How Robert Downey Jr. Led Dito Montiel to Riff Raff

Sept. 29, 2006 perpetually modified Dito Montiel and Robert Downey Jr.’s lives.

It was not solely the day that Downey was formally solid as Tony Stark in Jon Favreau’s Iron Man, nevertheless it was additionally the theatrical launch date of Montiel’s debut indie drama A Information to Recognizing Your Saints, starring Downey as a semi-autobiographical model of Montiel. The day cemented Downey’s return to trade prominence after a collection of extremely publicized private struggles, and the random fall Friday had simply as a lot which means for Montiel after lots of his personal storybook ups and agonizing downs.

As a local of Queens in New York Metropolis, Montiel was one thing of a renaissance man earlier than turning into a filmmaker. Within the ’80s, he was a mainstay in NYC’s hardcore punk scene because the teenage frontman of Main Battle. In 1989, his new band, Gutterboy, signed a then-record $1 million cope with Geffen Information. In case that résumé wasn’t sufficient, he was additionally a Golden Gloves boxer for a short time period, in addition to a mannequin for Versace and Calvin Klein.

Nevertheless, in 1992, Montiel discovered himself able with out employment or residence. Thankfully, Jonathan Elias, who produced Gutterboy’s debut LP for Geffen a pair years earlier, supplied him a sofa and a gig within the dubbing room at his Santa Monica recording studio. Montiel at all times had a knack for writing, so he additionally determined to doc his eventful and infrequently troubled youth in a memoir additionally titled A Information to Recognizing Your Saints. Finally, a good friend whom he as soon as labored with at a New York Metropolis Tower Information opted to publish the guide in 2003.

Across the similar time, Elias occurred to be co-producing Downey’s solo album, The Futurist, and that’s when he handed the actor a replica of Montiel’s memoir. Downey and Montiel had crossed paths years earlier throughout their very own particular person escapades in New York Metropolis, and seeing Montiel’s creativity on show at Elias’ studio and thru his guide, Downey really helpful he adapt Saints right into a full-fledged function movie.

Downey then arrange a lunch with producer (and spouse of musician Sting), Trudie Styler, to debate adapting Montiel’s guide, and along with Downey, Styler principally supplied Montiel a golden ticket that he needed to earn via writing, rewriting and workshopping a script, in addition to the manufacturing of a brief movie/proof of idea with Downey because the fictional Montiel. It wasn’t a straight line, however the low-budget function received made. Saints premiered at Sundance in January 2006, touchdown a directing award for Montiel and particular jury prize for the ensemble of Downey, Shia LaBeouf, Channing Tatum, Rosario Dawson, Chazz Palminteri and Dianne Wiest.

“There was no greater gamble on this earth than me on the time. [Downey] was simply nuts sufficient to take an opportunity on me, and these items don’t align usually, if ever,” Montiel tells The Hollywood Reporter. “Trudie [Styler] additionally took some loopy possibilities as a result of she will, and I occurred to be a type of loopy possibilities via Robert. This is able to not occur twice.”

Montiel has now made 9 movies in 19 years, together with Boulevard (2014), Robin Williams’ ultimate live-action launch. The filmmaker’s newest movie, Riff Raff, which is now in theaters, is a criminal offense comedy that’s paying homage to Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Ed Harris’ Vincent makes an attempt to guide a quiet East Coast life along with his present spouse (Gabrielle Union) and stepson (Miles J. Harvey) when his ex-wife (Jennifer Coolidge) and son (Lewis Pullman) present up in the course of the night time after the latter has dedicated homicide. Much like Saints, Montiel assembled one other spectacular ensemble that additionally boasts the likes of Invoice Murray and Pete Davidson.

Coolidge’s casting was born out of Montiel’s appreciation for her HBO collection, The White Lotus, and her involvement created a domino impact from there. Oddly sufficient, Montiel had Harris’ e-mail for over 20 years, however by no means used it till he determined to roll the cube on pitching him Riff Raff. He’d acquired Harris’ contact data when he was workshopping his Saints script at Sundance Institute’s Labs program within the mid-2000s.

“I wrote to [Harris] in the course of the night time, saying, ‘Hey man, I don’t know if you happen to bear in mind me, however I’ve received this script.’ He then wrote me again and mentioned, ‘I like Jennifer Coolidge, and I bear in mind you. I’ll give it a learn,’” Montiel recollects. “He wrote again once more the subsequent day, and he was like, ‘That is fairly good. Let’s speak about it.’”

As was the case on Saints twenty years in the past, Montiel stays impressed with how dedicated these name-brand actors are to smaller-scale productions like Riff Raff. “The extent of care that Invoice [Murray] and all of those actors gave to such just a little film was loopy,” Montiel says. “They don’t want me or this film. I wanted them and this film; that’s for certain.”

Under, throughout a current dialog with THR, Montiel additionally discusses the unusually painless means of casting Murray, in addition to his recollections of Williams on the Boulevard set.

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You had an eventful childhood and adolescence in Astoria, Queens. Within the ’80s, you have been a fixture within the New York Metropolis hardcore scene, and also you turned these dramatic experiences right into a 2003 memoir known as A Information to Recognizing Your Saints. 

Yeah, I used to jot down on napkins as a child, they usually’d normally find yourself within the rubbish can. So my good friend Eddie gave me these cosmopolitan black-and-white books, and I simply saved on writing as a result of it made me really feel good. So I wrote this entire guide in pen, again within the days of pen. I used to work at a Tower Information in New York with a man named David Weemae, and I despatched him a photocopy of the entire guide. In some way, the publishing firm he labored at put it out, and that began a complete ridiculous journey.

When you moved to California within the early ’90s, you began working at a recording studio the place Robert Downey Jr. finally tracked his solo album, The Futurist, within the early 2000s?

The Dito character that I wrote within the Information to Recognizing Your Saints film is that this man who desires to depart all of it behind for California, however I used to be not that man. I’d’ve fortunately stayed in Astoria perpetually, however I used to be in a troublesome spot. I didn’t have wherever to stay, principally, and I wanted a job. Jonathan Elias, who I recorded with years earlier in New York, opened a studio in Santa Monica known as Elias. So he mentioned I may stay there and work within the dub room. We labored on Leprechaun 2 and a bunch of different enjoyable, loopy films. So our job was to place music to no matter got here in on the time. 

Years later, we might fiddle with iMovie all day, however I by no means imagined I’d have any shot in hell of being part of the movie trade. I simply didn’t dare to dream one thing like that. However we’d reduce collectively these little brief movies with Leprechaun footage and recordings of my good friend’s jail telephone calls and Tom Waits’ music.

Fortunately, Robert Downey Jr. was additionally making a report there [in the early 2000s], and I already knew Robert from roaming round New York for a few years. It was arduous to not stumble upon certainly one of us, and it was definitely not arduous for us to stumble upon one another. So I knew him very barely like that, and naturally, I used to be a fan. He was at all times actually proficient, and he was at all times cool. So he’d at all times hand around in the dub room with us and crack up at our bizarre concepts in iMovie. We’d additionally take a look at early web movies of individuals blowing themselves up with fireworks or no matter insanity.

How did he get his palms in your guide? And the way quickly did he join you with producer Trudie Styler and her husband Sting?

Jonathan, my boss, gave him my guide, and Downey mentioned, “We must always make a film.” And it freaked me out that anyone would say that. I bear in mind considering, “Oh my God, now I’ve to really know what I’m doing.” Then he mentioned, “I’ve received this producer, Trudie Styler. She simply made Lock, Inventory and Two Smoking Barrels.” So I instantly went and noticed it, and I used to be like, “Holy cow.” 

So we went to lunch along with her throughout my hour off from the dub room. We went to Manny’s in Santa Monica when it was there, and she or he truly learn the guide. She mentioned, “It’s received an fascinating voice. I can get the 2 guys who wrote Attractive Beast to jot down this script.” And this loopy a part of me was like, “Oh my God, perhaps I can get a shot at writing it.” However to be trustworthy, I used to be afraid to ask. Then Trudy mentioned, “If we don’t like their script, then you will get a shot.” However, in fact, their script was going to be good, so I’d by no means get a shot. After which she mentioned, “Effectively, they’ll’t begin the script for six or eight weeks.” And so all I heard was, “You have got six to eight weeks to make this if you would like a shot.”

