In a March 10 report from the New Jersey Star-Ledger, actor Steve Buscemi talked about his upcoming film, “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone,” what his career roles were like before “Boardwalk Empire,” and what roles he may take once the hit HBO series comes to an end.
In “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone,” Buscemi plays Anton Marvelton, the partner of Steve Carell’s Burt Wonderstone. Both are Las Vegas-based magicians whose careers are put on the line when a new street magician (Jim Carrey) brings tricks that make theirs look dated. The two must come up with something new and daring to win their audience back.
Not only is this Buscemi’s return to broad comedy, but it is also the first time he got to work with James Gandolfini (who plays a casino boss) since “The Sopranos.”
“I felt really honored to have been a small part of (‘The Sopranos’),” says Buscemi, who guest-starred on the show. “Jimmy brought so much to that character; I really don't know how he did it. You ended up caring about this guy, so you were even more horrified by the things he was doing. He and David Chase, they didn't shy away from showing who that guy was. They gave you a real glimpse into that world.”
Normally landing supporting roles, Buscemi saw his first lead performance come in 2010 with “Boardwalk Empire.”
“I just didn't think I was ever going to be approved,” Buscemi said about getting the role. “But (executive producer) Terence Winter and Martin Scorsese, who was directing the pilot, were real champions of mine, and I think the two of them managed to convince HBO. Getting the lead in a series, that's an amazing thing for me. But I don't feel like Nucky necessarily carries the show; I really feel like it's an ensemble, with a lot of important characters.”
Whenever the show goes off the air, Buscemi said he wouldn’t mind returning to smaller roles, or taking any role for that matter.
“I like character-driven stuff,” he said. “It doesn't matter, the size of the part. It's like, in ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ where there's a run on the bank and everyone goes to the savings-and-loan to hurry and get their money out. And one woman, she leaves hers in, all except for, like, $17. It's only a small part. She's only got, I think, one line. But the way it's written, the way it's played — she's worthy of her own movie. And that's how strong every character should be.”
Click here to read the full interview with Buscemi, which also explores his past performances in films like “Fargo” and how his looks haven’t been a concern for him when it comes to landing roles.
The fourth season of “Boardwalk Empire” is currently in production and will return sometime in the fall of 2013.
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