As a fan of Stranger Things and the talented Gaten Matarazzo, I find his words both inspiring and intriguing. His desire to break free from the pigeonhole he finds himself in, to explore new avenues and personal growth, is a testament to his ambition and resilience.
In my days, not many young actors achieved the same level of fame as Gaten Matarazzo and the Stranger Things crew did during their teenage years, making us instantly recognizable.
It appears that science fiction and fantasy genres have a unique ability to spotlight young talents during their early careers (like Harry Potter or The Hunger Games). Moreover, when these productions resonate strongly with the audience and become popular, they tend to do so on a grand scale.
22-year-old Matarazzo, initially chosen to play Dustin in Stranger Things at age 13, found acting partly drawn by the genre itself or more specifically, a notable science fiction series – Star Wars.
He shared, “That was actually my first true fascination. I was around seven years old, and I vividly recall my uncle – my mother’s identical twin brother – visiting us from another state for the first time since we mostly communicated over the phone. He lived far away.
For a summer, he visited us and later, as it happened, the TV series “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” was airing. We ended up binge-watching it, and since then, I’ve been utterly captivated by it. Similar to many children, I accumulated an array of lightsabers, backpacks, lunchboxes, bedsheets, and found myself frequently quoting the movies.
Later on, Matarazzo displays his Star Wars tattoo to me – clearly demonstrating his deep fandom, and he refers to George Lucas’s series as the “principal inspiration” that sparked his passion for movies.
As a dedicated cinema enthusiast, I must admit that this moment feels monumental for Matarazzo. Although it’s been a while since we had a new Star Wars movie (since 2019, to be precise), the franchise continues to thrive, leaving fans and actors alike with an abundance of TV shows – both animated and live-action – to keep us captivated.
Currently starring in a Star Wars series may seem commonplace or ubiquitous. Yet, let me tell you something significant: taking the lead role as a fresh, pivotal character in a Star Wars television production is truly noteworthy and exciting!
In the recently released Disney Plus series, LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy, Matarazzo takes on the role of Sig Greebling, a nerf-herder character. This four-episode production finds him uncovering a potent artifact hidden within a Jedi temple, an item that alters the universe. Good turns evil, and vice versa, creating a fascinating narrative that delves into the multiverse, a concept well-known to sci-fi enthusiasts at present.
Matarazzo explains, ‘It’s quite self-referential,’ meaning that a Star Wars enthusiast embarks on their own Star Wars adventure, navigating through the familiar and cherished galaxy known as the Star Wars realm.
He continued: “It’s pretty nuts. It’s kind of just like Star Wars fans created an absolute bonkers project, just to have as much fun as possible. And that’s exactly what it was filming, and exactly what it’s like watching.”
Matarazzo remembers the moment he first got offered the project.
As a devoted movie enthusiast, hearing “Star Wars” sent me reeling. My initial reaction was something along the lines of ‘Wow!’ Then, I found out that I’d have a minor role. However, when I read the script details, my response shifted to, ‘I’ll bend over backwards to make this happen! I’ll clear my schedule, no matter what, to ensure I nail this part. I don’t even care if it’s not perfect – just being part of Star Wars is all that matters.’
For a Star Wars enthusiast such as Matarazzo, one of the most thrilling aspects could be the expansive ensemble the show boasts. Actors like Tony Revolori and Marsai Martin play significant secondary characters, but what’s more, it includes the voices of some revered figures from the franchise’s past.
Ahmed Best portrays Jar Jar Binks, Billy Dee Williams takes on the role of Lando Calrissian, Kelly Marie Tran is cast as Rose Tico, Anthony Daniels plays C-3PO, and the iconic Luke Skywalker is brought to life by Mark Hamill.
Unfortunately, Matarazzo wasn’t able to record with the cast in person, or meet them during the production process. In fact, he is on his way to a press event, where he will have his first encounter with some of his castmates.
However, his excitement when talking about Hamill’s involvement is palpable.
When I learned that Mark had agreed to join us… I can still recall being in the studio when we were informed, and it’s safe to say that the entire production team shared my enthusiasm. It was an exciting day indeed. Although Mark might find our excitement overblown, the truth is, everyone was genuinely thrilled to know he wanted to be involved with the project.
The reason I find this script enjoyable is because it’s both entertainingly silly and offers a fresh twist for long-time fans of the Universe who might be tired of discussing its familiar aspects. It’s delightful to have something light-hearted, fun, quirky, and low-pressure in a universe that can sometimes feel overly serious.
Interestingly enough, it’s not just Star Wars that held Ray Milland’s affection in the realm of acting and entertainment; the stage, too, was a significant first love for him.
