Simon, I was ready to dismiss you.
But there is no denying...
you are Wonder Man.
And Trevor, you are my Barnaby.
You movin' out?
I'm sorry. I'm just not happy.
You never let me in, Simon.
Not really.
Guy spends his own mother's money on her birthday gift
like he's five years old and...
No one's ever seen that side of me before.
Outside my family.
You're right about Simon.
He is enhanced and incredibly dangerous.
You need more evidence, and I know how to get it for you,
but, I need some time. I... I can't be pressured.
That's all I ask.
I've got football practice, so I'll grab a ride home with Jason.
Hey, Mummi's making legumes, so please don't fill up on snacks.
All right.
No snacks!
Simon?
Stop it!
"Hey, stop! Come on!"
That's quite a cough.
What?
Pretty bad.
I think you might need a day off, Simon.
Really?
Well?
Oh, yeah. That's terrible. Let's go.
The first time I saw this, I just moved to the States.
Now the special effects will be a little corny,
but they were cool at the time.
I heard what happened yesterday.
I know some kids were picking on you at school
and you all got in trouble.
- They started it. - I know.
I know how hard it could be, Simon.
At this age, kids are cruel.
They sniff out anyone who's different.
But sometimes... different can also be great.
I can't give up on this people. This planet.
You got this.
Just go out there...
Show 'em what you can do.
Ready for another day in paradise?
Wardrobe needs to do some adjustments to the suit,
- then we'll head to hair and makeup. - Cool.
I'm a little hungry. Can we get someone to swing by crafty?
Sure. Grabbing food for Simon Williams will make some P.A.'s day.
You feeling more like a green juice or a banana protein shake?
- Oh, protein shake would be great. - Can't maintain that muscle mass on juice.
Uh, Terrell for Luca, let me get a Smooth Operator for our number one
to wardrobe ETA five minutes, please and thank you.
Let me get some turkey bacon, too.
Say less. Add a side of turkey bacon.
- You know what? Make it real bacon. - Done.
Correction, make sure that bacon squeals, leave the turkey at home.
- She's a beaut. - How's the fit?
Well, it's a bit snug in the undercarriage, to be honest.
I might want to have babies one day.
Oh, don't laugh too hard.
Anthony Quinn was a dad at 81.
Well, I think they look good.
So this is where the party is.
Oh, look who decided to show up.
You know where I can get some Chamoy around here?
I used to know this bloke when he didn't have a room to self-tape in.
I know. We're all aware of the little bromance between you two.
Big bromance.
Mara, lighten up. You're wound up tighter than Trevor's pants.
Okay, I'll let them out a bit.
Ah, here you are, Mister Williams.
- Uh, apologies for the wait. - Appreciate it.
I got both types of bacon, just in case.
Uh, you want some bacon? I'm kind of rethinking the whole thing.
Oh, I couldn't possibly. The sodium goes straight to my lymph nodes.
Luca, it's your lucky day.
- Hey, knock, knock. - Hmm.
I did another dive on these.
I know you were worried the other options weren't staying true
- to the look from the first film. - Yeah.
But these are pretty great.
I don't know.
Uh, none of these are as cool as the originals.
We need to reinterpret that '80s look, right?
Mmm, maybe not. Maybe try to get as close to the old ones as possible.
- Hmm? - Okay.
Hey, fellas, just checking in, um, everyone's anxious to get started.
Any word on that dialogue change that we talked about?
Yes. Von Kovak and the writer will meet you in hair and makeup.
Okay.
Mara, any chance you can finish with these two before the next writer's strike?
- Okay. - Mmm.
Shall we discuss the offending dialogue?
No one said offending. No, not offending. No one said offending.
That's crazy.
Uh, so in scene 36, when I see Gabriela at the cocktail party?
I pull her to the side, right?
And I say "You'll never redeem yourself to me, ever."
Yes, so?
Uh, it just... it just felt a little unnatural.
Well, your character is obsessed with the concept of redemption.
It's one of the major themes of the film.
