“I didn’t want to make a movie about trying to get laid, taking a girl to the prom, or being invited to the cool party,” explains Colin Hanks about his new movie Orange County. “I wanted to do something that I think a little bit more people can relate to. Something that I could relate to.”
Extremely polite and handsome, Colin Hanks (son of Tom) took time out to chat with the Varsity while in Toronto promoting his first lead role, in the flick Orange County.
Sipping on Diet Coke, Colin Hanks sat comfortably on the big hotel couch, answering questions with elaboration and ease.
While many would fluff off Orange County (also starring High Fidelity and Shallow Hal dude Jack Black) as just another one of those “teen movies,” don’t be fooled by the previews.
It’s a comedy with a heart, a movie that pulls you in and makes you laugh.
The film is packed with such well-known actors as John Lithgow, Catherine O’Hara and Adam Sandler (in a cameo role), so it is no wonder Hanks expresses excitement.
“They were amazing…” he says with a look of admiration. “To be involved with that was a great honour and a great privilege—to be able to act with so many amazing comedic talents. Who knows when that will happen again, if ever, in my career.”
Making his acting debut in a supporting role on the popular show Roswell, Hanks is kick-starting his movie career with Orange County.
Although he enjoyed the series and was “100% committed to the show,” he was thankful to the people at Roswell for writing him off and letting him move on. When asked if he prefers movies over television, Hanks answers without hesitation. “I like movies, if only because there is a beginning, a middle and an end, so you know everything that happens to the character. It makes acting a little bit easier,” he explains.
“Also, you get to take a little more time with the movie. You have time to get it right.”
As the son of one of a two-time Oscar winner, Hanks is no stranger to the spotlight. However, his life has changed a lot since Roswell.
“When I got started I was still in high school, still living over by campus. I was very comfortable with everything, but was still new to the whole thing.”
Surprisingly, Orange County opened #3 in the box office, following Lord of the Rings and A Beautiful Mind.
Colin Hanks is ecstatic about this first week success.
“It’s nice to be the alternative to everything that is out there, (as) everything is really serious right now. I think (Orange County) is something a little different—it’s nice to be ‘one of these kids is doing his own thing,'” he sings.
