When Michael Pena, T.I. & David Dastmalchian walked into the room for our Ant-Man interview, they were taken back by our greeting…applause. As you can see from the picture.
Considering their performance as the Ant-Man Antourage in the film, our applause for them was well deserved. From the moment they sat down, you could see the amazingly funny chemistry between them which explains why they did so awesome in the movie.
*I have to add that my favorite antourage member was Michael Pena, he is an absolute scene stealer in the film and I was pleased that he was just as funny in person.
T.I.: I wish I had a camera of ya’ll.
Michael Pena: Is somebody getting pictures of this? This is awesome.
At that point, Michael takes out his camera and captures a selfie of us (can you see me on the left hand side?) and then goes on to post it on his Instagram!
Getting to chat with Michael Pena, T.I. & David Dastmalchian was awesome! It was one of the most funny and entertaining interviews I have had the pleasure to be a part of.
*After this photo is taken, T.I. gave me a hug (well, he hugged most of us but when I retell the story, I may just say he hugged me…you won’t tell anyone right?)
We’re ready to get the interview started and the 1st question is asked and Michael says “I’m still on Instagram mode. Look how awesome it is man.” *I told you, Michael is hilarious!
Exclusive Ant-Man Interview with Michael Pena, T.I. & David Dastmalchian (Ant-Man’s Antourage)
Favorite Scene
T.I.: All of the scenes that we did together to me were funny. A lot of the van stuff. You don’t remember the first night we were in that van, the van in San Francisco?
Michael Pena: Instagram bro, Instagram. [EVERYONE LAUGHS]
T.I.: …in San Francisco. I think it was the scene when Scott was breaking into Hank Pym’s house for the first time. I mean, the stuff that didn’t make it on screen, now that’s the goal. That’s the action.
Michael Pena: I mean, that would be another kind of movie.
David Dastmalchian: You know what man, I have to ask you was that line, “I let you let me?”
T.I.: Yeah that was…
Michael Pena: Yeah that got a huge laugh, and there was only 10 of us in the…
David Dastmalchian: It was intimidating too. It’s scary. ‘Cause we’re big fans of these guys and everybody in the film and so the time we’re sitting here in the van. And they started to just go and rif, too. And they made me feel really welcome immediately, which was a great feeling. You feel more creatively free to do that, but like there were some jokes, obviously not all of ‘em can make it in the film, but….
Michael Pena:…of very poor taste.
David Dastmalchian: Oh.
T.I.: Oh man.
Michael Pena: And dancing, we had some fun dancing.
T.I.: Yeah. And you know every time he would make a joke because him and Luis and Scott were cellmates supposedly. So every time…
Michael Pena: No we were cell mates bro.
T.I.: Yeah. So every time they’d make mention of, “You know it’s just like when we were in the cell,” and we were like, “Oh really? Oh.” You know things like that.
Michael Pena: You get close bro.
David Dastmalchian: And then you don’t talk about cells.
T.I.: Yeah exactly.
Michael Pena: Yo the first thing about prison: you don’t talk about prison. Unless you wanna’ talk about prison.
Michael Pena as a child
Michael Pena: I was always a quiet kid, to be honest.
David Dastmalchian: What?!
Michael Pena: Yeah. I remember I got messages on Facebook, “Out of all people to be an actor you’re the guy?” [EVERYONE LAUGHS]. My best friend’s from Chicago and he was like, “Yeah dude. You know he was the quiet kid.” I was Captain of the Wrestling team and Track Team, and you know I loved sports and stuff. So that’s the only way that I really made friends, but I was kind of a nerd, to be honest. It’s hard to believe.
T.I.: You know man, me too.
Michael Pena: Were you really?
T.I.: Hell no.
Michael Pena: You know what, but he’s a smart dude though. He knows. T.I. being a nerd. I’m like, “I would believe it.” He’s a smart dude. I mean, he doesn’t rap about like just dumb stuff, you know.
About Michael’s character, Luis
Michael Pena: I’m imitating this guy, I won’t say his name, but he’s in my neighborhood. And I had the blessing of going to prep school and living in the ghetto, you know what I mean? Is what happens or whatever. And so I’d travel like an hour in the morning just to get to that school, come back and then all of a sudden “Dave’s” like, “And how did it go man? You want a nickel bag?” And I’m like, “No man, I’m good man. I gotta’ study and stuff.” He said, “But if you don’t want a nickel bag it’s cool.” You know, what I mean? “I got your bank. A regular you know what I’m saying?”
