Thursday, January 19, 2006
With 'Hostel' role, horror hunk continues rise to stardom
KATHY CANO MURILLO
The Arizona Republic
Jay Hernandez's first big role was in 2001's "Crazy/Beautiful." Other film credits include "The Rookie," "Ladder 49" and "Friday Night Lights."
The 27-year-old was discovered in an elevator in the late '90s. Never interested in acting, he was with his parents at an office building when a talent agent saw him and offered representation. The agent helped get Hernandez's career rolling but later died of a heart attack.
He is currently starring in "Hostel," one of the most talked about horror movies of the young year.
Question: Why go from hunk to horror?
Answer: I don't know. It was something different for me, compared to the characters I usually play. I always play these guys who do the right thing, and I thought this would be a nice departure, a welcome change.
Q: Was it a difficult transition?
A: It came easy. I jumped right into it. (Director) Eli (Roth) gave me enough information as to what he was shooting for. Once I started that process, the rest happened really fast. I could totally feel what my character was going through. We shot it in the Czech Republic, so I had to get used to the language, the people, the locations; it helped tremendously to get in that mode of being in a foreign land and not really understanding or knowing anything.
Q: The theme of the film is torture. Did any scenes make your skin crawl?
A: The whole concept of giving pain just to kill somebody, I think that's just so demented. And the thing is, it probably happens in real life. Eli said he found a Web site that inspired this script. He said there is this place in another country where you can pay X amount of dollars to go and kill somebody. I think that's so twisted. But it makes for a great horror film (chuckles).
Q: When was the last time you got lightheaded from something gory?
A: It's been a while. Maybe when I saw "The Shining." Those kinds of movies really freaked me out when I was a kid. When it comes to seeing blood in real life, I'm pretty cool and I can handle it. But the thing with "Hostel," I knew it was just a movie. I knew exactly everything. I knew all the special effects - but watching it in the theater, I found myself squirming and looking away, going, "Oh, my God!" It was pretty horrific for me, and I knew what was going to happen!
Q: A lot of girlie-girl Jay Hernandez fans will see this picture. Can they take it?
A: All I can say is anybody who wants to go and be affected by a movie should see it. When you walk out, it's something you can't stop talking about it. I even took my mom, but I let her know what the deal was. I said, "Mom, there's going to be sex, violence and everything in between!" She knew going in what was in store. But she said she liked it; I was surprised.
Q: You seem to dodge the stereotypical Latino roles. Is that luck or effort?
A: It's not luck. It's strong, conscious effort. There have been a lot of people who try to put me in a category and do those kind of stereotypical roles. Other actors, like myself, are working hard to change that. I'm doing another film right now with Oliver Stone about 9/11, where I play a New York Italian. I've turned down pretty good money to escape Latino-stereotype roles, but in the end, it pays off because I feel like I get more respect.
Q: How has your life changed since being discovered in an elevator?
A: When I go in a room now, people know who I am and that's good because I'm building up a strong history that people can watch and refer to. It makes it easier. But it's always difficult, no matter what level you are at. Even if you're Tom Cruise. You have to maintain the status and respect. In this business, you make one wrong move and everything can be taken away. So I constantly have to stay on my toes and do the right thing, take risks and so on.
Q: But you're still a movie star. There must be some fun splurging going on, right?
A: I haven't had time to spend money. I did get a cool car, though. But you know what I want to do soon? Purchase a cool motorcycle. I haven't done it yet, but I really want to. Like a Harley or a race bike or something like that. I'll do that soon when I find the time. I have a dealer right now helping me out with it.
