Happy Sad Confused

Normally it would be easy to resent a guy like Colin Trevorrow, a filmmaker who somehow made the leap from a small Sundance debut (“Safety Not Guaranteed”) to being given the keys to a beloved franchise like “Jurassic Park.” But Colin is as aware of his luck and as humble as you could imagine, so unfortunately we’re just going to have to like him and appreciate his talents. Colin joins Josh on “Happy Sad Confused” this week to geek out about “Wonder Woman,” his secret past as a child opera singer, and, of course, his new film, “The Book of Henry” (opening this week). Oh, and then there’s “Star Wars.” As he prepares to direct “Episode IX,” Colin talks about his early obsession with the franchise, why he thinks he was destined to direct a “Star Wars” film, and just how he got this job of a lifetime. Also joining Josh on the show this week is the extremely funny Sam Richardson, best known as the sweetly earnest Richard Splett on “Veep.” Sam talks about how his one-episode guest spot blossomed into a series regular role; how he got his own Comedy Central show, “Detroiters,” off the ground; and why he’s desperate to get into the next “Black Panther” movie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s a full-circle moment for “Happy Sad Confused” as our very first guest, Kate Mara, returns at long last! A lot has changed since Kate last visited, and she and Josh take stock of it all, from a little perspective on “Fantastic Four” to introducing fiancé Jamie Bell to her One Direction obsession. Kate also talks about her love of animals (including a trip to Liberia to hang with some chimpanzees and her sister, Rooney) and working opposite a canine costar in her new film, “Megan Leavy.” Later in the show, Jake Johnson makes his debut to talk about what it’s like to do crazy, death-defying stunts with Tom Cruise (their new film “The Mummy” is out this Friday). Jake also talks about his bittersweet feelings on the “New Girl” ending, what it was like to hang out with Prince, and why his biggest box-office success, “Let’s Be Cops,” wasn’t a fun experience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hasan Minhaj admits he’s feeling a little sleepy, but you would too if you had as much as he’s got going on. This week on “Happy Sad Confused,” the “Daily Show” correspondent dissects his huge moment delivering the big speech at the recent White House Correspondents’ dinner, revealing his contingency plan if the president had shown up and why the room was so tough.   Minhaj also describes what went into making his first comedy special, “Homecoming King” (now on Netflix), why he’s ashamed of one pivotal decision in his relationship with his father, and that time Amy Schumer introduced him to Madonna.   Also joining Josh this week are the writer/director/star of “Band Aid,” Zoe Lister-Jones, and her leading man, Adam Pally. The duo compare bar/bat mitzvah stories and describe what it was like working with an all-female crew on the Sundance hit, which comes to theaters this Friday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You’d be hard-pressed to find two films more dissimilar than “Baywatch” and “The Wall,” currently in theaters, but that’s what “Happy Sad Confused” is all about — and, indeed, this week’s show runs the gamut.   First up is Alexandra Daddario, best known for the “Percy Jackson” films and a career-altering turn in “True Detective,” who now finds herself reinvented in a sexy comic role in “Baywatch.” According to Daddario, it wasn’t all smooth sailing in her career at the outset, as she shocked her parents (two accomplished attorneys) and herself by embracing acting. Come for the “Baywatch” talk, stay for the classy chat about boobs and penises.   Later in the show, Josh welcomes director Doug Liman (his new movie, “The Wall,” is now in theaters), a filmmaker who has consistently thrown out the rule book in a career that’s ranged from “Swingers” and “Go” to “The Bourne Identity” and “Edge of Tomorrow.”   Liman is nothing if not frank about his clashes in the business, including the remarkable story of how “The Bourne Identity” went from surefire flop to phenomenon. The director also delivers some exciting details about the “Edge of Tomorrow” sequel and what it’s like to share a house with Tom Cruise (hint: you’d better bring your A game to your household chores). