In an exclusive Skype interview for AllStephenMoyer.com and The Vault Shadaliza spoke with a relaxed and bearded Stephen Moyer about the Concussion film, Killing Jesus, the end of True Blood, his future projects and more.
In Part 1 of the interview we spoke about the gripping story of concussion brain injuries in America’s National Football League. Stephen reveals which part he plays in the film, whether he is a football fan and what touched him most about this story.
Good news for the fans of the bearded Stephen Moyer: it is not coming off yet! Stephen will go back to Pittsburgh in the beginning and again in the middle of December to finish shooting his scenes in the football drama written and directed by Peter Landesman.
“It’s a tiny part”, Stephen says during our Skype interview from the privacy of his home. “My very dear friend Peter Landesman asked me to do it and the script is extraordinary, absolutely unbelievable. I am playing this real life pathologist who has a big, chunky beard”, Stephen smiles while scratching his facial hair.
“I am playing this guy Ron Hamilton [Dr Ronald Hamilton] who was Bennet Omalu’s [played by Will Smith] teacher at the University of Pittsburgh.” Stephen takes a sip of his coffee while I tell him that I have seen the Frontline documentary about the whole concussion issue in football.
“Unbelievable right? And the NFL is still denying it,” Stephen reacts. After seeing the documentary I am convinced that the NFL doesn’t want to admit that football can cause permanent brain damage because the sport is a billion dollar business. “Exactly“, Stephen confirms. “We talk about that in the film. It’s all about money.”
We all know that Stephen is a huge soccer fan, but what about football (or American football as it is referred to in Europe)?
“I like watching it, but it doesn’t really engage me in the same way. If I’ve missed a game I don’t want to sever an arm, but if I miss a soccer game I feel like my blood’s run out. If you actually spend a bit of time checking it out football is an amazing game, but I just didn’t grow up with it and it’s not in my bones, you know.”
Being European myself I can confirm that we grow up with our football. “The real football”, Stephen adds with a smile. And before we know it we are talking about our national teams that haven’t been doing very well lately. The team from my native The Netherlands finally managed to break a long losing streak the other day. “What’s going on?” Stephen proclaims with raised voice. “After a great World Cup they are falling to pieces.” Hell if I know, so back to the concussion film.
I ask Stephen what touched him the most about this story.
“Peter [Landesman] sends me everything that he writes and this was something that touched me because what’s interesting about it is that it’s right at the heart of American society, like soccer would do for us. Basically it’s like being told that people wouldn’t be allowed to play soccer anymore and that’s why the NFL are so vehemently trying to deny that this could be a possibility. It’s like literally saying that soccer is going to have to stop.”
Overall it’s not just the story of those individuals who have been affected by this disease, but also it’s the story of America.
“As you can see in the Frontline documentary there were players who were injured and ended up shooting themselves in the heart in order to preserve their brains so that Bennet Omalu could examine their brains. It is just unbelievable, but overall it’s not just the story of those individuals who have been affected by this disease, but also it’s the story of America.
Peter used to be a journalist and as his writing gets more brilliant and multi-layered it becomes sparer and sparer and there is less detail. The less he says, the more you see as a reader. He offered me a couple of parts asking me which one I wanted and I ended up taking one of the smallest parts because I was interested in the big scene I get to do with Will [Smith].”
As of today the film is still listed as Untitled NFL Concussion Drama. According to Stephen Peter Landesman is still trying to find the right fit and would probably want to see the completed film before he properly names it.
Watch the Frontline documentary that we discussed in the interview.
Stephen looks good with a beard.
Thank you. I thoroughly enjoyed this interview. Anxiously awaiting part two.
Great Job!
Congratulations to Shadaliza for this interview. Looking for the other sections!!!
Great interview Shad. Love that Stephen is in this film. When I saw this documentary last year, I couldn’t stop watching it. So glad Stephen is attached to such an important film; this story needs to be told. I wish his part was larger, but none the less; glad he’s in it. Can’t wait for the other sections of the interview!
