Growing Up Geek: LAST ACTION HERO Audition
Remember Arnold Schwarzenegger's 1993 adventure film Last Action Hero? Well, that was my first big audition for a big movie starring a huge actor. It was a pretty surreal experience when I look back at it.
I auditioned for the lead kid role in the movie, which followed a young film fan who is transported into the fictional world of his favorite action film character with the help of a magic ticket. The part of the kid eventually went to Austin O'Brien, but here's my story.
It all started with an elevator ride with my dad in a building located in Santa Monica. Schwarzenegger and a big bodyguard joined us on this elevator adventure. Arnold had this big cigar hanging out of his mouth, and I just remember him being so damn big. My dad was a big guy as well, and it was kind of funny when my dad and Arnold tried to exit the elevator at the same time. This was one of those ridiculous awkward moments that people don't find themselves in everyday, so of course it had to happen to my dad. There was a brief moment when they just had to stare each other down. I thought to myself "Great! There goes my chances of landing the part!"
Back to the audition. I was able to calm my nerves the best I could before I went in to read, and it seemed to go pretty well. I think it helped that I didn't have to read my lines with Arnold. I just don't think I was ready for that. My interview was with the casting director and director John McTiernan. The audition went by pretty fast. I read my lines, they said "nice job," and "thanks kid," and in the end, I felt confident with how it turned out. Obviously I ultimately didn't get the part, but it was still a great experience, and it prepared me for other big movies that I would have the opportunity to audition for, which I'll tell you about later.
On the way out of the building, I had to go to the bathroom. As I was taking a piss at a urinal, a man walked in and stood at the urinal next to me. It wasn't Schwarzenegger, though. I finished up, walked out, and met up with my dad. The other guy followed me and walked by, and my dad said, "Do you know who that was?" I said no. He explained to me that it was Oliver Stone, the director of Platoon. I was only 12 years old at the time, I hadn't seen Platoon yet, so what did I care? Now I know though, and I can say I took a piss next to Oliver Stone.
Even though I didn't really land many of the roles I auditioned for, I still enjoyed it because of the adrenaline rush it gave me. To go along with my article, here's a funny video from Cracked that explains why Last Action Hero is secretly terrifying: