Summary Jason Schwartzman discusses his role in Jesse Armstrong's new movie, Mountainhead, and working on the unconventional shoot. Collaboration on set for Mountainhead with Armstrong was key, showcasing his unique and open approach. Schwartzman remains secretive about his involvement in the next Spider-Verse movie, deflecting questions with humor.
Jason Schwartzman has worked with countless acclaimed directors in Hollywood, including Wes Anderson, Francis Ford Coppola, Luca Guadagnino, and Edgar Wright. His latest role as Hugo (nicknamed Soup by his so-called friends), in Mountainhead, pairs him with Succession creator Jesse Armstrong in his first project since the HBO series concluded two years ago.
The new HBO original film has Schwartzman playing alongside Steve Carell, Ramy Youssef, and Cory Michael Smith, as one of the four billionaires getting together at a mountaintop estate as a global financial crisis unfolds, which was unintentionally caused by them. The movie was filmed unconventionally, with it first being announced back in January, before filming took place in March. Now, two months after filming started, Armstrong's topical satire is finally hitting our screens.
I was fortunate enough to chat with Schwartzman about his role in Mountainhead, working with Armstrong, and how collaborative a filmmaker he is. I also tried my best to get him to provide any sort of update on the upcoming Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse.
Jason Schwartzman Felt Instantly Relaxed Despite 'Mountainhead's Unconventional Shoot "He shall articulate me in the right direction. And I shall do so lovingly."
JASON SCHWARTZMAN: I like your shirt.
COLLIDER: Thank you. I just got it today, actually.
SCHWARTZMAN: Well, you made a good choice.
Thank you.
SCHWARTZMAN: I was trying to get something and put it into rotation immediately; that's a pretty fun feeling.
So when I was doing my research for this movie, I felt like you had worked with Jesse Armstrong before. Then I got confused. I was like, "Oh, wait, no. That was Righteous Gemstones," which I guess is also about family trying to struggle for power.
SCHWARTZMAN: Yes, yes, yes, yes. Also, the same people behind them, in a way, making them.
But how did you first meet Jesse?
SCHWARTZMAN: I first met him on a Zoom call after I had sent in my audition. I don't mean to sound cavalier, but when I found out, they had said, "I think it's going to happen, that you got this part."
Oh, wow.
SCHWARTZMAN: And that was when I spoke with them. It was crazy.
How quickly did that all happen then? Because I know this movie was only filmed like two months ago.
SCHWARTZMAN: Quickly. Because it was the weekend before Super Bowl weekend. It was Thursday night when I first heard about it, and I believe that we spoke at some point during the next week. It was crazy. But the good thing is it seemed to have been that crazy for everybody. It wasn't like six months, and everyone's been waiting around, and you're late. That's a really fun feeling, is this kind of camaraderie of, "Oh my god, have you guys ever done anything like this before? This is happening right now. Let's go!" So, that was kind of a thrill.
And by the way, I was definitely scared. I didn't know anything about it. I knew a little bit about Jeff, but I didn't know what. It's a scary moment to speak to someone that you're going to work with, because hopefully you're feeling that you can communicate with each other. It was so instant. At least on his end, he might not feel the same way about me, but I felt so relaxed and so happy. Instantly, all the nervousness that I had, I felt within two seconds, I said, "I will follow this person into this thing, and we will do this together. And he shall articulate me in the right direction. And I shall do so lovingly."
Jason Schwartzman Was Already a Big Fan of 'Succession' "Yes, this is my guy. He's back." Close
How collaborative was the set? I know you've written movies before, and I was also reading that you had the idea of having the untouched musical instruments on set.
SCHWARTZMAN: Absolutely. First of all, it's such a great question because he has such a voice. I love Succession. I read the script of this, and I was like, "Yes, this is my guy. He's back. Oh, this is happening. Whoa! He's back, but he's different." It's that kind of excitement that you feel for something that you love and for the next thing. That said, he's such an odd exception to the rule, which is like, he's so collaborative, and he wants to know everything that you are thinking. He never, ever says, "This is the way it's meant to be." Even at his most adamant about the way something should be, he ends it with a question mark. Like, "Is that okay? Do you feel that you can do that? Is that something that will make sense to you?" It's really interesting. And it's like that with everybody on the set. He worked with most of this crew before.
It's all from Succession. He has a way of everybody being heard, every idea being valid, and openly admitting he doesn't know. Where so many people fake it and go, "I'll tell you what it is." You know what I mean? He's so open, going, "I don't know. It's a good idea. Let me think. I don't know. What do you say?" And yet it all comes out as we are starting to do the scene and direct it. It becomes his, "There it is!" It's crazy to watch it happen in real life. And so, how do you have someone that is the most encouraging, collaborative person in the world also create something that no one else could make but him? [Laughs] It's bizarre.
Jason Schwartzman Plays Coy About the 'Spider-Verse' Movie "You know that. Come on, Nate."
I am a massive fan of the Spider-Verse movies, and I loved your work as The Spot. I know there has been a lot of time between these two movies, but I'm curious, have you started recording your lines yet?
SCHWARTZMAN: I can't answer that question. You know that. Come on, Nate. You know that shit. [Laughs] You know what the truth is? I've watched other interviews of people who are part of really exciting things that people want to know about, and that's always their answer. I've always thought, "Wouldn't it be fun to be asked about something that people know about and care about?" So I'm just imitating what I've seen others do. Sorry, man.
That's a better answer than most.
SCHWARTZMAN: I'm just imitating people who really can't talk about it. Nate, sorry man, great question, but I can't answer that, man. Sorry. I just like pretending that it's more high security than it is.
Well, it was great talking to you. You have been such a joy, and congrats on the movie.
SCHWARTZMAN: Thank you very much. I appreciate it. And congrats on the shirt.
Mountainhead premieres on HBO Max on Saturday, May 31.
Like Follow Followed Mountainhead Drama Comedy Release Date May 31, 2025 Director Jesse Armstrong Writers Jesse Armstrong Cast Steve Carell Randall Jason Schwartzman Hugo 'Souper ' Van Yalk Cory Michael Smith Venis Ramy Youssef Jeff
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