By the time he was 22 years old, this actor had already established a reputation for himself on the stage, gracing performances in extended runs of plays such as Les Misérables, Dear Evan Hansen, and Sweeney Todd: The Phantom Barber of Fleet Street.
He mentions that it served as both motivation and a means of expression in his acting, strengthening his bond with his theater-loving mother too.
He says: “She started introducing me to everything she loved growing up, especially Les Mis. I remember Les Mis was her absolute favourite musical of all time, and it then became my favourite musical of all time.
As time went on, our relationship evolved into something more than just the typical mother-son bond, as we discovered a common interest. This development was thrilling to me at seven years old. I began trying out for various roles, and although I didn’t always land them, the process itself felt rewarding.
Although Matarazzo has frequently graced the stage on Broadway, he hasn’t had a chance to perform in London’s West End yet – a situation he hopes to change soon.
He expresses that he’s had a long-standing desire to visit the West End. He recalls his younger years when booking tickets, as it was a place he associated with iconic theater creation. He describes the West End as a sanctuary for exceptional theatre, where he’s witnessed some truly remarkable performances.
“I would absolutely love to work on the West End in some capacity, hopefully soon.”
It appears that theatre continues to be a constant preoccupation for the young actor, despite his increasing prominence on the silver screen.
After joining ‘Stranger Things’, I often felt it was the best work I’d ever done, and I couldn’t help but wonder when I could return to New York to continue it. Now, being able to do so has been a tremendous pleasure, almost an unparalleled delight.
Oh, I see! You’re referring to “Stranger Things”. It’s that captivating series that was originally envisioned as a tribute to the classic storytelling era of Steven Spielberg and Stephen King.
Ever since its premiere in 2016, it has grown to be one of Netflix’s largest and most adored productions, leading to a stage play, numerous merchandise related to it, books, and comics. Remarkably, this success was achieved despite the series’ long gaps between seasons.
At present, Matarazzo is deep into shooting the last and concluding season of the series. There’s a mix of sweetness and sadness in the air on set, as he, along with the entire cast and crew, are nearing the finish line.
Fans are eagerly seeking hints about the storyline for season 5, but Matarazzo is sensibly keeping quiet on the subject. Still, he managed to provide a glimpse of the style, visual appeal – the overall atmosphere or feeling, if you prefer – that we can anticipate in the upcoming episodes.
He remarks: “I admire how skillfully the Duffer Brothers, our creators Matt and Ross, have taken their foundation and added a unique visual spin to it.
For Season 2, they were considering a Halloween horror theme. However, Season 3 took a drastic turn, moving away from the horror genre towards bright, summery, neon vibes. Season 4 returned aesthetically to the style we saw in Season 1. I believe Season 5 will continue this bold direction.
It seems to me that after Season 4, they had a sense that we were nearing the final stretch of our series. They believed that visually and in terms of atmosphere, these elements would provide a fitting conclusion.
I believe Season 5 is quite monumental; it’s among the largest seasons we’ve witnessed in a long time. Many people are suggesting that it combines elements of Seasons 1 and 4, which I find intriguing. However, in terms of scale, it soars to unprecedented heights.
Fans might anticipate further development of the popular bond between Dustin and Steve, portrayed by Joe Keery, a duo that took viewers by surprise in the initial season but has since grown into one of the series’ favorite relationships.
Absolutely, I agree. It would truly be unfortunate if I didn’t have regular collaborations with Joe, Matarazzo notes. He’s not only a dear friend, but also one of my closest companions on the show. Moreover, he’s incredibly talented both in front and behind the camera, and learning from him is an everyday joy. In essence, he’s just a fantastic individual to work with.
He goes on saying: “It’s amazing because we’ve been working together regularly since our second season, which is around seven years back now. Back then, I was just turning 14 or 15, so he seemed like a really cool older sibling to me, someone I admired and wanted to make proud.
The dynamics between us remain unaltered, but there seems to be a different atmosphere now that I’ve entered my twenties. We were around the same age when our show started, and it feels more like a friendship based on mutual understanding and a strong bond. He’s become a true friend of mine. I find it fascinating how this relationship has evolved with age, and I believe this evolution is evident in our performances. I’m excited for audiences to witness this change.
Over the course of the series, a common complaint is that it’s hesitant or unable to write off its favorite characters, often referred to as “killing one’s darlings.” Although significant deaths have occurred, such as Barb, Bob, and Eddie, they were typically short-lived characters who joined at the start and left at the end. The main cast members remain alive to this point.
