Justin Bartha AIM Interview for 'National Treasure: Book of Secrets'

Justin Bartha plays a mean second fiddle, to which millions can attest thanks to his role of funny sidekick in 2004's surprise blockbuster 'National Treasure' (and also his portrayal of funny roommate in the Matthew McConaughey-Sarah Jessica Parker rom-com 'Failure to Launch'.) We chatted with Bartha, who's just as funny -- and apparently taller -- than his smart (and smart-alecky) Riley.

JustinNatlTrsr: hi, justin here
Moviefoneangie: hi! so -- are you a conpiracy believer? a member of the masons?
JustinNatlTrsr: if if i answer that i would have to kill you. sorry, secret society and all
Moviefoneangie: of course. but in your secret society, are you still the sidekick? do you get to be the big hero at least?
JustinNatlTrsr: well, in the movie I'm the big hero aren't I?
Moviefoneangie: uh, yeah
JustinNatlTrsr: that wasn't convincing
Moviefoneangie: it was the best i could do in the circumstances. i mean, i guess your character finally does get some respect by the end of this one, but not so much in the first part -- kinda overshadowed
Moviefoneangie: do you have any roles lined up that aren't the funny sidekick? you do those so well, so totally not a dis, but do you ever get the girl?
JustinNatlTrsr: I just finished playing the romantic lead in a movie called 'Shoe at Your Foot.' I get many girls in that. hehe
Moviefoneangie: oh, good for you!! when's it out? and what's it about?
JustinNatlTrsr: I play an American that wins a trip to Paris. The airline loses his suitcase and it's sent to a french girl who falls in love with me through the stuff in the luggage
JustinNatlTrsr: Comes out early next year. It's a whimsical romance in the spirit of 'Amelie' and 'Punch Drunk Love'
Moviefoneangie: cute!
Moviefoneangie: back to 'National Treasure: Book of Secrets' -- did you do any of your own stunts in that?
JustinNatlTrsr: Not only do i do my own stunts...I do all of Nic Cage's stunts too!!!
JustinNatlTrsr: and Helen Mirren's
Moviefoneangie: that's funny -- i've heard Nic Cage say the same thing about his and your stunts. i think he said you were Diane Kruger's stunt double
JustinNatlTrsr: I did some of her stunts but my feet started to hurt from the high heels
Moviefoneangie: (that was a lie -- just trying to start a beef between you two)
JustinNatlTrsr: beef already started
Moviefoneangie: cool
JustinNatlTrsr: tons of beef
Moviefoneangie: i also heard Nic Cage say that
Moviefoneangie: are you anything like Riley -- computer-nerdish, etc?
JustinNatlTrsr: I'm not much like Riley...I'm not great with computers, I'm a lot taller in real life.
Moviefoneangie: that's great acting -- playing so much shorter. i thought it must've been f/x, but you do it yourself?
JustinNatlTrsr: yes. Same technology using in 'Lord of the Rings' ...forced perspective, etc.
Moviefoneangie: and you stand in lots of trenches
Moviefoneangie: have you had any great treasure hunts or adventures that would compare with what you've done in 'National Treasure'?
JustinNatlTrsr: Well, I went to New Zealand and got really into bungy jumping. That's about the biggest adventure I've been on ... that and combing Venice beach with a metal detector looking for loose change
Moviefoneangie: you make your fortune with a metal detector -- is that the plot of 'National Treasure 3'?
JustinNatlTrsr: I couldn't find change for a parking meter the other day and was looking in the cushions of my car for about twenty minutes
JustinNatlTrsr: That was pretty exciting
Moviefoneangie: sounds it!
Moviefoneangie: bungy jumping is pretty adventurous -- was it scary?
JustinNatlTrsr: It was really scary!!! I never thought I would want to do it. Always seemed lame to me. But it is so exciting...nothing like it
Moviefoneangie: were there any scary moments while filming 'NT2'? (or 'NT1,' for that matter?)
JustinNatlTrsr: we were filming a car chase and Nic's stunt driver was driving and weaving in and out of these tiny alleyways in London. At one point we almost hit a tree and I wet myself a little. That got the heart pumping
Moviefoneangie: yeah, i guess it would. that's so funny -- you're the 2nd person i've done an aim interview with who referred to wetting himself (the other time was in my interview with Simon Pegg from 'Hot Fuzz')
Moviefoneangie: the aim format just brings that confession out in people
JustinNatlTrsr: That is crazy! I actually wet myself while watching 'Shaun of the Dead'...so it's ironic
Moviefoneangie: me too. love that movie! and 'National Treasure 2' is really fun to watch. was it also fun to make?
JustinNatlTrsr: It was pretty darn fun! To go to set every day and work with all of these immensely talented actors is a gift. I'm a lucky man.
Moviefoneangie: all those Oscar winners in the room. was that intimidating?
JustinNatlTrsr: Nope. I won best supporting actor in the tenth grade for my performance as Meeker in Inherit the Wind. So they were the ones that were intimidated
Moviefoneangie: nice. that is a tough role. really puts an actor through the wringer. i understand their reaction
JustinNatlTrsr: Ed Harris couldn't even look me in the eyes. and Helen Mirren wet herself
Moviefoneangie: i bet. Harris seems like a shrinking violet kinda guy to me (starting a beef with him too)
JustinNatlTrsr: I have so much beef I could open up an Outback Steakhouse
Moviefoneangie: and Helen Mirren -- well, less said about her the better
JustinNatlTrsr: Helen Mirren is the most beautiful, kind, cool woman i have ever met in my entire life
Moviefoneangie: of course! actually, it's a really impressive cast. and everyone seems like they're having so much fun -- except you. you seemed so ... pensive. is that the real you? dark, brooding?
JustinNatlTrsr: i am reading Bukowski over a glass of scotch right now
JustinNatlTrsr: listening to Wagner and watching a Bergman film also
Moviefoneangie: i figured. do you have a 5-year plan for your career? where do you see yourself?
JustinNatlTrsr: I'm too depressed to think about 5 years from now. I gotta go. I'm meeting my therepist to go over all my issues.

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