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s an “Alien: Covenant” love fest this week on “Happy Sad Confused” as Josh welcomes three of its stars. Michael Fassbender makes a triumphant third appearance on the podcast and this time he’s brought a friend: the always hysterical Danny McBride! Fassbender and McBride talk competitive eating, explain why Michael hasn’t appeared in a comedy yet, and deliver some scoops on the future of the "X-Men" and "Halloween" franchises. When you think of the "Alien" franchise you have to think of the kick-ass heroines (Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley remains iconic), and Katherine Waterston is up for the challenge, as she tells Josh. Waterston also reminisces about the seedier side of New York, the magic of P.T. Anderson, and why she’s still traumatized by her audition for “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While “Game of Thrones” fans eagerly anticipate the show’s return for a seventh season this summer, “Happy Sad Confused” has a treat for you: breakout star Nikolaj Coster-Waldau. In this visit with Josh, the Danish actor gets real about his life and career, and nothing is off limits. From his alcoholic father to his ill-conceived choice to do coke to get into character for an early role, this chat is refreshingly honest. Oh, and he’s funny too! Coster-Waldau laughs about his near miss almost being cast as John Carter, why the “Game of Thrones” pilot had to be shot twice, and what fans can look forward to next season.  Coster-Waldau is currently starring in the crime drama “Small Crimes” (out on Netflix now). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Karen Gillan has nerd cred to spare and we love her for it. This week, as “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” hits theaters, she visits Josh to talk about her love of "Star Trek," how “Doctor Who” changed her life, and why imitating Marilyn Monroe was the secret to playing Nebula.   Josh also talks to Gillan about her Scottish roots, why the actress really wants to be known as K-Gill, her endorsement of Dwayne Johnson for president, and directing her first film!   Plus, she talks about starring opposite Emma Watson in the new film “The Circle." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Neil Gaiman’s fertile imagination has been entertaining and enthralling readers for decades. Whether you know him from his groundbreaking comic-book writing for “The Sandman,” his acclaimed novels like “Stardust” and “The Graveyard Book,” or his writing for film and TV (“Beowulf,” “Doctor Who,” and “Coraline,” just to name a few), if you like imaginative fiction, you’re likely a fan.   This week on Happy Sad Confused, Gaiman joins Josh to discuss one of his most beloved works, American Gods, and its long-awaited television debut. Launching on Starz at the end of April, the show stars Ricky Whittle, Ian McShane, and Gillian Anderson, to name a few, and has received some of the best reviews of any show in 2017.   In this conversation Gaiman discusses the process of bringing “American Gods” to the screen, why he hopes “The Sandman” will also end up on TV, and why he’s sick of grim and gritty superhero films. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why was Anne Hathaway, one of the biggest and most celebrated movie stars in the world, considering leaving acting only a couple years ago? The Oscar winner joins Josh this week to talk about her peaks and valleys, how this Jersey girl made it big, and why she’s sick of nice-girl roles.  Hathaway’s new film is “Colossal”, a delightfully bizarre blend of sci-fi, comedy, and drama, that’s been wowing critics since it debuted at the Toronto Film Festival.  Also on this week’s episode of “Happy Sad Confused” is actress and social media superstar Bella Thorne. At just 19, Thorne’s already got an impressive resume in television and film. She joins Josh to talk candidly about being nearly broke at 18, how social media actually pays her bills, and her new TV series, “Famous in Love” (which just debuted on Freeform).  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For most actors, a life of quiet consistent work is practically a dream come true. And that’s the life Bill Nighy led for most of his career, steady work on the stage, on television and film, and even on radio, but never “that part”—the one that would launch him. All of that changed in 2003, when, by now in his 50s, he stole “Love Actually” out from under the likes of Hugh Grant and Liam Neeson with a memorable turn as a rock n’ roll legend Billy Mack.  Since then, he’s added class and wit to a variety of high profile projects (not to mention returning to the stage and television whenever he can). Joining Josh on the podcast this week, Nighy reveals himself to be a self-deprecating delight, soft spoken but hysterical, and quite insightful. In this conversation, Nighy talks about his latest role as a hammy actor during WWII in “Their Finest”, why he loves working in sci-fi, and why he’s astonished that after all this time, it’s now that filmmakers are asking him to take off his clothes.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices