Imagine getting your "big Hollywood break" in a big budget Steven Spielberg film (WAR OF THE WORLDS), co-starring along side Tom Cruise and phenom child actress Dakota Fanning. Then, to compound the momentum, envision the opening of a critically lauded Indie film (THE CHUMSCRUBBER) in theatres nationwide within weeks of the release of the major mainstream flick. While an overwhelming undertaking for some; the 22-year-old wunderkind actor, Justin Chatwin, apparently, amid all the media and public hoopla, has done more than just hold his own.
Receiving critical acclaim for this his break-through role, Chatwin carries off the task of playing Robbie Ferrier, the patriotic, 15-year-old son to Ray Ferrier, Tom Cruise's characterization of a blue collar, non-involved father, with memorable, albeit subdued, bravado. Through Chatwin's expressive dark eyes, we, the audience, are witness to a level of maturity mixed with rebellious skepticism.
With limited formal acting training, Chatwin admits to being both enamored and somewhat overwhelmed when he first met with Spielberg and Cruise during an initial casting meeting. Of the seven month filming process, Chatwin says it proved to be an amazing experience better than any education in any school.
The months of back to back shooting proved to deliver more collective industry stories told and retold by both Spielberg and Cruise, who combined, have something like 30 or 40 years in the business. As Chatwin exclaims, "That's stuff you can't read in a book."
While an angry and brooding loner throughout the majority of the remade F/X-enhanced version of H.G. Wells' WAR OF THE WORLDS; Chatwin is more of a merciless bully as Billy, a suburban drug dealing teenager who is determined to be a king pin, in the recently released Indie black comedy entitled, THE CHUMSCRUBBER.
A hit at last year's Sundance Film Festival, the film employing the tagline, "Meet Generation Rx", takes a satirical, yet honest look at parents' oblivion to the wide spread drug use among their high school-aged offspring. Directed by relative newcomer Arie Posen, THE CHUMSCRUBBER features a not too shabby, all-star cast including: Glenn Close (THE HEIGHTS et. al.), Ralph Fiennes (THE CONSTANT GARDNER et. al.), Alison Janney (WEST WING), Jamie Bell (BILLY ELLIOT) and Carrie Ann Moss (the MATRIX trilogy).
Ironically enough, Chatwin can also can be seen in the pilot episode of another dark comedy about drug dealing, Showtime's THE WEEDS starring: Mary Louise Parker (ANGELS IN AMERICA) and Elizabeth Perkins (MUST LOVE DOGS).
While just now gaining recognition for his work, the introspective Chatwin, has in fact been consistently acting for the past four years. While somewhat less box-officesque, he has appeared on the big screen in smaller supporting and cameo roles in such films as: SUPERBABIES: BABY GENUISES 2 with Jon Voight and Scott Baio; TAKING LIVES with Angelina Jolie and Ethan Hawke; the made-for-USA TV- cable miniseries version of TRAFFIC; and the non-cartoon JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS.
Demonstrating significant range for a young, strapping lad, Chatwin's edgy yet relatable demeanor and tall (he stands approximately 6'0 ft.) rugged, dark good looks work well among the younger set who find his screen presence to be dreamy, as well as, the runway model set as he has reportedly been linked with model | actress Molly Sims.
But more than just highly regarded for his lanky appearance, Chatwin also has been said to have on-screen charisma and enormous acting potential. In 2004, after the airing of TRAFFIC: THE MINISERIES, critics at Newsweek Magazine included him in their elite selection of "young stars on the rise."
A fishing and snowboarding enthusiast, the Canadian-born Chatwin, grew up in British Columbia on Vancouver Island. His dad was a civil engineer and his mom an artist. During his high school years, Chatwin fell into acting after auditioning for plays and while never landing lead roles, did garner smaller, supporting parts. When it came time for Chatwin to turn pro, it was at the dare of a friend who convinced him to try out for a Canadian television show. After giving a solid read during a call-back, he landed his first pivotal leading role.
Upon concluding his work on the Canadian series, Chatwin, then a freshman at the University of British Columbia, ventured on out to Los Angeles, where he cleared up the nonsense of not getting the plum roles by eventually pulling down the juiciest of his career, that being this summer's big-budget, sci-fi blockbuster, WAR OF THE WORLDS.
Yet, in contrast with Spielberg and Cruise, who have enough international fame and press magnetism to share with all of Hollywood, Chatwin say he values his personal liberties, that of freedom, privacy, family and friends far too much to forsake them for outward success, instant notoriety, and outlandish fortune.
That said, in addition to being an impressive up and comer, Chatwin also appears to be a realist. Though still a newbie, Chatwin, who seems to be wise to the ways of the film biz, says, "For all of the great things that come with being involved with this amazing industry and process, there will always be the down."
Yet, at this point in time, the down slope seems somewhat far off for Chatwin. Entering into the big leagues, Chatwin, represented by the illustrious William Morris Agency is presently in talks to take on a dual role as actor and producer with THE PORNOGRAPHER'S POEM. Set in Vancouver (obviously a draw for the native Chatwin) during the 1970s, the cult novel by Michael Turner, is the coming of age story about a young man who stumbles into the world of porn when he uncovers the making of sexually explicit short films....
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A capsulized profile on an emerging talent, i.e., actor/director in the film world and a snippet as to why he or she is destined to soon become a household name.
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| Nancy Simon |
A Chicago-based freelance writer and film enthusiast, Nancy has an insatiable curiousity and knack for picking out talented, promising individuals.
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