I instantly received a tough copy of The USA of Leland’s script, and I began copying every part about its format. If I received my palms on my unique script, it in all probability appears precisely like a worse model of The United States of Leland. On the time, I believed “EXT.” meant exiting, nevertheless it appeared odd that individuals would exit a road. So Robert gave me a lesson someday and mentioned, “It’s exterior!” So I had no thought what I used to be doing apart from attempting to place my phrases into a brand new format. 

How did Sundance Institute become involved?

My 150-page script received handed round, and producer Leslie Urdang, who I nonetheless hope to thank in particular person someday, gave it to Michelle Satter who runs Sundance Labs. She known as me up at my job within the dub room, and I mentioned, “Sundance? Yeah, I’ve heard of you guys, however we didn’t make a film but.” And he or she was like, “No, it’s the Labs.” And I used to be like, “Effectively, how a lot is it? The place is it?” And he or she was like, “It’s free in Utah. We are going to fly you.”

I then requested Robert about it, and he was like, “It’s best to name her again actually fast.” So I took the journey, and I used to be roommates with Sterlin Harjo, who ended up making Reservation Canine. On the primary day, I used to be assigned some unimaginable writers to supervise my stuff. One was Frank Pierson, who wrote Canine Day Afternoon. One other was Carlos Cuarón, who co-wrote Y tu mamá también. After which there was novelist Walter Mosley, who wrote Satan in a Blue Costume. So you may’t ask for significantly better firm than that, and it was fairly the initiation into scriptwriting or writing, interval. It was a miracle that I received to go to Sundance Labs.

So that you rewrote and workshopped the script for some time. Trudie then had you make a brief movie with Downey taking part in you, and that paved the best way for the function adaptation of A Information to Recognizing Your Saints. Did Downey’s casting because the fictional Dito Montiel ever hit any insurance-related snags? That was one of many points working in opposition to him throughout the casting course of for Tony Stark.

There was no greater gamble on this earth than me on the time. So I used to be in zero place to fret about anyone else, and I definitely wasn’t frightened about an important actor like Robert. He was simply nuts sufficient to take an opportunity on me, and these items don’t align usually, if ever. So I understood the luck of the second, however no, I didn’t cope with any of that. Trudie additionally took some loopy possibilities as a result of she will, and I occurred to be a type of loopy possibilities via Robert. This is able to not occur twice.

Downey was truly solid as Tony Stark on Sep. 29, 2006 — the identical day that Saints was launched in theaters. Had been you aware of what was occurring with him all through that yr? 

He talked about to me that he received it, and I bear in mind considering, “Wow, how fortunate are they to get you?” I do know that the director of Iron Man [Jon Favreau] was an enormous champion for him. He knew — in all probability far more than I knew — that this man is fairly good, and it seems he made a very good guess. 

Saints was additionally certainly one of Shia LaBeouf’s first grown-up roles, because the youthful Dito, and he as soon as mentioned that he was so determined to vary your notion of him as a Disney child that he put a gap via a wall throughout his audition. Do you recall him doing that?

I don’t do not forget that, however Shia placing his hand via a wall is just not far-fetched, so I’ll guess it’s right. (Laughs.) We come from an analogous insanity. On the time, I used to be in love with an important younger actor named Anton Yelchin, and he had the identical agent as Shia. So she known as and I mentioned, “Oh my God, you signify Anton Yelchin.” And he or she mentioned, “Effectively, it’s important to see Shia.” So I seemed him up and I used to be like, “Wait, the Even Stevens man? I don’t know.” And he or she mentioned, “No, no, he’s actually good. In the event you meet him, then you may meet Anton.” So she despatched me a VHS tape that Shia had made himself. I used to be in a room with ten individuals in Queens after I performed the videotape, and the entire room grew to become lifeless quiet. I used to be like, “Holy cow.”

You’ve labored steadily ever since Saints, together with Robin Williams’ ultimate live-action movie to be launched in theaters. In hindsight, is Boulevard a bittersweet reminiscence given what it represents? 

Yeah, I actually liked Robin within the restricted time we had collectively. I like that film. I liked making it. I liked his efficiency. He was beneficiant and a sweetheart. He would name me the “Enjoyable Police.” It’s a really severe film, and whenever you put him and Bob Odenkirk collectively, hijinks are going to occur to some extent. So he’d say, “Oh, right here comes the Enjoyable Police.” 

