He wears glasses, is a bit on the scrawny side and has played a geek in more than a few films, but Christopher Mintz-Plasse, known for his role as McLovin in “Superbad,” is a bloodthirsty, violence-loving action junkie — at least when it comes to his taste in movies.
Still, Mintz-Plasse told me there was one film that was so graphic it got to him.
“It was called ‘Frozen,'” Mintz-Plasse said Friday as we sat in a room in McCormick Place (2301 S. Lake Shore Drive), where he was appearing at the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo to promote his new movie, “Kick-Ass.” “It’s about these kids stuck on a ski lift overnight. One guy jumps down on the frozen snow and when he lands, his kneecaps explode. It was brutal, and I loved it.”
It’s no surprise Mintz-Plasse was drawn to “Kick-Ass,” the superhero movie with such a high body count you could call it “Kill Bill” with capes. He auditioned for the lead role of “Kick-Ass” but was turned down on the spot by director Matthew Vaughn.
Mintz-Plasse hasn’t seen much rejection in his young career – “Superbad” was his first audition – but he didn’t get too down about it. (He auditioned for the lead role in “Zombieland,” which went to Jesse Eisenberg). And soon after, Vaughn offered him the role of Red Mist.
Fortunately for Mintz-Plasse, there was no bulking up needed to play the character (a comic book fan who dresses up as a superhero to meet Kick-Ass).
“I think I’d look really weird with a ripped body,” Mintz-Plasse said. “It wouldn’t come natural for me. The only way I would do that is for a role. I’d do anything for a role, from shaving my head to …”
Whoa, what’s wrong with a shaved head?
“Nothing,” he responded. “You look great. I’m just saying I have an odd-shaped head.”
Good save.
Despite being the “cool drama kid” in high school in Los Angeles, he has been able to play socially awkward characters to perfection.
“It’s definitely in the writing,” he said. “And I knew a bunch of awkward, uncomfortable kids in high school. They wouldn’t really look people in the eye. I used that in ‘Role Models.'”
In June, Mintz-Plasse turns 21. He knows he won’t look like he belongs in bars, but he doesn’t seem to mind looking like a teenager.
“I think that’s going to work out for the better when I get older,” he said.
So no growing a beard to offset his boyish mug?
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“No,” he said. “I can’t grow anything, anyway.”
Mohawk talk: Rather just tell me what he had been up to since arriving in Chicago, Jared Leto, sitting backstage at the Aragon Ballroom (1106 W. Lawrence St.) on Friday, decided he wanted to show me. The actor-turned-rocker pulled out a signed baseball he received that day at the Cubs game.
Leto’s band, 30 Seconds to Mars, is promoting its third album, “This is War.” Even though Leto is known for his film roles, including “Fight Club” and “Panic Room,” the group has established itself as more than just the band led by the guy from “My So-Called Life.”
Leto is humble about the band’s success (“We’re just grateful to have these experiences”), which isn’t what some would expect from a guy rocking a tall, pink mohawk, eyeliner and blue nail polish.
“I did it the other day,” Leto said of the new ‘do, admitting there wasn’t much thought put into the color choice. “This ain’t gonna last too long. It’s just for fun. On the road, you can embrace the spirit of recklessness and freedom. It’s not like I have to show up to an office and adhere to a dress code.”
For more Luis, including celebrity sightings in Chicago, go to chicagotribune.com/aboutlastnight.