Scoot McNairy
Scoot McNairy, an actor and producer, is known for his roles in “Monsters,” “Argo,” and “Killing Them Softly.“ On television, he starred in the AMC period drama “Halt and Catch Fire,” “True Detective,” “Narcos: Mexico,” and the Netflix western miniseries “Godless.” He took his first bow as a producer, in 2007, with “In Search of a Midnight Kiss, “in which he also starred. He appears in the upcoming movies “Blonde”, “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile” and “Luckiest Girl Alive.”
Top + Pants by Nanushka
Most of the characters you play have a rebellious edge to them. Do you enjoy playing this type of role?
I do like playing rebellious roles. That said, even though some of the characters are rebellious, I can’t judge the characters I play, so that's a difficult question to answer. Recently I was lucky to be a part of the musical comedy “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile.” and I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed working on that project. It just felt like I had a little bit of a lighter step in the mornings heading into work.
You took your first bow as a producer after acting for a while. Is producing something you always wanted to pursue? Between acting and producing, do you prefer one to the other?Directing! Which is something that is in the works right now. I've always been interested in directing - it’s an itch I have not been able to scratch and now I’m scratching it and I’m itching all over. Producing is something that I have done in the past and want to do more of. You have to love something to stick with it for years as a producer. Sometimes the great stories are hard to get your hands on and even harder to get made.
You were in the mini-series “Godless” and “Narcos: Mexico,” both for Netflix. Do you prefer acting in series, as opposed to the films that we are used to seeing you in?
I love the streaming world. I love being part of a mini-series or limited series. They feel like an eight-hour movie. I wish “Godless” could have gone on for 10 seasons. I had so much fun doing that job. I loved working with the director Scott Frank. “Narcos” was a dream job as well, as I was a big fan of Eric Newman, the show runner. I was lucky to get those jobs and be surrounded by so many talented actors, and I think about those two jobs a lot. Fortunately, now an actor has the good fortune of not having to pick between doing films and doing television.
Many people are waiting in anticipation for the upcoming Netflix movie “Blonde.” What was it like working on this film and with Ana de Armas, who plays Monroe?
I thought Ana was brilliant. It was an out of body experience to see Ana transformed into Marilyn Monroe, and then to work with her, it was weird. I only did a day on the film but I left feeling as though I just did a scene with Marilyn Monroe. Also, Andrew Dominick is one of my favorite filmmakers. He is always fun to be around and to work with. I hope I’m in every movie Andrew ever makes.
Left:
Model’s own
Right:
Sweater by Acne
Jeans by Levi’s
Shoes by Dr. Martens
“Blonde” takes a look in the fame and tragic demise of Marilyn Monroe. Was it emotional to be a part of something so intense?
All of Andrew’s movies are intense. It’s emotional to see and be reminded of how Marilyn broke through the molds of that time. If you watch the recent CNN documentary on her, you see all the groundbreaking achievements that she accomplished. The way she fought, stood her ground, the risks she took, the way she was calling the shots, and how she overcame massive hurdles (mostly all put up by men) in the 1950’s and she beat them all at their own game. It’s an underdog story. One of the greatest. Then you watch the film and you see how bad it was for her and how she was mistreated, and you just think FUCK, I can’t believe this person prevailed and became biggest icon on the planet. She rose above all of it. And she did it almost all by herself. I’m emotional just talking about it now.
We will also see you opposite Mila Kunis in “Luckiest Girl Alive.” Tell us about that film and your role in it.
Without giving too much away, the film moves back and forth from the past to the present, focusing on an event that took place at a school. My role is one of the professors at the school who comes back into Mila’s life as the event is resurfacing in her life. Mila was amazing to work with and is so good in everything she does. I have been a fan of hers for a long time so I was excited to work with her. We both just talked about our kids most of the time. She is one of the sweetest people I have met and was a joy to work with.
Left:
Sweater by Acne
Jeans by Levi’s
Shoes by Dr. Martens
Right:
Sweater by Missoni
Pants by Acne
You are also starring in the upcoming children’s film “Lyle, Lyle Crocodile” based on the classic children’s book. How is this role different from past roles of yours?
Well, as I said before it definitely felt different. The role of Mr. Primm was an interesting one for me. Josh Gordon and Will Speck, the filmmakers, and I had worked on a few commercials around 15 years ago. So, I was elated when they had interest in me for a comedy. I did comedy for about 10 years at the beginning of my career, and it was great to jump back in with this film and these filmmakers. We all had a lot of fun on this film. As well, it was fun to work with Javier Bardem and Constance Wu. You just say yes, dive in headfirst, and figure out how to swim later. I am so excited to be a part of a film that I can take my kids to see.
Presumably, a sizable portion of the film is centered around a CGI character (voiced by Shawn Mendez). What is it like working under those circumstances, interacting with a character who isn’t there?
We had an actor there playing "Lyle," but he looked more like a walking digital mess of wires and blue lights. They also had this sort of coat hanger helmet rig that marked where Lyle would be swinging his nose. I can’t tell you how helpful that was! I know it sounds odd but it was helpful. It definitely had its challenges, but most of those hurdles were for post and the filmmakers to deal with. All I can say is that it all came together beautifully, and the film is incredible. I am stoked for people to see it. Shawn’s music along with his work in the film is brilliant, and I can’t imagine it with anyone else. My kids have already learned the Shawn Mendez song from the movie trailer. I hear it constantly.
Jacket by Adidas x Wales Bonner
Up next you begin work on ‘Nightbitch” opposite Amy Adams. That title alone is intriguing. How does your character fit into the story?
Ummmmmm. I will tiptoe here. I play Amy Adams' husband in the film. And, actually, the script is 100 times more intriguing than the title! With Mari Heller captaining the ship, it's going to be an exciting ride. I feel like I'm in great hands with a great team of producers, Mari, and, of course, Amy.
All of your upcoming films are based on books. Is there something a bit different about playing a character that has already been out in the world in a book vs. an original character from a script?
Yes and no. I think you have an obligation to the real-life people to make sure you're doing your best to get it right. But there are many choices to make in between the lines, so in that regard it can feel the same as playing a fictional character. Having a book is just more detail and more information that you don't have and discover. I just love good stories. Sometimes they are books and sometimes they just haven’t been written into a book yet. But stories are stories and I feel it's more about how you tell the story.
Tell us about your work with TX Whiskey and how it has incorporated your Texan roots.
TX Whiskey is a Texas company with which I have been working.. I can’t tell you how good it feels to be working with such a great team that makes a great whiskey. I have always kept a special place in my heart for the Lone Star State. To be working with the largest distillery west of the Mississippi, and in my home state of TEXAS. Come on. That’s badass, right? You can’t tell me you wouldn’t be over the moon about it as well!
CREW CREDITS:
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director + Photographer + Producer: Mike Ruiz + @mikeruiz.one
Talent: Scoot McNairy
Fashion Stylist: Marc Eram at A-Frame Agency
Groomer: Blondie at Exclusive Artists using Kevin Murphy
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Associate Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Melissa Kaiser, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Location: FD Studio Los Angeles