And then you know he’s the kind of dude that you always see. He got a girl pregnant when he was 13. Yeah, which is amazing, but he’s a really great dad, when he’s not in jail. And he’s the kind of dude that was like, “Hey whatcha’ do this weekend?” And he’s like, “Uh, I went to jail, guy.” “What you go to jail for?” He’s like, “Just smokin’ weed.” And I was like, “Actually, like smokin’ weed is not illegal.” Like what, what, show me what happened.” He’s like, “So literally I was like—,” and he uses big words…
So it was like I was waitin’ for a movie to put that character in there. It was odd because he’s the most optimistic criminal that I’ve ever met in my life. But, you know, everybody loves him, but at the same time, like, you gotta’ be kidding me. So, that’s Luis.
Working with Michael Pena
David Dastmalchian: …right tho ‘cause we know, I know him. I know he’s done some comedy work before, but he’s so famous for these killer dramatic roles and stuff. And the first time we’re on set and he started making T.I. and I just bust out, I was like that’s not the dude that I was expecting.
T.I.: Right.
David Dastmalchian: He’s so brilliant in this film, and I love it.
T.I.: Yeah.
Getting involved with Ant-Man
T.I.: For me, I think along when it was first mentioned that there would be uh an Ant-Man film someone mentioned me in association with it, and all over the blogs and everywhere. Like, “Yo T.I.’s gonna’ be in it.” And I was like, “I have no idea what you’re talkin’ about.”
And uh I don’t know who it was or what it was that you know that, that mentioned me, but I think over the years different people fell out and there were starts and stops and starts and stops. And so finally maybe 2 weeks or 3 weeks before they began shooting I got a call saying, “Are you in Atlanta?” “Yeah.” “Well can you go do an emergency reading for Ant-Man over at…?” “Yeah okay, I guess.” And so…
I go and read and they give me a bunch of anonymous scenes to read and they called me back. And so then I have to find a way to re-arrange the rest of my schedule to actually take advantage of this great opportunity to do this film.
David Dastmalchian: I auditioned in January of 2014 for Sarah Finn (the Cast Director for this film), and I auditioned for it and I got the sides and the role description, and it’s so different than anything I’ve gotten to do before. And my immediate goal was like, “Hey I’m a huge comic geek.”
And I’ve loved comics my whole life. And I want something that my mom can go to the cinema and watch and not be terrified, ‘cause I tend to play some creepy guys. So I went after it, and I created a voice and the character, and then she liked it so she for the Director at that time and I got to read for him, and he liked it.
And then I got to go to test. So it was a very long process for me. Two auditions and then a test, and then I got the part, and then everything started to change. I was like, “Oh my gosh, am I still gonna’ get to do a part in the film?” And then my Manager called me like 2 months after we were starting and goes, “Great news. You’re going to Atlanta to test. Uh to do tests.”
And I didn’t understand what that meant, and I had a newborn at home, and I was very frazzled, and I was very nervous. And I thought okay like I’m gonna’ go and do another audition. So I went to Atlanta, and Michael was there and everybody else. And I’m meeting everybody and I’m so nervous. And I realize what they meant by that kind of test. ‘Cause like hair and make-up test. It’s like I had the part. I was in.
T.I.’s telling his kids about his role in Ant-Man
T.I.: You know my kids they’re jaded, so when I tell ‘em I’m going to work and I’m about to do Ant-Man. They’re like, “Ant-Man? What’s that?”
“He’s a Marvel character like the Avengers.” “Oh you’re gonna’ be in the Avengers!?” “No…I’m gonna’ be in Ant-Man.”
“Well I don’t know Ant-Man. Is Ant-Man in the Avengers?” “Well, technically in the comics, not the movie.” “Will he be in the movie?” “No, no.” “Okay, well you gonna’ wear a costume?” “No, I’m not wearing a costume. You know just forget about it. Don’t worry about it. I’ll be back.”
Want more Ant-Man interviews? Check out my interviews with Michael Douglas, Paul Rudd & Evangeline Lilly. You can also check out my exclusive Ant-Man Set Visit Interviews with Paul Rudd, Director Peyton Reed, Judy Greer and Abby Fortson?
Ant-Man Synopsis:
Armed with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, master thief Scott Lang must embrace his inner hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, protect the secret behind his spectacular Ant-Man suit from a new generation of towering threats. Against seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Pym and Lang must plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.
Ant-Man will be in theaters this Friday (7/17) and you have to go see it!
Y’all look like you had an amazing time! What a fun experience!
THis looks like a blast. I know the movie will be great movie.
That pic is hilarious!
This looks like everyone had so much fun and I love that Pena took a picture and posted it!