Emmy-nominated actor and comedian Matt Walsh and director Alejandro Montoya Marín discuss their new indie movie “The Unexpecteds.”
The synopsis is: After falling for a bogus crypto scheme, Gary (played by Matt Walsh, of HBO’s “Veep”) and his misfit friends team up with a mysterious operative, Mauricio (Alejandro De Hoyos), to take down the scammer who conned them.
Matt Walsh
Tell us about your experience working with Alejandro and the other cast members in “The Unexpecteds.” What was a highlight (or highlights) from your time filming?
Spending time in Alberquerque with Alejandro and this cast was memorable for so many things, the sweetly cold cinematic sunsets, the late night talks about great directors in cocktail bars, and the tangy local breakfast burritos that gave us fuel to stay out late and work long days.
How did it feel to have the film premiere on both Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime?
Finally instead of paying a streaming service, I’m going to get some money back from them (hopefully this is a worldwide hit).
What did you like most about the character you played?
Gary was a man who hit bottom, and lucky for him it taught him that chasing money isn’t what life is about.
It’s spending as much time as we can with the people we love. Being separated from his family terrified him enough to change.
Oh and Gary got to become friends with a world class assassin which is cool.
How does it feel to be an actor in today’s current digital age? (Now with streaming, technology, and social media being so prevalent).
Being an actor in this digital age requires you to make your own stuff and not wait in line for opportunity to come your way.
What is your advice for young and emerging actors and comedians?
Hang out with nice people who see your magic, practice your craft every night, and save your money because it’s a marathon not a sprint.
I loved you in “Veep”… Tell me about your time playing Mike McLintock and what was it like to receive two Emmy-nominations for your acting work?
To be nominated twice for an Emmy was a surreal honor!
Being a part of the “Veep” cast made me grateful every day for spectacular writing, and a cast that was collaborative, kind, hilarious, and the smartest people I’ve ever worked with who could play idiots like virtuosos.
What did playing your character in “The Unexpecteds” teach you about yourself?
It reminded me how much fun it is making action comedies.
What does the word success mean to you?
Success is working hard at something you love, sharing your journey with people you love, and staying curious about new people and places.
Director Alejandro Montoya Marin
What inspired you when directing ‘The Unexpecteds’? How did your vision help bring this intriguing story to life?
I wanted to make a movie where the underdogs stood a chance, no matter how unexperienced they’re with revenge. I think the guerrilla style of filmmaking I’ve always embraced pumps through the veins of these characters.
Like them, we had nothing to lose. Thinking like that allowed my team and I to tackle the obstacles indie filmmaking shot our way!
You have a star-studded cast – what was it like working with the cast and crew?
Thank you for saying that. My cast does rule! A dream come true. The cast was on point always giving me what I need while having fun improvising.
It’s one of the best set experiences of my life. Everyone should seek out the work of all these actors because, they rock!
What did directing this project teach you about yourself?
Nothing will ever go as planned. Live in the moment. Don’t sweat what you don’t have, make what you have work.
How does it feel to be a director in today’s current digital age? (Now with streaming, technology, and social media being so prevalent in the entertainment industry).
It’s been hard to stay positive in recent years. The strike, the outsourcing, censorship, all the mergers. And on top of all that, A.I.
It hasn’t been easy but I can’t give up, we all got to do our part for the “rebellion” to work.
What’s the one key takeaway you want viewers to get out of this film?
All I want is for people to disconnect from the hectic world we live in, give it a shot and to have fun. This movie is for everyone.
