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This interview was first published in February.
We are recirculating it timed toCocaine Bearsstreaming debut on Peacock.
ButCocaine Beardirector Elizabeth Banks managed to put together an undeniable offer.
Russell says of herAmericansco-star.
She actually said, Are you doing this fucking movie?
I said, Areyoudoing this movie?!
And I was like, Well, now Im definitely doing this movie!
Yes, yes, hey.
Inspired by real events from 1985 (yes, really!
),Cocaine Bearis exactly what the title suggests.
Luckily I saw it in a group.Thank God.
This is not one to watch alone on your couch.
The whole purpose of this movie is pure communal, ecstatic release.
Youre supposed to be laughing and screaming with your friends hopefully slightly altered in some way.
I mean, when Margos face gets dragged on the fucking asphalt, that was insanity!
Like, it really goes for it.
Its punchy, poppy, crazy, silly, ridiculous, scary, and gory.
Its just a complete escape.
She fucking goes for it, and thats just who she is.
With you, Margo, and Matthew, this is essentially the unofficialThe Americansreunion.
Not to mention you once again dealing with a young boy named Henry!
How much did you enjoy watching Matthew let loose in his brief opening-scene appearance?
He doesnt usually get that pop in of opportunity.Still wearing 1980s clothes, still calling out for Henry!
And Matthew in those first five minutes is gold.
To me, he and Margo are the MVPs of this film.
And him going for it was doing crazy weird dances and karate chops.
Oh my gosh, that guy, Andrew C. Thornton II, deserves his own movie.
Like, what?!
So the karate instructor went to Colombia?
I need way more details about this guy.
How much of a deep dive did you do on the real story?
This might have been true.
No, of course I went down the rabbit hole.
The guys life and the whole story is nuts.
I just cant believe that we got away with making this movie and that they kept the title.
And Banks yelling into a microphone, giving us the blow-by-blow of the attacks.
It was insanity, and just us laughing so hard.
Elsewhere in the cast, there is the late Ray Liotta, who passed away after filming was completed.
How do you reflect on your brief time with him?Such a legend.
He was easy and hardworking, and just an all-around cool guy.
The whole point is in and out, enjoyment, laugh your head off, and get some thrills.
No, this is not a three-hour war documentary.
The world is hard enough, the news is hard enough, life is hard enough.
This is a complete escape.
The Americanswrapped five years ago, and its been a bit since you were in a new project.
And maybe Im not ambitious enough to work a lot, which is probably a portion of the truth.
Thats a good point.
The Americans ten-year anniversary was in January.
Do the series and Elizabeth still feel ever-present in your life?
Obviously you have a dailyAmericansreminder in the form of Matthew.I do!
People who likedThe Americansloved the show, so it was a good ride while we had it.
Or it could be cocaine.
But I think it should be, Oh fuck, its happening again with another animal!
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
