Joe Manganiello

NASA’s (Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna) ANITA observatory searches for neutrinos traveling with cosmic rays as they arrive on, and crash into, Earth. After years of inconclusive hypotheses, the ANITA team published a paper claiming the particles reveal a parallel universe where time runs backward. This is one of the hypotheses and claims in recent years. 

In your latest film ARCHENEMY you play a character that traveled from another dimension, do you personally believe in parallel universe possibilities?

I do. I think science supports it on a molecular/particle level. I’m not so crass as to think that my way of perceiving the world is complete. 

Your character Max Fist is a fallen hero lost in another world, how did you prepare for the role?

I met with a man who was a homeless drug addict who lived on the streets of LA for 20 years. He was incredibly honest and raw with me about what a typical day of survival was like. I also worked with an old friend who was a meth addict for many years and brought him to set to help me to ensure the drug scenes were perfect. I read a lot about alternate universes, String Theory, and the science and modern thought behind those topics. Aesthetically, I grew out my fingernails, hair, and beard and because I wanted to create a physical arc for the character in which he would morph from this broken-down shell to some semblance of his former glory, I created grounded physical ailments for the character that would help to illustrate the pain he is in when the audience meets him in the film. Also, I was going to pull my front teeth out (implants from a baseball accident at age 9) but luckily the makeup department made me these incredible retainers to “ruin my teeth” so I didn’t have to go through all of the trouble of cracking my beautiful tooth implants that were very expensive.

You also serve as a producer on this film, do you enjoy being involved on the production side?

I wrote, directed, produced, and acted in my own movies in High School and in college. It’s how I got into acting in the first place so yes, it’s something I’ve always done. You could say it was my first love. Archenemy is the fourth film I’ve produced with my brother and we are currently developing more. Producing is a hard job at times but yes, I do enjoy molding and shaping a story.

Do you prefer more comedic or dramatic characters to play?

I oscillate. Lately, I’ve had that magnet pulling me toward drama but I’m sure it’ll switch and at some point, I’ll want something funny to break it up. The fact is, I don’t really think about it that way. I’m just attracted to good material regardless of the genre.

You are known to work from indie to tentpole movies, can you tell us about your experience working with Zack Snyder?

I love Zack. He’s got such great energy and has so much passion for what he does. As an actor, you know you are in good hands with him. He’s going to make you look the coolest you’ve ever looked in your life.

From all the films/tv characters that you performed over the years, can you pick your favorite two/three?

Film and TV? I really enjoyed the first few seasons I was on True Blood. I loved playing Alcide and working with HBO. I LOVED playing Pee Wee’s best friend in Pee Wee’s Big Holiday. I still can’t believe I got to do that. I also LOVED working with Sofia on Bottom of the 9th and getting to work on such mature and heavy drama. Aside from that, the Magic Mike movies were the most fun I’ve ever had a working period and I miss hanging out with those guys.

Where you always interested in acting?

No, I was originally going to study Criminal Justice and play basketball in college and go into Federal Law Enforcement. At the last moment i jumped tracks, gambled, and got a scholarship to an incredible drama (classical theater) school.

You return to the theatre from time to time, do you enjoy the stage?

I enjoy the interface with the audience, the shared energy. It’s like there is an invisible, energetic, umbilical cord that connects me to the audience from the stage that allows me to sense what they feel and want from me. I don’t know how to explain it better than that. It’s an amazing phenomenon. I love the electricity. It’s tight rope walking without a net.  

Do you remember the very first scene that you performed?

The first scene ever for me was as the Inn Keeper in the Christmas Nativity Play in kindergarten. I was the only one who could read so I was the only one that had a line. I was very proud.

Outside the film/tv – what’s your favorite pastime or hobbies?

I run a Dungeons & Dragons game for my friends every Friday night I’m not working or traveling. I really enjoy bodybuilding and weight training. I love to read, watch documentaries, old classic films, and I run my own streetwear line.

What music do you prefer?

Currently Sturgill Simpson SOUND & FURY but I’m all over the place, a great example of my taste is the soundtrack I chose for my 2014 documentary LA BARE mixed by DJ Z-Trip.

You are known for philanthropy and serve on the board of trustees for Children’s Hospital Pittsburgh, what pushed you towards such a noble cause?

I love kids and it breaks my heart to see them in pain. I try to do the best I can to help them and their parents out financially by raising money and awareness for the Hospital.

During this difficult Covid time, are you looking forward to resuming work?

I haven’t stopped working. I’ve been so insanely busy this year with my streetwear line Death Saves, voicing a multitude of animation projects, computer games, motion capture work, designing new figurines to sell in toy stores, my home gym, my weekly D&D game, launching Archenemy, getting Shoplifters of the World ready for launch, and lately shooting a couple of new movies that will drop next year.

ARCHENEMY – Playing now in theaters and available on APPLE TV