Meet Max Ryan, the Newest SEX AND THE CITY Beau in Part II of Our Exclusive Interview

When I had originally sat down to talk with Max, it was just a couple of weeks before the news broke about him being cast as Samantha’s (Kim Cattrall) romantic interest in SEX AND THE CITY 2. In Part 2 of our interview, we talk about Max’s upcoming projects, including a re-imagining of a familiar character, as well as what role Max would most like to play if given the opportunity.

Allan Given: Since you’ve played a lot of different roles, in action movies and now in horror, what do you think you’ve learned the most about yourself as an individual through all of the various characters you’ve played?

Max Ryan: Well you know something, that’s a good question Allan, because every movie that I’ve filmed to date, I mean they’ve really been quite different characters. They really have. Obviously whether it’s from the voice or the makeup or the costumes, the characters have been definitely different and I always try to do something different, because you’re always trying to look for the magic in that particular movie, or that particular scene. Well, I am anyway. I’m always trying to find the magic that’s really going on to give it some real depth and interest. So I think for me, learning to take chances as an actor is first and foremost what I like to do and I think it doesn’t always work in my favor, but some of my best work is actually not being seen. Some of my screen tests for jobs I’ve done have been really fabulous, and I like taking those chances you know what I mean?

AG: Right.

MR: But I’m growing as an actor. I think that’s the most important thing. I watch everybody and everything and I learn what I can and I take what I can, but at the end of the day it all boils down to who you are and your own experiences. And learning from the movies you’ve done and your life’s experiences will actually bring those colors into a character. Because all actors are looking for the magic, they’re all looking to be better than their last movie or to be more enjoyable, more funny, more dangerous, more pragmatic, or more magnetic.

AG: Yeah.

MR: So I think that for me is real important. I’m preparing for a movie now and it’s something I’ve never done before and this is going to be a really big challenge for me. So I think it’s just all about learning, and making those characters bigger and more bold I guess. And absolutely taking chances all the time. You’ve got to take chances to move forward. You stay within the boundaries and I think it could get quite boring to be honest.

AG: I agree 100%. And you can never shut yourself off from learning. You have to realize that no matter what it is, or how long you’ve been doing it, you can always learn more.

MR: Yes, absolutely.

AG: Is there a role that you haven’t played yet that you would love to tackle?

MR: Well that’s a tough one. That’s a tough call. That’s a really difficult question. I mean, I think if Bond came around again, I’d definitely go for that. You know, I am British, and the character is fixed there, and that’s something that all actors, all male actors, would like to have a shot at. You know what I mean?

AG: Completely.

MR: I think it’s one of those roles where the women love the guy and the men want to be the guy. He’s doing everything with just an amazing grace and I think it’s just something that would be really fantastic, not only a great opportunity, but what a challenge you know? I think all the Bonds have been fabulous. They’ve all been amazing, all of them. I think that’s something that would be great. I think for me that is something I would like to do for sure.

AG: Completely, because there’s actually a lot of depth to that character.

MR: I think so. I mean he’s quite simple, but like very sharp. When you’re reading Ian Fleming’s books, the diversity of that guy is fantastic. I love what Roger Moore did with that. I thought he was fantastic. Sean was fabulous as well. Pierce, he’s great. And now Daniel is doing something a little bit different with him and again, that’s the great thing, each Bond has done something unique with the character.

AG: Exactly.

MR: So it’s evolving all the time, which is great, because it’s evolving with society as well.

AG: Now you’ve recently moved into writing. Can you tell me how THE HUNCHBACK came about and what your writing process was like?

MR: Well my writing process was over several years. I started in 2000 reading the books and did the first draft with my co-writer around 2003, something like that. And that was something that I just really fell in love with years ago. I thought the THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME with Charles Laughton was my favorite one of course from 1939.

AG: Yeah, mine too.

