#AlexOLoughlin: I’d be happy to never do another sex scene again – April 2010

NY Post . com

Pop Wrap

by Jarrett Wieselman

21 April 2010

Alex O’Loughlin perfectly fits into the grand tradition of Australian actors who wash up on our shores primed for omnipresence with an uncanny ability to charm your pants off. I’m talking Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett here.

And while Alex’s previous efforts might have missed the mark on longevity, they were crucial stepping stones that turned him into one of the most adored up and coming actors working today. Many of those fans rose up following his short stint as a vampire P.I. on “Moonlight” — but I suspect that number is about to exponentially increase this Friday when “The Back-Up Plan” his theaters.

Alongside Jennifer Lopez, Alex turns in an effortlessly charismatic performance as the most understanding first date in history. PopWrap recently caught up with Alex to talk all about the film, his sparse “Back-Up Plan” wardrobe and what the chances of a “Moonlight” movie are.

PopWrap: What attracted you to this script?

Alex: It read like a romantic comedy I hadn’t seen before. There’s some great comedy in it but also some solid dramatic moments. I ended up being taken on a journey with these characters. It was all there on paper, and I met with Jennifer to see if we could get along, and here we are.

PopWrap: Would you say the chemistry was instant?

Alex: It’s weird, you sit in a room like this and you’re sussing out this person you’ve never worked with before. I sort of always test out their sense of humor and she made me laugh.

So we started talking about the script: how we saw the arc of the film and we both had the same sort of idea.

PopWrap: So you’re sitting in Jennifer Lopez’s house — anything surprising adorning the shelves or walls?

Alex: [laughs] There was no Snuggie or anything, but there was a cannonball sitting in the middle of the table. I thought that was interesting. Marc [Anthony] collects a lot of ancient artifacts, so he’s got a lot of stuff from Greece that was fascinating.

I actually started talking to him, hanging out with him when I should have been in the meeting with Jennifer.

PopWrap: She’s recently said how much she dislikes filming love scenes — what are your feelings on them?

Alex: It’s a PG-13 film, so it’s not like Skin-amax. Jennifer’s a married woman and .. well, even if she wasn’t, you just do the scene with the utmost respect and courtesy to get the job done.

Really it’s awful and anyone who thinks filming sex scenes is hot would be wrong. Even if it was with someone you were attracted to, there are 50 people standing around.

I’d be happy to never do another one again.

PopWrap: How do you feel about the way you’re being marketed in the film then, as if you don’t wear any shirts in the film?

Alex: Ah yes, the chest suit.

PopWrap: Is that what you’re calling it?

Alex: I just made that up.

PopWrap: So were you comfortable being that exposed on set?

Alex: It’s really strange. In my own house I’m free to run around naked, but on camera I always ask, is this necessary?

But they got me a trainer and I got to get really fit during the film — that was fun. But no, I’m never comfortable with that.

PopWrap: What haven’t the trailers told us about your character, Stan?

Alex: He’s a goat farmer, he makes cheese – but he’s kind of stuck where he is. It’s not that he wants to get out of his life, but something is missing and he’s trying to make sense of that.

So it’s serendipitous the way these two meet, they collide into one another and neither of them feel ready for it. If love comes, it comes.

PopWrap: Stan is very ready to help Jennifer’s character through her pregnancy — would you be as understanding?

Alex: I don’t know. It would entirely depend on the woman. I haven’t met the woman that I’m going to spend my life with … as far as I know.

So I don’t know what it’s like when that situation crops up, but I think if it’s the great love, it’s the great love.

PopWrap: I don’t know how tapped into the “Moonlight” fan base you are, but a lot of them think that if this movie is a hit it opens the door for a “Moonlight” movie.

Alex: Yea, I’m aware. I’m as closely in touch with the fanbase as I can be. I do try and return the mail and write fans back. It’s crazy.

I had fans before “Moonlight,” but not like this. I’m so appreciative of their support.

PopWrap: Should they hold out hope?

Alex: I think hope is a very dangerous thing, but I also don’t think you should lose hope. It’s not on my horizon but it’s something that I would of course consider if we could figure out a way to make a big special film that’d do the characters justice.

My Thoughts

• I would love to be a fly on the wall in his house – where he feels free to roam around naked. 😛
• Dear Alex, Please make many many more love scenes in the future – the world will only be a better place for it. 😀 (And I need some fresh p0rn 😯 – A special report on why ‘Oyster Farmer’ is my p0rn)
• Alex is a great actor and we know there is no need for him to get naked – but once again, the world can only be a better place if he drops his kit once in a while … 🙂