John Leguizamo on Craft, Creativity, and Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey

John Leguizamo has had one of the most varied and versatile careers in Hollywood, appearing in over 100 films across every genre imaginable. From Carlito's Way and To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar to Ice Age and Encanto, he has a knack for scene-stealing performances that leave an enduring mark on moviegoers. Now, he’s taking on another unforgettable role in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey: Eumaeus, Odysseus’s faithful servant and trusted friend—or as Nolan pitched it to him, “the most loyal character in Western literature.” In this episode, John talks to Jacqueline Coley about stepping onto a Christopher Nolan set for the first time, the unique challenges of shooting entirely on IMAX film, and the deep bond he formed with Matt Damon as they developed their characters’ friendship. A decorated playwright in his own right, he praises Nolan’s Odyssey screenplay and describes how writing and improvisation have shaped his approach to acting. He also looks back on some of his most beloved screen performances, from Chi-Chi Rodriguez in To Wong Foo to Sid the Sloth in the Ice Age films, and his lifelong commitment to representation and portraying oddballs, outsiders, and underdogs with care, respect, and empathy. The Odyssey is in theaters July 17th. Buy tickets now on Fandango. https://fandan.co/4wqBTx0 To watch the movies discussed in this episode and more, head to stream.fandango.com 00:00 – Intro 00:55 – Stepping Onto The Odyssey’s IMAX Set 03:10 – Working With Christopher Nolan 05:30 – John’s First Time Reading The Odyssey 07:10 – QUOTE 1: “I know about art and love…” 08:30 – Bringing Depth to Iconic Oddballs 10:40 – QUOTE 2: “No one is so rich as to throw away a friend.” 11:00 – How Makeup-Heavy Roles Prepared John for The Odyssey 13:05 – Bonding With Matt Damon On- and Off-Screen 15:00 – The Impact of Representation From To Wong Foo to The Odyssey 18:00 – QUOTE 3: “You either die a hero…” 20:30 – TRUE OR FALSE 1: Sid the Sloth’s Voice 22:10 – Bruno and the “Encanto Effect” 23:40 – TRUE OR FALSE 2: John’s Improvised Role in Chef 24:55 – How Writing and Improv Shape John’s Performances 27:05 – TRUE OR FALSE 3: Nolan’s Cinematographers 29:40 – RAPID FIRE: John Leguizamo at the Movies 32:05 – How Carlitio’s Way and Mean Streets Inspired John’s Career A Universal Entertainment and Fandango Podcast Hosted By: Jacqueline Coley Created by: Dwight Caines Executive Producers: Dwight Caines, Fabian Castro Producer: Camille Holmes-Bonilla A Straw Hut Media Production Original Theme Music by Shirley Song