When writer-director Paul Weitz (“American Pie”) offered Dennis Quaid the role of the 50-year-old father of teenager Scarlett Johansson in the romantic comedy “In Good Company,” he expected to be turned down flat.
“He was still making too good a living as the dashing adventure hero, and those kind of guys don’t want to play the over-the-hill role,” Weitz said. “Not that his character is exactly over the hill.”
Still, Dan Foreman, an ex-jock, is going through quite an ego-deflating experience: He’s just been demoted from head of ad sales at a national magazine and must now report to Carter Duryea (Topher Grace), a wet-behind-his-ears newcomer half his age. To further complicate matters, Grace, who has just split from his wife, becomes involved in a love affair with Dan’s 18-year-old daughter, Alex (Johansson).
But Quaid, 50, said he was not scared off by playing a guy his own age.
Paul Weitz said he was surprised you accepted this un-heroic, 50-year-old role.
It’s no big deal for me to play a 50-year-old. I was turning 50 when I did this part, so for me it wasn’t dangerous or risky. We had a great director and script and terrific cast, so to my way of thinking, that’s not a risky proposition. It’s actually a really good choice.
Topher Grace is the new kid on the acting block. Were you worried about acting with him?
My goal is to work with great people; they really make you better. Topher and I read together before we even started the movie, and it was obvious right away how talented he was.
Your character in the movie is fired from his top job. Were you ever fired from a job?
I was fired when I was working as a waiter. I dropped sour cream on some woman’s head. I’m clumsy and got canned for that.
One theme of the movie is “out with the old and in with the new.” Didn’t you recently say you have to be dragged kicking and screaming to make changes?
Most of us do resist change. We get comfortably settled in our lives. That’s what I meant by kicking and screaming.
It must have been an extreme change when your marriage to Meg Ryan broke up.
It was traumatic. When you break up, your whole identity is shattered. It’s like death.
There was a time when your ex-wife was getting the top roles and you were going through tough times.
Every actor goes through phases. But I feel really grateful to still be here.
Tell us about your plans to write, direct and star in “Shame on You,” the true story of the ’40s Western singer and bandleader Spade Cooley.
The Cooley film is a challenge. He was sent to prison for life for the murder of his estranged wife. I guess I consider that a risky assignment because you’re putting yourself on the line by writing, directing and starring in a movie about a guy who is not exactly a household name.
