Happy Sad Confused

One would think when you welcome two guests to the podcast, each esteemed British actors, playing no less than Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh respectively, that a very dignified and maybe even stodgy conversation awaits. One would be very wrong. On this episode of "Happy Sad Confused", Josh welcomes Claire Foy and Matt Smith for a wild and unpredictable conversation about pretty much everything but their Netflix show, "The Crown". From Matt's musings on starting a podcast to Claire and Josh's sad ignorance of "Doctor Who", this chat is off the rails in the best possible way from the start. Somewhere in there, Claire and Matt debate classic movie trilogies, who Ryan Gosling loves more, and how high on their respective friends lists the other is. This is a fun one. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's all happening very fast for Timothee Chalamet and he knows it. Sure, he's been acting and performing for years but no other 21 year old can point to the trifecta of films he's just made, all earning awards season love. Oh and he's just been filming the new Woody Allen movie in between endless red carpets and interviews like this one.  On this episode of "Happy Sad Confused", TImothee opens up to Josh about his career aspirations, his acting idols, and how he almost ended up playing Spider-Man. Plus Timothee and Josh talk about the film that is launching Chalamet into the stratosphere, this universally loved, "Call Me By Your Name".  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A year ago Kumail Nanjiani's career was going great. Between a hugely successful stand-up career and a role on the hit series "Silicon Valley", not to mention various podcasts and supporting film roles, he wasn't wanting for much.  And yet, here were are in the thick of awards season and Nanjiani has found himself lauded left and right for a whole new side of his career -- starring (and co-writing with wife Emily Gordon) in the hit film, "The Big Sick".  On this episode of "Happy Sad Confused", Najiani joins Josh to discuss his newfound career as a leading man in the movies, how it's affected his career, how it's changed his work on "Silicon Valley", plus Josh and Kumail chart out what kind of roles the actor/comedian should snag in the next "Avatar" and "Star Wars" films.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's hard to pick a favorite Richard Jenkins performance simply because he's always excellent. Do you love him as the suffering father in "Step-Brothers"? Or maybe for his Oscar nominated performance as a solitary widower who takes up the drums in "The Visitor"? Or perhaps his nearly silent turn as an aging caretaker of a vampire in "Let Me In"? And how could we forget his ATF agent in "Flirting With Disaster"?!? In other words, the man has range like few others in his profession.  In this visit to "Happy Sad Confused", Jenkins talks to Josh about his approach to acting, why he had given up on a film career decades ago, how he's managed to carve out a prosperous career while living in Rhode Island, and of course, his latest role in Guillermo Del Toro's magical new film, "The Shape of Water". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It would be so easy to hate Armie Hammer. He's been blessed with the kind of looks that would make Captain America roll his eyes. He was born into privilege. And he was cast as one of the most iconic superheroes ever (Batman) at 19 years old with virtually zero film experience. But damn it, try not to fall in love with Armie Hammer. Go ahead listen to this podcast and try! Good luck. In this episode of "Happy Sad Confused", Hammer proves himself to be a charming self effacing storyteller (how many times did he see "Titanic" in the theater?!?) and gets candid on the up and down arc of his career -- from the highs of "The Social Network" to the lows of "The Lone Ranger". Plus Armie talks about his beloved new film, "Call Me By Your Name", why he could only have done it now, and why he's cool with becoming a dancing internet meme. All of that AND Josh picks Armie's brain about the long lost "Justice League" film he almost starred in, why he doesn't have any desire to play a superhero, and whether he'd ever work with Roman Polanski.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It seemed like an impossible proposition for any filmmaker but somehow miraculously Denis Villeneuve achieved the next to impossible -- directing a sequel to "Blade Runner" that actually may rival (and in some critics' estimation surpass) the original. In this SPOILER-filled (you've been warned!) conversation about "Blade Runner 2049" with filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, Josh finds out how why Denis couldn't pass up the opportunity to direct, what scene worried him all the way up to release, and whether a 3rd installment may in fact still come to pass (spoiler: it might!). Plus Josh talks to Villeneuve about his love of sci-fi, what he's planning for his adaptation for "Dune", and what could lure the director to the Star Wars universe.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben Mendelsohn admits that only a few years ago he'd all but given up on his dreams of a film career. For a couple decades he'd experienced pockets of success in his home country of Australia but while his contemporaries like Russell Crowe and Guy Pearce broke through it just seemed like it was never going to happen for Mendelsohn. As Mendelsohn tells the story in this episode of "Happy Sad Confused", it all changed with a little crime thriller named "Animal Kingdom". Since then it's been a remarkable run for Ben and he tells Josh all about it here, from starring opposite Ryan Reynolds in "Mississippi Grind" to playing an instantly iconic Star Wars villain in "Rogue One". Mendelsohn geeks out with Josh about their mutual love of his "Darkest Hour" co-star, Gary Oldman, plus he talks about the prospect of playing a villain in "Captain Marvel" and reveals why his dream role is Doctor Doom! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jon Bernthal knows how lucky he is. "Art has saved my life," he says on this episode of "Happy Sad Confused". In truth, it's a lot more than luck that's gotten Bernthal to where he is today, a much in demand actor on the big and small screen.  Bernthal has definitely had an atypical journey, from getting his nose broken more times than he can count to studying his craft in Moscow. He talks about it all with Josh including how "The Walking Dead" turned his life around and how the premature departure of executive producer Frank Darabont rattled him. Plus, Jon and Josh talk about their mutual love for Shia LaBeouf and why The Punisher is the comic character Bernthal was best suited for.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Josh Hutcherson only seems to be the most well adjusted child actor turned young adult performer in Hollywood. In fact, as you'll learn in this episode of "Happy Sad Confused", Josh is hiding an abundance of secret traumas, from Tom Hanks mocking his flatulence on the set of "The Polar Express" to having his first kiss be on camera for "Little Manhattan". Thankfully Josh takes it all in stride on this episode of "Happy Sad Confused" which gets a little raunchy thanks to his filthy (and hilarious) new Hulu show, "Future Man". Josh also talks about the moment he thought he'd landed the role of Spider-Man, how he looks back on "The Hunger Games" and why he's sick of Los Angeles.  Josh also stars in the James Franco comedy, "The Disaster Artist", out in theaters in December! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kenneth Branagh has been nominated for an Academy Award in 5 different categories, acted and directed in critical favorites and blockbusters alike, gotten his hands and feet enshrined just this month in Hollywood, and is generally considered THE foremost interpreter of Shakespeare's work on the stage and screen today. He also somehow remains humble and grounded and hungry for new challenges, all of which comes up this episode of "Happy Sad Confused".  Branagh makes a return visit to the podcast to discuss his 70mm production of the Agatha Christie classic "Murder on the Orient Express". The actor/director also discusses what it was like to achieve fame and acclaim in his 20s, how his upbringing kept him humble, his thoughts on "Thor: Ragnarok", and why he'll always return to "Hamlet" throughout his career.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices