Owen Wilson Talks New Comedy 'Paint' and Spoofing Bob Ross
Moviefone speaks with Owen Wilson about 'Paint.' "It's a nod to Bob Ross and I was a little bit anxious in the beginning preparing for it," the actor said.
Opening in theaters on April 7th is the new comedy ‘Paint,’ which marks the feature film debut of writer and director Brit McAdams.
What is the plot of ‘Paint?’
'Paint' stars Owen Wilson as Carl Nargle, Vermont’s #1 public television painter who is convinced he has it all: a signature perm, custom van, and fans hanging on his every stroke. Everything changes for Carl when the station hires Ambrosia (Ciara Renée), a younger, better artist who begins to steal everything and everyone Carl loves, including his producer and ex-lover, Katherine (Michaela Watkins).
Who is in the cast of ‘Paint?’
‘Paint’ stars Owen Wilson (‘The Royal Tenenbaums,’ ‘The French Dispatch’) as Carl Nargle, Michaela Watkins (‘Wanderlust’) as Katherine, Ciara Renée (‘DC’s Legends of Tomorrow’) as Ambrosia, Wendi McLendon-Covey (‘Bridesmaids’) as Wendy, Lusia Strus (’50 First Dates’) as Beverly, Elizabeth Loyacano (‘Demolition’) as Alexandra Moore, Stephen Root (‘Office Space’) as Tony, and Lucy Freyer as Jenna.
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Owen Wilson about his work on ‘Paint,’ playing Carl Nargle, taking inspiration from Bob Ross, finding the humor in the awkward moments, how Ambrosia threatens Carl’s position of power, and his relationship with Katherine.
Owen Wilson as Carl Nargle in the comedy film, 'Paint,' an IFC Films release. Photo courtesy of IFC Films.
You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Wilson and writer/director Brit McAdams.
Moviefone: To begin with, Carl Nargle is based on Bob Ross, but he's not Bob Ross, he's his own individual character. Could you talk about the challenges of discovering who Carl really was and what was your approach to playing the character?
Owen Wilson: Obviously, kind of his look and everything Carl, it's a nod to Bob Ross, and I think I was a little bit, sort of anxious in the beginning preparing for it. You know, Bob Ross has such a great quality that comes across when you watch him, and I think that explains how he's endured and how we could with Carl Nargle, explain that he also has people that passionately tune in and watch his show? The script was very specific about his voice having a soothing quality, and it was just trying to get that right. I think because of his look and the idea of everything going perfect in his life, he hasn't needed to change. That's why he's sort of stuck in 1978. It was just a fun, funny character to play.
Owen Wilson as Carl Nargle in the comedy film, 'Paint,' an IFC Films release. Photo courtesy of IFC Films.
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MF: Some of the funniest moments in the movie come from the characters’ reactions and the way the camera stays on them during the silent awkward moments. Is that where you found the humor of the movie?
OW: I think some of the awkwardness or the pain of having something like being rejected or not being popular, I think unless you've had a pretty incredible life, we've all felt that, and that's a big part of growing up. I don't think in some ways we ever lose that feeling or can certainly sympathize. Carl, he's dealing with some of that. It's funny to me kind of reading it, but of course it's very painful for him. That I think is what made the character, what I liked about playing it. It's not winking at the audience. It means everything to Carl.
(L to R) Ciara Renée as Ambrosia Long, Owen Wilson as Carl Nargle, and Lucy Freyer as Jenna in the comedy film, 'Paint,' an IFC Films release. Photo courtesy of IFC Films.
MF: Can you talk about how Carl’s inflated ego and position of power is threatened by the arrival of Ambrosia, and how he reacts to that?
OW: I think that the reason why Carl looks the way he does and drives the van is because he's stuck in this time where he began the show and everything has gone so well. So there's been no reason to change. Then all of a sudden Ambrosia, this new painter, comes along and begins to take everything and everyone that Carl loves. That's a scary feeling because we all, to some degree can't help but identify who we are with what we do. So if that's put in jeopardy, it's funny to see how people deal with that, struggle with it and react to it.
Michaela Watkins as Katherine in the comedy film, 'Paint,' an IFC Films release. Photo courtesy of IFC Films.
MF: Finally, can you talk about Carl’s relationship with Katherine and working on those scenes with Michaela Watkins?
OW: I know that we had some of the flashback scenes where we're first becoming romantic, falling in love and even embracing. There's a scene where I believe I'm kind of stroking her arm and she goes, "Oh, I think that's the armrest of the van." Then I'm like, "Oh, okay." Then I go back to her arm. She's like, "That's me, that's all me." It was funny, and I think it made us both laugh.
Owen Wilson stars in 'Paint,' an IFC Films release.
Other Movies Similar to ‘Paint:'
- ‘The Royal Tenenbaums' (2002)
- ‘The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou' (2004)
- 'Midnight in Paris' (2011)
- 'A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood' (2019)
- ‘The French Dispatch' (2021)
- 'Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed' (2021)
Buy Tickets: 'Paint' Movie Showtimes
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‘Paint’ is produced by Silver Lining Entertainment, White Birch Films, Blue Creek Pictures, and Balcony 9 Productions. It is set to release in theaters on April 7, 2023.
