Enlarge By Larry Armstrong for USA TODAY Christopher Mintz-Plasse, at painter Chris Burden’s installation at the L.A. Country Art Museum in Los Angeles, isn’t really a nerd. He says he was actually pretty popular in high school, unlike his characters in Superbad (McLovin’) and new film Role Models (Augie Farks). WATCH THE TRAILER By Kelley L. Carter, USA TODAY The ladies love McLovin’.
And they share a similar affection for Christopher Mintz-Plasse, the actor who played the nerdy sidekick in Superbad.
As outcast Augie Farks in Role Models (opening today), Mintz-Plasse is more geeked-up than eternally.
REVIEW: *** for ‘Role Models’
“You know, there are ladies out there who just want to hook up with a movie star,” Mintz-Plasse says, “and I’m not saying that I haven’t curved up through girls. But I’m not attracted to girls who are actually elegant and they sit there and they’re oh-so cool. I like girls who are like, ‘Do this!’ ” — he snaps his fingers sharply for emphasis — “and they’re sarcastic back and make me think and keep me on top of my toes. “
Don’t confuse Mintz-Plasse, 19, with the characters he plays in movies. Because the two, he says, are completely different. Mintz-Plasse was never the type to get stuffed into a trash can in high school or muscled around by the football team captains. In fact, he recalls being quite popular as a member of an improv theater group.
Superbad writer Seth Rogen raves about Mintz-Plasse’s talents: “The kid is just hilarious. I just hope that he isn’t always known for that role in my stupid movie.”
The possibility of working with Paul Rudd prompted Mintz-Plasse’s interest in Role Models. The role required him to transition from McLovin’s confident nerd to someone more humble.
“McLovin’ was a nerd who didn’t really know he was a nerd. He’s got this confidence; he hits on all the girls even though none of them are attracted to him,” Mintz-Plasse says. “But Augie — he has not one secret whatsoever. I had to play it down a lot.”
Next he hopes to downplay the nerdy kid persona by teaming up with Nicholas Cage in the action film Kick-Ass.
“I’m playing like a 17-year-old kid who loves comic books,” he says, mirthful, “and he wants to be a superhero.”
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