“The cool thing about this story is they both teach each other something throughout the film… That’s one of my favorite elements of the film, book smart versus street smart.” – James Paxton
Welcome James Paxton:
We’re joined on the Starline by an actor and musician who’s built his own lane in Hollywood. He’s trading gunslinger banter with Malcolm McDowell in “Last Train to Fortune”. We welcome James Paxton.
It’s been a big week for you…
James, let’s go Beyond the Mic. More than 10 years ago, you posted a photo of you and the inimitable Malcolm McDowell on social media. Did you ever think the two of you would actually work together, and why was Last Train to Fortune the perfect film for it?
The whole movie rides on you and Malcolm having a specific kind of chemistry, a guy who can’t read stuck with a guy who won’t stop reading. What did building that with him actually look like on day one?
This story is basically an argument that not knowing how to read can get you killed out there. What part of Dooley did you recognize in yourself when you first read this script?
The Rockin’ 8:
Last Train to Fortune is the film and James Paxton joins us for the Rockin’ 8. 8 random questions, just trust your first instinct. There is no Pressure.
1. Malcolm McDowell’s been doing this over 60 years, James. What’s one habit or ritual of his on set that you’ve already started stealing for yourself?
2. You’ve done crime drama on Eyewitness, horror in BIT, big studio action in Twisters, and now a Western. Which of these was the one you walked onto set the most nervous about getting right?
3. First thing you look for at a farmers market?
4. You went from wanting to cover other people’s stories to being the one interviewed constantly. Is there a question reporters keep asking you that you think misses the actual story?
5. You have to get rid of one forever: modeling, playing music, or acting. Which one gives the heave ho?
6. Is there someone outside music entirely, a filmmaker or writer, who has shaped the Love, Pax sound more than any actual musician has?
7. Between acting, music, and everything else. What’s the one thing you do purely because you’re bad at it and don’t care?
8. What was the first guitar you ever got, and who got it for you?
Sneaking In A Couple More:
Before any of this, before Twisters, before your last name meant anything in this business, Dan Gilroy gave you your first real job in Hollywood at nineteen. What’s your best memory of him?
What did he see in you that day that you don’t think you saw in yourself yet?
One Big Question:
If you walked into every room in this industry under a different last name, one nobody recognized. What do you think would be the first thing people actually noticed about you?
The Wrap:
He wants to be better at basketball, got his 1st guitar from his 4th grade teacher and wants you to see Last Train to Fortune. James Paxton thanks for taking the time to talk with us today.
And that my friends is a Beyond the Mic Short Cut.
Listen to other Beyond the Mic Episodes with actors here
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