If the series concludes, maybe this reserved behavior shifts. Considering that the entire production is wrapping up with a grand finale, it’s possible that some characters might also evolve in similar fashion.
The idea lends a chilling, ominous feel to the fifth season that might be more intense than any other time, leading one to wonder: Could it be Dustin who finds himself in peril this go-around?
According to Matarazzo, there’s a chance that everyone could find themselves in peril. That’s part of what makes this show thrilling, he believes, and it’s what will keep viewers on the edge of their seats during season 5. We witnessed how brutal season 4 was, with everyone barely hanging on, and some characters didn’t make it through to season 5. This trend is expected to continue in the upcoming season.
Our show is unique because it keeps you guessing. The unpredictability is evident throughout season 5 and I can’t wait for viewers to feel that suspense, that fear. That’s what makes our show enjoyable; you root for these characters, you want them to succeed, you want them to make it.
It’s clear that the series has been an unprecedented triumph, providing opportunities for Matarazzo and the rest of the youthful cast that may not have been available otherwise, propelling them to a degree of fame that many would find hard to imagine. However, with the young actor, who remains deeply passionate about theater and acting, one might wonder if he ever fretted over being stereotyped or limited in roles similar to Dustin.
He acknowledges that he did it. To be honest, for a while it was quite frightening. However, if this has been ongoing, then it can only be seen as a blessing. It’s more of an exciting challenge than anything else. I believe that playing a character who I am still familiar with and confident enough to make decisions about has been surprisingly reassuring.
I have become incredibly familiar with him, much like the authors and creators who brought him to life. In fact, I might even know him better than anyone else, which is a truly unique privilege. To forge such a deep connection with a character that has been evolving for over ten years feels extraordinary, and something I believe will stay with me forever. Looking back, I can confidently say that this experience will likely stand out as the coolest thing I’ll ever do in my life.
I’m eagerly anticipating the opportunity to challenge myself and venture beyond my current limits. I’m excited to give it my all, whether it’s professionally or on a personal level, even if the changes aren’t grand or commercial. It could be small, personal steps that allow me to feel I’ve escaped the confines of the roles some people might want to impose upon me.
Is there a possibility that he might not reprise his role as Dustin in a potential Stranger Things spin-off, if his character manages to survive? There’s been plenty of speculation about more shows set in this universe, and it would be foolish for Netflix to end such a successful franchise. However, does Matarazzo hint that season 5 could serve as the final chapter for Dustin’s story?
He expresses that the upcoming project will serve as a concluding piece. He believes it will provide a satisfying resolution. Furthermore, he speculates that the Duffer brothers may not return to anything similar for quite some time. If asked a year from now if he would consider returning, his initial response might be to pursue other projects first. However, he admits that the future is uncertain.
The star certainly isn’t ruling anything out, and even pitched the idea for a Dustin spin-off during our conversation.
“I’m really interested in finding out if there will be more of the character Dustin beyond season 5, especially since none of us know if we’ll get that far. If so, I’d be excited to see how he develops as a 30-year-old and tackle that storyline, it could be really entertaining.
I’d love to learn more about their idea, and I’m definitely flexible. If it’s high-quality, intriguing, and others are enthusiastic about it, count me in! For now, I’m inclined towards exploring other projects. I believe this could be my focus for the next few years at least.
In the realm of cinema, he’s on the hunt for the unconventional, things that might make him think, “This is something no one else would dare to do.” If a script crosses his desk and it evokes such a thought, chances are high that he’ll be the one to bring it to life.
A tactic that’s proven successful for other young performers famous for a single iconic character – such as Daniel Radcliffe – seems to be the strategy Matarazzo is employing. If he lands a role as a flatulent corpse in the future, it would align with the path Radcliffe took.
As for a return to LEGO Star Wars for another adventure as Sig? Well, that’s a no-brainer.
According to Matarazzo, “I’m always ready whenever they need me.” He admits he doesn’t know their specific strategy, but he’s prepared and committed to whatever it may be.
As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I’ve often pondered if the enigmatic character, Sig, could make the leap from animation to live-action. Time and again, we’ve witnessed characters like those from Clone Wars gracing our screens on The Mandalorian or Ahsoka. Could Sig be next?
“I think the jump from LEGO animation to live action would probably be the furthest jump we’ve seen in Star Wars,” he admits, “but I’m not going to count it out. Everything with the multiverse in a lot of these franchises means everything seems to be possible in today’s day and age. So if they want me, I’m here.”
Beginning this coming Friday, September 13th, the LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy series will be accessible for streaming on Disney+. If you’re interested, you can subscribe to Disney+ now for just £7.99 per month or £79.90 annually.
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2024-09-13 08:35