In a recent Twitter thread, actor David Krumholtz shared his 'worst audition experience ever' for the 2010 buddy cop comedy Cop Out, directed by Kevin Smith. Krumholtz, known for his roles in The Santa Clause franchise and the television series Numb3rs, recounted a rather peculiar audition that involved an unexpected interruption.
Upon entering the audition room, Krumholtz was greeted by Kevin Smith and reminded by the casting director that it would be a one-take, uninterrupted scene. However, what caught Krumholtz off guard was the presence of a man he described as a '70-year-old Super Mario lookalike' who remained unnamed and did not introduce himself. Puzzled, Krumholtz questioned why this man was present in the room.
As Krumholtz began the scene, only three lines in, the cellphone of the mysterious Super Mario doppelgänger rang loudly, disrupting the audition. Despite the distraction, Smith and the casting director encouraged Krumholtz to continue. The man struggled to silence his ringing phone, causing Krumholtz to struggle to concentrate on his performance. Eventually, the phone was finally silenced around the final line of the scene. Krumholtz was surprised and expected another opportunity to redo the scene but was thanked instead and asked to leave.
Despite this bizarre audition, Krumholtz eventually landed the role in Cop Out. This anecdote gives us an insight into the often unpredictable world of auditions, where unexpected events can occur and throw actors off balance. It also showcases Krumholtz's resilience and ability to power through distractions, even in less-than-ideal situations.
Interestingly, Krumholtz also shared another audition story, this time for Christopher Nolan's upcoming film Oppenheimer. During a podcast interview, Krumholtz recalled meeting Nolan years earlier when the director was scouting locations for The Dark Knight at the same studio where Numb3rs was filmed. Nolan had praised Krumholtz's performance in the show, leaving a lasting impression on the actor. Fast forward to the Oppenheimer audition, Krumholtz found himself as the only actor present, which raised his concerns. He performed two scenes, and Nolan asked him to do it again but with a different approach. Feeling unsure and believing he had blown his chance, Krumholtz left the audition and drowned his sorrows in beer. To his surprise, he received a call from his agent later, informing him that he had secured the role.
While auditions can be nerve-wracking and filled with unexpected twists, Krumholtz's experiences serve as a reminder that perseverance and resilience can pay off. Both Cop Out and Oppenheimer may be different in genre and scope, but they highlight Krumholtz's ability to navigate the complexities of auditions, even in challenging circumstances.
Cop Out, though not currently available for streaming, follows the comedic escapades of two NYPD detectives played by Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan as they search for a valuable baseball card. On the other hand, Oppenheimer, directed by Christopher Nolan, will be released on Peacock on February 16th. The film delves into the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the brilliant physicist behind the creation of the atomic bomb, with Cillian Murphy portraying the titular role.
Audition stories like David Krumholtz's remind us that the path to success often involves unforeseen obstacles. It's a testament to the resilience and dedication necessary to thrive in the competitive world of acting. Whether it's enduring distractions or uncertain outcomes, actors like Krumholtz continue to share their stories, adding depth and intrigue to the industry.
