David Schwimmer
Interview By: Andrea Tuccillo
AndreaTuccillo@TheCinemaSource.com
David Schwimmer makes his film directorial debut with the comedy Run, Fatboy Run and he looked every inch the distinguished auteur at the film’s New York premiere. Outfitted in a tailored plaid blazer and full-grown beard, Schwimmer was as friendly as can be. (Those 10 seasons of that little show called Friends seem to have paid off!)
He chatted with us about the film starring Simon Pegg as an out-of-shape slacker who leaves his pregnant fiancée (Thandie Newton) at the altar only to decide he wants to win her back five years later. He finds competition in her new successful boyfriend (Hank Azaria), and the two race in a marathon to determine who is the better man. It’s a script with a lot of laughs and a lot of heart, and Schwimmer says he was drawn to it for that very reason.
“I had been reading scripts for about four or five months and this was just hands down the funniest script I’d read,” he says. “I actually thought it was a mistake that it came into my lap. As soon as I put down the script I called my manager and said I have to direct this movie and it took two years to get made and then another year and a half to make it. So it’s like four years later, it’s finally here.”
The thrill of directing his first movie was made even more exciting by having a familiar cast on board. Schwimmer had previously worked with both Pegg and Azaria on other projects. Azaria even had a guest-stint on Friends!
“It does make it easier,” Schwimmer says of working with pals. “It’s like you and your best friend, you have a shorthand. So like Simon and I, we first both worked together on Band of Brothers eight years ago, we did another movie together like 2 years ago. Hank I’ve known for 15, 20 years so it’s just easier.”
This camaraderie made for some fun moments on set. “Literally everyday was hysterical,” Schwimmer says. “Every day was a blast. I wanted shooting to never end. I wanted it to keep going. Obviously we couldn’t do that or we’d never be here. One of the greatest days was the locker room scene when Hank Azaria just drops his towel in front of Simon and kind of nonchalantly shows ‘Hank Jr.’ to Simon and Simon has to kind of reconcile with that. It’s a good scene.”
The humorous film also presents some food for thought. Pegg’s character, Dennis, finds the courage to better his life. In the beginning he’s a quitter and a coward, but he works hard to overcome his faults. For Schwimmer, the film’s message isn’t just for down-on-their-luck losers—it’s universal.
“I think it’s a message to anyone, for all of us,” he says. “The idea of if you see a better version of yourself you can work hard and realize it, make it happen. So I do think it
