Interview with Brandon Gibson

While in LA for the table read of the script, I had an opportunity to sit down with the cast members for a Q&A.

Below is the transcript of my interview with Brandon Gibson, who plays Wyatt a.k.a. “Flash” in Suicide Squad.

Brandon has been doing stand-up since he was 14 years old – an no, I don’t mean entertaining Uncle Filbert and Aunt Rita at the family Christmas party. The boy was on stage, under the spotlight, and making much older, much drunker comedy fans laugh on a weekly basis in his hometown of Memphis, Tenn., where he became something of a celebrity at the “Sir-Laffs-A-Lot”comedy club.

When he was 19, Brandon hit the road, touring the country for ten years. In 1999, he moved to Los Angeles, where he’s settled in to steady work with some travel, but not like it was in his years on the road. Married with a little girl now, Brandon likes to stay a little closer to home these days.

2005 has been a very good year for Brandon. Brandon appeared on CBS’s “Fire Me, Please,” co-starred in three feature films, been a series regular on “Totally Busted” (Playboy TV’s version of “Punk’d”), co-starred on the Discovery Channel’s “Guilty or Innocent,” done numerous commercials, and currently has two TV shows in development with networks in addition to continuing his stand-up career.

So you’re busy, right? What you got?
A goiter. Don't make fun.

When did you realize you wanted to become a comedian/actor?
Sounds odd, but in Kindergarten. Good story – as I'm packing my things to move to Los Angeles, I start packing books in boxes. During the packing I come across a book called "My Childhood Diary," a book my mother gave me to keep track of things in my life from Kindergarten to 12th grade. I decided to look through it to see what I was thinking as a kid. In the kindergarten section it had things like: my friends, my teachers, my favorite games, & at the end of the kindergarten section it had a title called "My Wishes". Remember, this was kindergarten. I was 5. After My wishes, I had written, "To move to L.A. and be a famous comedian." I actually wrote that. I was 5. Well, OK. I actually spelled comedian as "comedean,” but I was five. Give me a break. I said I wanted to be a comedian, not a spelling bee champion.

Tell me about your character in this movie ... without spoiling the ending, of course.
I am a brash, boisterous, drunkard redneck who seems to live to push people's buttons. I LOVE IT!!!!

So ... this character obviously has a great deal of comic relief, but he's
responsible for conveying some serious issues. How is drama different
from comedy? Does being good at one prepare you for the other?
The phrase has been said, "Drama is easy, comedy is hard." Well, for me, they're both easy. I'm not saying that to be cocky, but think about it. The best comedy comes from drama. I've had a pretty dramatic life and due to that, comedy has been an EASY escape. Then again, comedy has been my companion since I was 4 or 5 years old. Staying up late, watching SNL when I'm supposed to be in bed, watching the 3 Stooges day in & day out, memorizing every comedy tape I could get my hands on....Bill Cosby, Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy....It has always made up my soul. It's what I am. From that, my mind has gotten more creative than most, so I feel like I'm able to explore more than the average actor.

This is a very different role -- controversial and obviously very different from your "real-life persona". Why were you willing to accept such an "edgy" part?
I like a challenge. I always have. Roles like this are what set you apart from any other actor. This role will truly show what I am capable of. It's a HEAVY range of emotions & traits. This is the essence of a "Break-out" role. All I can say is.....watch out.

Are you worried about being typecast after this film?
Not at all. There is such a broad range in Wyatt, I know that it will affect anyone who watches the film. I will make the statement in the character. The character will not make the statement for me.

So, your career has obviously been centered around stand-up to this point.
Do you have a preference between stand-up or acting? Why?
Acting. It's more fun to play someone other than yourself. I get bored with me sometimes. It also pays better. I also like seeing myself on TV & in movies. I also like cookies. Gooey chocolate chip cookies....and Krispy Kreme.......good God, I'm hungry.

We’re almost done. Suicide Squad is a very different concept for a movie. Why do you think the world needs to see this movie?
There are too many bad films out nowadays. Remakes, cheesy themes, all around stupid ideas that have a candy coating. This film is raw, unique and the idea is virtually untouched. Hollywood fears raw films, but people LOVE THEM! It's time.

You recently had an opportunity to meet the other actors and the director for the first time. What were your thoughts after meeting them?
They're all aliens. I can't prove it yet, but I will. They yell at me and threaten to "hit me in the back of my face". I mean, where is that?! Does anyone know? I will not help them kill Caesar, no matter what they do to me.

(At this point, we had to take a break from the interview, when Brandon went into a 40-minute tirade where he switched back and forth between quoting Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar and the Gettysburg Address peppered with quotes from Facts of Life and BJ & The Bear.)

What is your greatest hope for "Suicide Squad"?
I hope it gives everyone involved in the project the exposure they need so the world can see their talents. There are a lot of talented people involved. I hope it opens the door for all of us to be even more successful and becomes one of those films that people talk about for a long time.

If your friends and family ask you what you're working on during production of this movie, what will you tell them? How would you describe this film?
I would say nothing. It violates my parole.......okay, I'll answer your question Mr. nosy pants!
I'd say it's a very smart, edgy, exiting project that will leave you wanting a sequel.