Filed under: Interviews
Currently the number one film is America is the 'Limitless,' which stars Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro.
Among the supporting cast is Abbie Cornish, Anna Friel, and Daniel Breaker.
For Breaker, who received a Tony Award nomination for his role in the critically acclaimed and Tony Award winning musical 'Passing Strange,' and last starred in the stage musical of 'Shrek,', making the transition to the film world and having the film be seen by many is certainly a joy as he spoke exclusively to Blackvoices.com.
"You know it's pretty thrilling. It's fairly new for me. The only other movie I've done was this movie called 'Passing Strange', that Spike Lee film which was a musical that he filmed on stage. So it wasn't necessarily a full on movie event. Whereas this one is actually a good old thriller. So it's very exciting to come to shape."
'Limitless' is an action thriller about an unsuccessful writer (played by Bradley) whose life is transformed by a top-secret "smart drug" that allows him to use 100% of his brain and become a perfect version of himself. His enhanced abilities soon attract shadowy forces that threaten his new life in this suspenseful and provocative film.
The film is filled with some twists, and Breaker is keen enough not to reveal spoilers, including his own role.
"I don't want to give it away because there's a lot of things that happen at the end of that film that, but basically I'm a leading man's sort of campaign manager at a certain part of his life. But that's sort of all I can tell you because I don't want to ruin the ending."
As the neophyte on a film set, the Kansas native got to watch and learn the process and interact with De Niro, a master pro at this game.
"To be near Robert DeNiro was absolutely nerve wracking. I was completely nervous. I don't typically get nervous around certain people but the guy from 'Raging Bull' is one that you would feel a little intimidated by. We talked briefly about things, about weather and just, you know, sort of small talk. I was just excited to be talking to him."
In regards, Breaker doesn't think an omnipotent drug exist, but can imagine people looking for one.
"I don't know if that drug exists at this size. If a drug like this really exists. But I think many people already trying to create that feeling whether it be with an illegal drug or with caffeine. Or whatever you have near you."
Whether 'Limitless' will parlay more film roles for Breaker, he's certainly not waiting for his next role to come along as he's currently rehearsing for his play, which is opposite Sanaa Lathan.
"I try to go in as many different directions as I can. I think it's been a fortunate couple of years both in the career, but also I got married and I have a son now. So it's been quite fulfilling to have all those things right now. I'm back into the world of theater. I'm doing a play right now over at Second Stage, 'By The Way, Meet Vera Drake,' the new play by Lynn Nottage, and directed by Jo Bonney. I play two characters. In the first half I play a jazzman from the '30s. A fictional character, a trumpeter named Leroy Barksdale who later he falls in love with Vera Stark, played by Sanaa Lathan. But it ends tragically. And in the second half I play this academic from early 2000 named Herb Forrester. He's a bit of an intellectual and it almost reminds you of Cornel West in his look. But this play is very thrilling. It takes place in four different time periods. The '30s, the 1850's, the 1970's and then the early 2000's. And this show also has a lot of film in it. We've actually filmed part of a movie to be projected in the play. So it's a bit of a mash up of different styles. So it's kind of exciting to be bouncing off to different events. In terms of my career, I always try to do something that I've never done before. So as long as it's something I've never stepped into I'm happy. And so in an ideal world I can just be plugged into film and musicals and plays and whatever comes my way."