Right, but the words themselves just...
It felt a little... artificial.
But at this point in your story,
there's still a layer of artifice to Wonder Man.
See, I would argue that he's already shared
a lot of his performative self by now.
This comes after the baptism at All Saints,
the cavern fight, and the Barnaby hospital moment.
This feels like act one Wonder Man.
I wonder if this isn't a larger issue.
It's really just about the one line.
- See. - Yeah.
Now that I look at it, there is something off about this for me as well.
I wonder if we need to look
at the concept of redemption altogether.
It's really just about the one line.
If you don't mind, I couldn't help overhearing.
I was wondering if, instead of, "You'll never redeem yourself to me,"
Simon simply says, "I'll never forgive you."
- I like it. - That works for me.
- Okay. That may work. - Yeah.
Right. Shall we go film some of this brilliant script?
How's your first week?
Uh, okay.
Just okay, Simon?
Uh, yeah, I don't wanna jinx anything.
Well, I will. It was a dream. An absolute dream.
Nothing can possibly go wrong.
Yes. Now, that's what I love to hear.
All right, come on. The team's already here.
Oh, we team level now.
Oh, yeah. You're team level.
And we all have high hopes for Wonder Man.
But no matter how things shake out,
we can start capitalizing on the casting news.
We're already getting calls.
There's a new Netflix series from Shonda Rhimes we think you'll love.
We're really excited about it.
Fits perfectly with your schedule, and it's the lead.
Okay.
What do you think?
Sounds dreadful.
Bet on yourself.
Bet on Wonder Man.
Don't commit to another movie or series until...
...the world has fallen in love with you.
Wasn't this supposed to be a Simon dinner?
Yes, but Simon wanted to bring Trevor, which we think is great.
We love it. We love that you two have such a thing.
But in all fairness, Trevor,
the landscape has changed since you've been out here,
so you might want to trust us on this one.
Yeah, you know what hasn't changed?
- Artistry. The craft. - Hmm.
- Okay. - I think you should do a play.
Something sophisticated and challenging.
Prove you've got the chops. Not in this just to make a buck.
But we also wanna secure a bag along the way. Right, Simon?
Trevor's right. We should find a play.
Simon, you do realize we've done all this work
so that you could stop doing theater?
But I love theater.
But you have an opportunity here, Simon.
One most people never get their whole career.
I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss it.
Nah, I trust Trevor on this.
On everything, actually.
- We don't have to talk about this now. - Maybe stick a pin on the Netflix show.
Um, in some other exciting news, Kathy Friedman, from The New York Times,
she called and she wants to do a joint profile on the both of you.
What? "New York Times," New York Times?
Mmm-hmm. The only one that exists.
Um, she heard about your journey
and how you both got cast and became friends,
and she finds it fascinating.
"Fascinating!" Oh!
We're "fascinating."
This could shift your narrative.
You can't ask for a higher profile than The New York Times.
You can finally put the Mandarin business behind you.
Show the world who you really are.
She'll be on set tomorrow observing the both of you
- and she'll interview you the next day. - To Kathy Friedman
and the bloody New York Times.
Kathy Friedman is bad news, Trev.
- Bad news. - Why? What's wrong with Kathy Friedman?
She's the most respected entertainment writer out there.
Yeah, well, that's good.
She is also a character assassin.
Listen to this.
"Most of Joseph Gordon-Levitt's friends and colleagues would agree on one thing.
"Joseph Gordon-Levitt had always needed the fame and recognition above all else.
"The pigeon incident in the fifth grade wasn't an aberration,
"it was the first glimpse of the true Joseph Gordon-Levitt."
- What did he do to the pigeon? - I don't know, man.
I don't know, but it can't be good. How about this?
"Glenn Howerton stabbed his overpriced arugula salad listlessly,
"as if he might discover a modicum of charm
"or presence hiding under a stray slice of watermelon radish.
"Spoiler, he would not."
- Ouch! - She's brutal.
Trev, what if I stab my arugula salad listlessly?
Never. You're very assertive with your fork.
What if she finds out about my secret?
Well, she doesn't appear to be that kind of a journalist.
She seems more interested in, you know, vibes.
Well, if Kathy Friedman can tear apart Glenn Howerton,
one of the most charming dudes out there, she's gonna rip me to shreds.
Why would you say that?
I'm not known for my fun, chill vibes.
What about the crew? They like you.
No, the crew likes us, you and me, together.
On my own, people think I'm a dick.
Okay. So, we stick together.
You work on being more charming,
and I find it helpful to use people's names.
You know, ask them about themselves?
That kind of bullshit actually works?
Yeah, you'd be amazed. Trust me.
Simon, Kathy Friedman. Kathy Friedman, Simon Williams.
It's a pleasure, Kathy.
I am so excited to be doing this. Thank you.
Nah, it's an honor, Kathy. For real.
Kathy, you grew up in Jersey, right?
I did. I did. But let's not worry about me, all right?
Oh, um, I'm worried about you, Kathy. I want you to have a good time.
Oh, you're sweet. You're very sweet.
Uh, but I'm not here to have a good time.
And I know this is gonna sound a little weird,
but when I'm observing,
- I like to just be ignored. - Oh.
Just pretend I'm not here.
Okay.
- Where's Trev? - He has a late call today.
For real?
- We're pretty tight. - I'm not here.
Right.
I'm sorry.
You can't apologize to someone if they're not there.
Shit! Sorr... So... So smooth, this ride, right, Terrell?
Yeah, man.
Hey, you want me to have someone grab you a banana protein shake from crafty?
What? No. I can get that myself.
Come on, man. Crafty is for gen-pop, bro. We got people for that.
Wh... What? No. That's... that's offensive.
Gen-pop? Come on, Terrell. You know, I like to get my own snacks.
Gives me a chance to... Chat with the crew. Just...
Right. I know. Of course. Sorry.
Now I take my Wrangler up to Sequoia all the time and let me tell you...
...zero problems in the snow.
But it's a different story on the East Coast.
And why is that, Eileen?
Because they got slush.
- Oh, slush. - Mmm-hmm.
And what... what's the, uh, difference?
It's moisture, uh, I think.
There's a Norwegian short film called Slush Ice
by, uh, director Soren Grinderslev Hansen. Um...
Yeah.
Tell me more about this, um, tell me more about the Wrangler.
Oh, all I know, is out there, I have to put a lift on so I can toss on some 35s.
- Thirty-three's don't get it done. - No doubt.
And that's... that's the... the tire?
Yeah, 35s are, like, the bigger--
There you are. Yeah-- Oh, sorry to interrupt.
- Oh, excuse me. - Late call today?
Yeah, sorry about that.
Oh, hi. Trevor Slattery.
And you must be the legendary Kathy Friedman. What a pleasure.
- All mine. - We're supposed to ignore her.
I see. Or rather, I... I don't see.
Where'd she go?
I could've sworn she was right here.
Okay, stand a few feet to the left.
Someone get me four more sand bags.
- Hey, Luca! - You know my name?
Aw, come on. Luca, I keep hearing you're a Bruins fan.
- I didn't know you liked the Bruins. - I don't.
Uh, what you got there, Luca?
Uh, a birthday gift for Mara in wardrobe.
I should get this over to her.
Hey, Terrell, can you run out
and grab something for Mara's birthday from me and Trev?
- Of course. What do you want? - What do we want to get her?
There's a fabulous old chocolatier in Beverly Hills. Edelweiss.
- In Beverly Hills? Gonna be expensive. - Is that a problem?
- This is Mara we're talking about. - Right. We love Mara.
- Six hundred and fifty dollars? - Do we love Mara that much?
Yes, it's worth it. Trust me.
- Okay. - I'm on it.
You know who would never think of buying
- chocolates for wardrobe lady's birthday? - Who?
- Joseph Gordon-Levitt. - Oh, right.
Probably out murderin' pigeons.
I think that's it.
- What else could it be? - What else could it be?
Well, thank you both. I'm sorry if it was a little awkward.
You're kidding. We forgot you were even here.
Yeah, for real, that was just another... just a normal day.
Before I let you go, Simon, I meant to ask you,
are there any friends that I should reach out to for the profile?
Ooh. Friends... Um...
Anyone who could talk to me about your journey
as an actor over the past few years?
Other than Trevor and Vivian, obviously.
Vivian?
Your former girlfriend, Vivian. I spoke with her yesterday.
Oh, cool. Um...
No, that's... that...
That would do it.
Okay. Well, I will let you two relax. I look forward to talking to you tomorrow.
I'm sure your ex only had lovely things to say.
Are you excited about the store?
Yeah, there's a really great Australian.
I'm still down, though.
Hey...
Hey.
Mmm.
- Thanks. - Yeah.
You still do a Grey Goose martini?
- I think I'll just have a water. - Yeah?
- Yeah. - Okay.
Excuse me.
Yeah, just a water, please.
Thank you for coming.
Well, it sounded kind of urgent.
Oh, nah, nah. I just... I just realized we hadn't talked since you moved out.
Really? This isn't about the Kathy Friedman profile?
I mean...
Uh, no. Uh, if I'm gonna be honest, yes.
- Yes, but... - I know.
I did think it was a good excuse to catch up.
I didn't even know you were still in L.A.
Yeah, it's crazy. I was all set to go, truly,
and then I actually booked something.
Really?
No, I mean good for you.
Yeah, it's just a small part on the next season of Severance.
Wow. That's a great show.
Yeah, it's no Wonder Man.
But I did just have a costume fitting.
It's exciting to see such a big production
and I've never had a character with more than one look before.
Oh, man, costume fittings.
Yeah, you wouldn't believe how much work went into my look for Wonder Man.
Von Kovak is super specific about the look.
There's been sketches and fittings,
and camera tests, and stunt tests and...
Just whole days where it's just about, "Can I do the stunts in the suit?"
I think they said they spent, like...
...half a million dollars on the suit alone, so...
It's crazy.
Crazy.
Damn.
Look...
I know you must've been really frustrated with me at the end.
Well, you can sometimes be a self-centered dick.
I know.
I'm not great at relationships.
There's a lot of reasons for that. But I'm working on it.
I'm trying to be more open.
I'm trying to be...
less self-centered.
Simon, I know why you're so concerned about me and this article, okay?
But you're safe.
I didn't say anything about your... ...secret.
My secret?
Simon, I know.
We lived together.
I loved you.
I knew for a long time that you are different.
I just... I didn't wanna say anything
because it didn't feel like it was my place.
And of course, I understood why you had to be careful.
Why no one could know.
But you could have trusted me.
I was always waiting for you to trust me.
And I hope one day you find someone that you can trust.
Someone you can really be yourself with.
Bye, Simon.
How you feeling?
Worried.
'Course you are. You wouldn't be you otherwise.
- It's okay. It's gonna be great. - Yeah.
Hey, Mummi.
Guess who talked to the New York Times?
Is that right?
That's right. The woman wanted to know all about my beautiful boy.
What did you tell her?
Only how wonderful you are, Cheri.
- You didn't say anything about the fire? - No.
- Or your birthday party? - Simon, don't be ridiculous.
Phew.
Okay, uh, I gotta run. I'm about to sit down with her right now.
That's wonderful, Cheri. Say hello from me and Eric.
- Eric? - Yes.
Okay.
All right, bye-bye, Maman.
What is it?
My brother. Kathy talked to Eric.
Oh, no.
Why didn't I think of my brother?
He's not answerin'.
This dude has been waitin' his whole life...
to ruin me.
He must have told her everything.
So thrilled he finally got me.
Little brother can't act anymore.
That's for sure. No more creative bullshit!
You don't know that for sure.
Put it out of your head. Take a deep breath.
Remember your box breathing.
Now, hold for five...
Exhale slowly for five...
Hey, you two.
Oh, so excited about our chat.
