James Marsden became well-known for his role as Cyclops in the X-Men films from 2000 to 2014. He later starred in other films such as The Notebook, Superman Returns, Enchanted, The Butler, etc. The actor, who starred in the mockumentary Jury Duty, has been praised for his acting abilities and nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award.

The actor, who was well-liked for his role in Jury Duty, played a fictionalized, irritating version of himself that brags about trying out for the director. The actor, who has been in the business for a while, revealed that he didn’t think he was the appropriate match for Cyclops.

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James Marsden
James Marsden

James Marsden said he remembers feeling critical about himself

During an interview with The Guardian in April and talking about Jury Duty, actor James Marsden shared that back in 2006 when he had appeared in X-Men: The Last Stand as Scott Summers/ Cyclops, he wasn’t sure if he was the right fit. He explained,

“I was riding this Harley and I was upset that I’d lost Jean Grey. I parked the Harley and walked away. Brett Ratner, the director, goes, ‘Cut! Do it again with more swagger.’ I do it again. Evidently, I don’t look super cool, as he goes, ‘Do it again – and walk like you just got off a Harley!’ I just remember feeling, ‘I’m not sure I’m this guy.’”

James Marsden
James Marsden says he’d rather play a buffoon than James Bond

Talking about Jury Duty, he said that he loves playing the buffoon and the a** adding that someone who thinks that they are great at something but they are clearly not. James Marsden said he would rather play a character like that than play James Bond. He mentioned,

“I was excited by the concept. I wanted to step into that world. It was important to me that this wasn’t a prank show. We were creating a hero’s journey where, hopefully, by the end, you have this Twelve Angry Men moment where we’re hoisting him on our shoulders.”

The only twist of the show is that Ronald Gladden was the one real-life member of the public who was unaware that he was part of a fake trial played out by actors.

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James Marsden recalls how Julia Roberts’ compliment landed him a role in Hairspray

Marsden played the character of Lon Hammond Jr. in 2004’s The Notebook starring Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling, and in his interview, he remembered that he was meeting director Adam Shankman to talk about a role in the film version of 2007’s Hairspray in which he played Corny Collins.

He revealed that he felt a tap on his shoulder and:

James Marsden and Julia Roberts
James Marsden recalls a compliment from Julia Roberts

“It was Julia Roberts. I’d never seen her before in my life. She said, ‘I’m sorry, I don’t mean to interrupt but The Notebook is my favourite movie – and you’re so good in it.’ I just leapt out of my chair and gave her a hug. I remember Adam going, ‘I think you got the part!’”

The actor was highly praised for his part which was eventually given to him after actress Julia Roberts‘ compliment proved as a seal for his acting skill and he later went on to star opposite Grey’s Anatomy star Katherine Heigl in 27 Dresses, which is considered one of the most endearing performances of the actor.

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James Marsden on cancelation of Westworld 

Marsden played Teddy Flood in the dystopian science fiction show titled Westworld, which was created by Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy and is based on the 1973 movie of the same name. The show was canceled after four seasons and the actor expressed his disappointment.

James Marsden
James Marsden as Teddy Flood in Westworld

He said during an interview with Rolling Stone via EW,

“I’d be lying to you if I told you that the way we ended ‘Westworld’ wasn’t a disappointment. I’m never going to speak without gratitude about any of my experiences, but it would have been nice to be able to complete the story we wanted to finish.”

He continued that he loves the Westworld family and it was one of the unique opportunities to be a part of something where he would be sitting at home ravenously waiting for the next episode as a fan of the show. He also acknowledged that he understands that making that show is expensive and big shows have to have a big viewership to sustain the expense large, adding that he just wished that it was about more than financial success.

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