His new film, ‘Indignation,’ is in theaters now.
(Read EWs review here.)
We caught up Lerman to discuss butchery, Roth, and working with James Schamus.
Credit: RoadsideFlix via YouTube
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: How did you end up playing Marcus inIndignation?
LOGAN LERMAN:I got the script in December of 2014 and read it right away.
I was and remain such a fan of James Schamus.
His writing, for one.
More than anything it was his work at Focus Features that was really influential.
Like,Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind thats when I fellin lovewith movies.
I met with James the next day.
We ended up talking for three hours and the rest is history.
Marcus is such an interesting character because he really treads the line of being unsympathetic.
Sometimes its hard to like him.
That is our jobs as actors.
Its my job as an actor to battle your apathy.
I want to make you care about [my characters] plight.
Whatever is going on.
I heard you took butchery lessons.
I was curious and James has this group of people who get things done very quickly.
So what did you learn to do?
Oh you know, Im not, like, a butcher now.[Laughs.]
I just learned about the physicality of the job, how challenging and difficult it is.
James Schamus is such a smart industry veteran.
What was the best thing you learned from him?
Oh, I learnedsomuch!
Its so hard to pinpoint to one thing hes really opened my eyes in general.
Its such a privilege to spend time with him, you know?
I look up to him so much.
It sounds cheesy but I feel really fortunate to have him in my life.
