Australian actor Ed Oxenbould didn’t have too much of a challenge with one part of his role as the title character in Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.
Alexander is fascinated with Australia! But the young thespian did learn a lot about working with other actors (particularly his idol Steve Carell) and as we sat down with him for an exclusive interview, Oxenbould let us in on his view of the magic of the movie and it is beyond refreshing to see someone who is so passionate about the art form at such a young age.
Oxenbould also dishes what it means to him to be in a Disney movie and lets us in on what his favorite movie of all time is, and it starred the guy who played his dad in Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day!
Movie Fanatic: We visited with you, Steve Carell and Jennifer Garner on the Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day set almost a year ago now. Now that the film’s release date is almost here, how are you feeling?
Ed Oxenbould: It’s only becoming a reality right now. Filming it was one thing, but in the days before the film arrives, this is a whole nother one. This is when things kick and get serious. I don’t know what’s going to happen. I’m kind of nervous and excited. I’m ready for what’s going to come. I’m excited for my friends and family to see it.
Movie Fanatic: It’s the new beginning for Disney live action family movies…
Ed Oxenbould: I really hope so. If it is, I will be really glad to be a part of it.
Movie Fanatic: Forget even the live action part, what does it mean to you to be in a Disney movie?
Ed Oxenbould: It’s pretty amazing. For my first film to be a big Disney film, I was really lucky. To be part of the Disney family because hopefully that will lead to other things.
Movie Fanatic: Your character has a really bad day, but which of the days filming the movie was your personal best day?
Ed Oxenbould: It was the day you were there, actually. The birthday scene because everyone was there filming the party scene. It felt like we weren’t working because we were eating party food, dancing and listening to music [laughs]. It was also at the end, so it was also a break too. All my family was there.
Movie Fanatic: As a young actor, you have Steve Carell and Jennifer Garner as parents. One, what did you take away from those two actor to actor, and two, what did it mean to you to work with those two pros?
Ed Oxenbould: To work with Steve was amazing. I mean, it’s Steve Carell! I always looked up to him as a kid, especially Anchorman. He was my favorite part of that. Just meeting him for the first time was amazing, and then to work with him. He was so funny with his comic timing and just the way he pronounced words, he can make anything funny. I learned a lot about comic delivery. And working with Jen, she was so caring and took good care of the kids and was so lovely. And she’s really funny as well.
Movie Fanatic: It’s so believable that you guys are a family throughout this film -- even it can be seen in the Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day trailer. Was there a lot of rehearsal, how did that all come together?
Ed Oxenbould: We’re all very similar so we have all the same traits. Also me and the other two kids spent a lot of time together and they felt like siblings. I felt close to them and felt like we were part of the same gene pool. And Steve and Jen, we had a lot of photos shoots and rehearsals and it really paid off. Even sometimes we would take a break and just talk -- just like a family. We really connected, it was instant.
Movie Fanatic: What was it that made you want to be an actor? I mean, you’re so young; there couldn’t have been that much that you saw that made you want to choose this avenue.
Ed Oxenbould: My parents are both actors. It was natural. I went with them to auditions and voice over work. A lot of my memories are being in a voice studio. My mum’s agent one day said that they needed the voice of a little boy and they wondered if I would do it. I was like six or seven. I did it and became fascinated with it. Then, I started looking at films and I just wanted to be a part of that.
Movie Fanatic: While you were making Alexander, what other aspects of the filmmaking experience most fascinated you?
Ed Oxenbould: I love watching everyone on set. Everyone puts in the same amount of effort. Without these people, we wouldn’t be there. You can’t make a movie without the sound people and I loved seeing how everyone came together and made this movie magic. I’d just be happy lifting boxes on a set!
Movie Fanatic: As a movie fan, do you have a favorite movie?
Ed Oxenbould: It’s hard to choose -- Anchorman, probably. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen it, I know all of the Anchorman quotes. So, then, to work with Steve, he’s my number one idol. He’s hilarious, but he can be serious. I love versatile actors.
The "Before" poster shows what life is like, and how Alexander is the one set for a bad day.