I already thought you would like him with facial hair :D Those Meandering Moes
Thanks for this, Shad. It’s an important film; the story desperately needs to be told. I’m happy for Stephen that he has a part. The size doesn’t really matter. It’s all about the story. I hope he’s had a bit of time to explore Pittsburgh. I’d love to get his impression of my home town.
Well done, m’dear. I’m looking forward to Part 2. BTW, I love his smiley picture. I think the beard looks great on him.
Rowena75 He said that when he started growing the beard there was a lot more gray than he expected :D
ShadalizaMonterosa Rowena75 That does tend to happen when you reach a certain age. I can well imagine he was a bit surprised.
Me too love stephen congrats on all future projects
Congratulations on scoring the interview Shad. I saw the same documentary sometime back and it is intriguing. I am always intrigued with Stephen, more more more please. :)
Think you for this interview !
Thanks for posting. Such an important & overlooked topic. Love Stephen so much! ~Keri
Glad that Stephen is part of this important subject matter. This is a story that needs repeated and needs serious attention. There are some areas in life where apathetic greed simply cannot be allowed. Nice to have Stephen as a spokesperson concerning the seriousness of it.
Loved this interview…really digging that beard Stephen…
CherylDurst Being European I was unaware of this whole issue before, thanks to Stephen taking on this project I now know about this problem.
Willkill4Bill Working hard on the next interview article.
Always a pleasure to read Steve’s interviews. The film sounds interesting even though I’m not the least bit interested in football. I was hoping that he’d have a big part, but a small good one will have to suffice. Looking forward to the next installment of your report, Shad!
Enjoyed Part I and am looking forward to reading the rest. Great to hear from Stephen and get an update on his new projects. And surprisingly, I like the beard!
Karenv Funny how the opinions about the beard vary, I am not a fan of a full beard, but add the glasses and he’s got a sexy nerdy look going on.
Bills4me During this interview I learned that Stephen picks his projects with care and the size of the part is not most important variable. He picked this part because of the one scene with Will Smith, a true artist at heart. But it would be nice to see him starring as the leading man in a great story, let’s hope he’ll find that project that is just right for him.
True blood the best……
Don’t like the beard
Still looks good !!!! Loved true blood the movie and the books read them all
Miss True Blood U0001f62d
Handsome
Great interview. Keep it coming!
Just watched all of True Blood, season 5 this past week! Was having “V” withdrawals. ;-) #Movember #NoShave ♡
Oh Nooo the beard needs to go :(
Looks good
Totally loving the beard on him, that touch of grey is sexy! Looks great, Anna is a very lucky woman! ;)
sexy vampire bill. xoxo
We love true blood but bill omg
Love the beard
Love the beard
I’m honestly not liking the beard :/
I’m honestly not liking the beard :/
Es muy lindo pero ya dio el galletazo :(
Es muy lindo pero ya dio el galletazo :(
Miss him.
Always loved that smileU0001f60a
Man this guy looks sexy with his beard. Gotta admire a guy who can rock the look.
U0001f63b He looks so good
The beard is HOT. Forget all you bitches who don’t like it. You ain’t paying his bills.
Not the beard please, too much grey makes you look older than you are.
<3
LOVE the beard!
Lose the beard
waww
too busy growing old ,lol fab
Handsome either way! I miss Bill Compton!!!!!!
What is that beard about? Makes him look like an old grandad
It makes you look quite a bit older, but I would stick with it if YOU like it!
The king vampire
Love the beard !!!
The beard is for the part he is playing in the film.
The beard is for the part he is playing in the film.
Can’t wait for part three!
So sad he was so sick and far away from home. Thanks for the interviews. So much fun to read. Thumbs up on the beard! U0001f44d ~Keri
My life
not bad
Love this guy
Can’t wait
Can’t Wait for read part 4
Lmfao all that true blood money get ur ass a razor
Omg Jade Lansdowne
hate the beard makes him look about 60
I do like this man!!
These are so great. Thanks for sharing, always love to get updates on my TB faves
Tá feio na foto
U0001f62f
No te dejes la barba te vez viejito, pareces papa de tu esposa shokie
Love TB wished it could have gone on a few more yrs. Missing my TB
Que saudades do Bill!