MR: And it was actually nominated at the Cannes Film Festival in 1939 and then the war broke out and they never got the prize for it. But this is just something that I’ve enjoyed watching throughout the years and it was ironic that I became an actor and then I realized I could write. My co-writer Julio Ponce Palmieri, and I got the first draft down and we thought, “Wow, we’ve done something really unique with this character.” And since then I’ve written maybe sixty or seventy different screen passes at it, always enhancing it or making it better, or doing something with it or making it more unique. Because of my action background, I write action quite well.

AG: Right.

MR: So I really turn him more into an action hero than somebody just living in the belfry.

AG: How exciting.

MR: Yeah. It’s more comic book-esque if you will. It’s pretty unique to be honest.

AG: That’s very exciting.

MR: Yes it is. It’s very exciting. But I’ve written two screenplays, and I’ve just doctored another action movie that I’m going to be doing at the backend of this year, so I go to town on the action sequences on that. But I don’t think I would write anymore. It really is just a full time job. And we have great writers now that can do this kind of business. So I don’t want to take anyone’s job from them. I’ll stick with my job and they can stick with theirs. It’s good.

AG: Now you have a pretty fervent fan base around the world. What do you think would be the one thing fans would be the most surprised to learn about you?

MR: Well there’s going to be an announcement over the next few weeks and I think that is going to be the biggest thing to be honest because it’s something unique about my career. There’s been like a twist of fates I guess, not like a change in direction in my career, I’m still going to be an actor of course, but I got a fabulous part. I can’t really talk about it yet.

AG: No problem.

MR: But it’s going to be something which is like “wow, this is completely different.”

AG: Well I’m excited to hear.

MR: I know, I am as well. I’m not allowed to talk about it and I wish I could, because you’d be the first to know, but at this moment I can’t. But over the next few weeks it will become apparent what will happen. That’s in regard to my business. For the fan base, you know the fan base is terrific. I think it’s wonderful. I’ve got an amazing team. They’re all talking with each other now, it’s fabulous. And these guys just volunteered. All of a sudden everyone’s getting involved and communicating, because that much information, week in and week out, it’s good to keep things updated. People have shown great interest in my work as an actor and they like me and that’s nice. That’s fabulous for me. It’s great. As long as they enjoy the movies. That’s just a plus/plus all around really, you know what I mean?

AG: Absolutely. Now if you had to narrow it down, what would you say your greatest passion is in life?

MR: You know something? I’ve got to say this. When I’m on set and I’m working, and it’s the whole machine, the whole wheel, everything, cameras are rolling, it’s all about that moment, all the pressure is like dialed into you, because there’s a great deal of pressure®¦I really enjoy that moment. It brings to life you and what’s really inside. It can bring it out, you know what I mean? The camera doesn’t miss a thing. I get a huge adrenaline rush from being an actor. Being on set. Doing action movies. Working with other actors. Learning. And looking for the next surprise really. Because you really have to be on your game with this venture, you really do. But that’s the exciting thing. It keeps you on your toes, keeps you alive and keeps you dialed in you know?

AG: Oh completely. And being able to thrive in that kind of fast paced environment, it really ties into the adrenaline rush from like motocross and other things like that.

MR: Completely.

AG: Now if you were unable to act, write, produce, to do motocross anymore, what do you think you would do?

MR: Let’s see now®¦what would I do? I’d probably be a ski instructor.

AG: Very nice.

MR: Yeah, I would probably do that. I would probably work in the mountains somewhere and work four or five months during the year and do that. Because I love skiing, it’s a fabulous thing.

Max will next be seen in the horror film DARK MOON RISING that will be coming out later this year, and then in 2010, the talented and multi-faceted actor will take on the role of Rikard in SEX IN THE CITY 2.

To keep up to date, make sure and check out:

Max Ryan on Twitter – @MrMaxRyan: http://www.Twitter.com/MrMaxRyan
Official site: http://www.MaxRyan.eu
Fan group on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mcvcm?success=1#/group.php?gid=141958525436&ref=ts
Fan group on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/maxryanfanspace 
Fan club: http://www.MrMaxRyan.com