegley) befriends Lyle and tries to protect him from the evil Mr. Grumps (Brett Gelman). Now, in order to save Lyle, Josh and his parents (Constance Wu and Scoot McNairy) must team up with Lyle’s charismatic owner, Hector P. Valenti (Javier Bardem).
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Oscar-winner Javier Bardem about is work on ‘Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile,’ why he wanted to make the movie, playing Hector P. Valenti, the challenges of acting opposite an animated character, and musician Shawn Mendes voice performance.
Javier Bardem as Hector P. Valenti in Columbia Pictures ‘Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile.'
You can read our full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Bardem, Brett Gelman, Scoot McNairy, Winslow Fegley, and directors Will Speck and Josh Gordon.
Moviefone: To begin with, this is a different type of role than what you usually play. What interested you in taking on this character and being involved in this project?
Javier Bardem: Well, many things. First of all, to be able to be in a movie that is not the kind of movie I'm used to do, and explore that world, but most important to be in a movie that my kids want me to do because they will love the idea of me playing a role in front of a crocodile that sings. So that was a big part of it.
But at the end of the day, what attracted me the most is the story at the heart of the story, the core of it, which is the relationship between the family and the crocodile. What that beautiful, loving, caring, funny animal brings to the family and the joy of it. To be able to be in a movie that's about joy and magic and music.
MF: Can you talk about how Hector and Lyle first meet?
JB: Well, there's a whole story. I am the owner of the crocodile, and we've done lots of shows together, but then he grew. He got bigger and bigger, and then we have to make some decisions, and that's where the movie takes a different direction. But I cannot say anymore because it will be a spoiler.
(L to R) Lyle meets Hector P. Valenti (Javier Bardem) for the first time in Columbia Pictures ‘Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile.'
MF: What was your reaction when you heard musician Shawn Mendes would be voicing Lyle?
JB: Shawn Mendes is amazing. The way he sings is so beautiful. His voice and his range are crazy good. The crocodile with his voice is so tender, it's so sweet, and it's so nice. But also, he's strong. When he needs to be strong, it's like, "Wow." That gives a different layer and very deep layer to the crocodile.
MF: Can you talk about the challenges of acting opposite an animated character?
JB: There were three different things. One, there was a fellow actor dressed like a crocodile with cables, lights and things that will later be computerized. Then there was a tiny little doll when he was little, which was very cute. Then there was the emptiness. It was the empty space. Most of it was empty space, and that's tough, but that's also fun in the sense that you have to put your imagination to work. That's fun to do. That's what we do for a living, and to really be able to see it and feel it.
MF: Finally, how did you prepare to play Hector P. Valenti and what was your approach to the character?
JB: Well, there's still a lot of preparation in order for me to be able to move and sing, let me tell you. That's not an easy task. So, it took a lot of time for me to be able to feel at ease with the choreography and the singing. But that's the good part of being surrounded by people who do great things around you, is that they teach you how to do it.
Javier Bardem stars as Hector P. Valenti in Columbia Pictures ‘Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile.'