Not as excited as we are.
I figured the studio restaurant would be the easiest.
- We got the place all to ourselves. - Splendid.
So, uh...
I know that you spoke with my brother.
Yes, I spoke with him and your mother earlier this week.
Uh, my brother and I, we have a...
We have a complicated relationship.
Really? Well, that's interesting. Why... why is it complicated?
Uh, well...
What did Eric say?
Nothing but lovely things.
How long you struggled.
How few people believed in you, including him.
He's so proud of you.
It's really beautiful.
Uh-huh.
Cool. That's beautiful. That's great.
In general, everything that I've learned about your journey has been inspiring.
The difficulties your parents faced coming from Haiti,
and the loss of your father.
I can't wait to get into all of that.
But I wanted to start with Mr. Slattery first, if we could.
I know you couldn't talk to my mum,
so I brought some photos to show you.
I was ten when the acting bug first bit.
My first audience was my dear old mum, Dorothy.
- Ooh. - That's my mum.
Yeah, these are lovely.
I think we can work our way back to that.
I wanna start with your recent past.
Oh.
So you arrived back in Los Angeles a few months ago. Is that correct?
That is correct, dear.
I came back to prove to my mum that her faith in me wasn't misplaced.
And here we are, in a Von Kovak movie.
Well, I spoke to several witnesses
who said that you were arrested when you landed in LAX?
Are you sure about that?
I'm quite sure.
I spoke to four different people, and one of them...
took this video.
I don't think that's me.
And you were broken out of prison
before finishing your sentence, isn't that right?
No, that's not entirely true.
Okay, so when did you finish serving your time?
Bloody New York Times. You'd think they get their facts straight.
I just find the pivot from fugitive to a movie star to be so fascinating.
I'm curious about the details.
- Fugitive? I'm not a fugitive. - Did you work out a deal?
"Work out a deal"? I di...
I didn't work out a deal. I would never work out a deal.
Well, I just don't quite understand
how is it you're able to be sitting here, Mr. Slattery?
I just need some help filling in the blanks.
Why do you keep calling me Mr. Slattery
when you call him Simon?
I can understand this can be a pretty sensitive subject.
You're bloody right.
You're trying to turn me into Joseph bloody Gordon-Levitt, aren't you?
Well, you won't. I never murdered any bloody pigeons.
I'm an actor! That's all I've ever wanted.
And I don't need to hear any more of this, Kathy F... Bloody Friedman.
Sorry. I know you two are close.
Simon, you want a minute?
- What was that? - You were right about that woman.
- Bloody character assassin. - So you weren't arrested?
No.
Well, yes, I was, but...
But you didn't make a deal?
Technically, yes, I did, but...
Trevor, just...
Just tell me what the hell is going on.
I've been working for the Department of Damage Control.
You've been spying on me?
Gathering information.
S... so...
Midnight Cowboy?
The audition?
My mom's birthday?
You've been getting dirt on me the whole time.
Simon, I didn't know you when this all started--
And I fell for it. I ju...
I just bought the whole thing like a... like a idiot.
- I thought you were my friend. - I am.
I bought you time.
I haven't given them anything big.
You're a con man.
- I can figure a way out of this. - How?
I don't know!
Right.
That's a hell of a performance, man.
♪ I've been cheated ♪
♪ Been mistreated ♪
♪ When will I be loved? ♪
♪I've been put down ♪
♪ I've been pushed 'round ♪
♪ When will I be loved? ♪
♪ When I find a new man ♪
♪ That I want for mine ♪
♪ He always breaks my heart in two ♪
♪ It happens every time ♪
♪ I've been made blue ♪
♪ I've been lied to ♪
♪ When will I be loved? ♪
♪ When I find a new man ♪
♪ That I want for mine ♪
♪ He always breaks my heart in two ♪
♪ It happens every time ♪
♪ Oh, I've been cheated ♪
♪ Been mistreated ♪
♪ When will I be loved? ♪
♪ Tell me, when will I be ♪
♪ Loved ♪