Seann William Scott has gone from “Dude, Where’s My
Car” to “American Pie” playing teen slackers. But
in “Bulletproof Monk,” he’s finally moved into
his first teen action film.
“I don’t think there was a moment that I
wasn’t blown away,” said Scott about his role as the
young American street-fighter whose destiny is to save the
world.
Scott, whose training for the movie included a crash course in
kung fu from some of Bruce Lee’s disciples and a running
regimen at UCLA’s Drake Stadium, was ecstatic about working
with his long time idol Chow Yun-Fat.
“I was really nervous when I met him because he’s
just larger than life,” said Scott. “But he made it
easy, he was like “˜This is a movie, have
fun.'”
Scott didn’t take Chow’s advice to kick back too
literally.
“I’m like “˜You’re Chow Yun-Fat and I am
the guy in “˜American Pie’ who kisses dudes and drank
semen,'” said Scott. “You’re one of the
biggest stars in the world so you can take it easy. I’m doing
every single stunt because I have something to prove.”
Luckily Scott comes from an athletic background ““ he
attended Bobby Knight’s summer basketball camps during high
school. And Scott takes it to the next level in this movie. He
isn’t restricted to his Stifler-esque roles as a comically
sophomoric weirdo ““ he can also play the comically sophomoric
action hero.
“One of the reasons I did this movie was because I just
needed to do something different,” said Scott. “I
don’t want to just be known as Stifler.”
The real life Scott comes across as distinctly different from
his roles in “Road Trip” and “Old School.”
He’s a surprisingly mature, very down-to-earth, even humble,
Mid-Westernly friendly gentleman. When asked about his Hollywood
night life, Scott seems tame.
“I don’t drink,” said Scott. “I love to
party but I’m happy hanging at home and just watching a
movie.”
After graduating high school early, Scott moved to California
from Minnesota to pursue a film career. He attended community
college in Glendale before his career began to take off. He hopes
to return to school in the future when he has time, and plans to
gain a degree in history.
“I run at UCLA, and (when I’m there) I look at it
and think, wow, I’d like to go to a school like this,”
said Scott.
No doubt Scott has made a good deal of money from his roles
in “American Pie” and “American Pie 2,”
both films having grossed over $100 million. However, money is less
the focal point for this actor; he aspires to be able to
choose.
“I never cared about the money, the money will
come,” said Scott. “I envy those big dollar guys
because they can work with anyone they want on any project they
want.”