At some point, I mentioned to Robin, “On this scene, you’re coming house from being out all night time.” And he mentioned, “I’ve finished the analysis, boss.” So I grew to like him; it’s unimaginable to not. With this circus life, you get intimately shut for 3 or 4 months, and then you definitely all disappear someday. However the thrilling factor is you’ll be strolling down the road in New Orleans someday, and also you’ll see one of many actors or one of many crew members you bought so shut with for a couple of months a number of years in the past. So there’s loads of unhappy issues about what occurred with Robin, however for me, it’s a drag that I gained’t be capable to run into him once more sometime.

Much like Boulevard’s staircase scene and Saints, your newest movie Riff Raff has quite a lot of chaotic scenes the place characters are speaking over one another and yelling backwards and forwards in a really reasonable means. Do you obtain this pure dynamic via the informality of your course of?

Perhaps it comes from a chaotic childhood. One in all my favourite administrators ever is Brian De Palma, and from what I perceive of him, he tells you the place to show and when to talk. And it’s stunning. It’s poetic. However I don’t have that data, and my head doesn’t work like that. I don’t put marks down as a result of I don’t fairly perceive them. I don’t imply to behave prefer it doesn’t matter to me; it actually does. I simply obsessively plan scenes in my very own means. I’m going to areas with just a little iPhone, and my crew and I act out the scenes. It’s the worst appearing you’ve ever seen, nevertheless it permits me to really feel the scene.

So, yeah, I’ll inform the actors to speak throughout one another. If I requested them to every look ahead to the opposite particular person to talk, it will take a very long time. It will additionally in all probability be remarkably unnatural, at the very least below my course. I grew up below a practice on thirty first Avenue in Astoria. And when it will go by, you’d simply speak louder. So I took that with me, and it’s thrilling when an actor can get into that tempo. It feels actual. It’s in all probability a nightmare for the sound individuals, however I don’t care if I lose a phrase or two. Who cares? 

Riff Raff has fairly the ensemble. How’d you go from Dustin Hoffman and Brian Cox to Ed Harris and Invoice Murray?

There isn’t a nasty transfer there for my part, nevertheless it’s typical of impartial movie or any movie. You sit at house with a dream, and if it comes true, it’s miraculous. If it comes true the best way that you just imagined it, then it’s much more miraculous. Actors fall out, and also you assume it’s the tip of the world as a result of it could possibly be. However I used to be watching White Lotus someday, and I saved saying, “This girl is absolutely good.” And my spouse was like, “That’s Stifler’s mother!” Apparently, I used to be the final particular person on the planet to know who Jennifer Coolidge is. So she was the primary particular person to signal on, and she or he’s a favourite of lots of people. 

After which, due to Sundance Labs, I nonetheless had Ed Harris’ previous e-mail. So I mentioned, “Perhaps I’ll lastly use this.” I then wrote to him in the course of the night time, saying, “Hey man, I don’t know if you happen to bear in mind me, however I’ve received this script.” He then wrote me again and mentioned, “I like Jennifer Coolidge, and I bear in mind you. I’ll give it a learn.” And I used to be like, “Oh my God.” He wrote again once more the subsequent day, and he was like, “That is fairly good. Let’s speak about it.”

Then, producer Adam Paulson mentioned to me someday, “You’re going to get a name from a well-known telephone quantity you could have heard about. It’s going to be Invoice Murray.” And I used to be like, “Holy cow.” He was just like my expertise with Robin. He’s simply such a very good actor, and the extent of care that Invoice and all of those actors gave to such just a little film was loopy. They don’t want me or this film. I wanted them and this film; that’s for certain.

We haven’t even talked about the others but.

Yeah, Pete Davidson and Gabrielle Union added to the embarrassment of riches. I additionally had no thought who Lewis Pullman was, and whereas I’m not attempting to be a pleasant man, I’m blown away after I meet actually particular actors like that. It goes all the best way again to Shia’s VHS tape.

I’m glad you didn’t need to chase Invoice via his well-documented 800-number, however apparently, you’ve had to try this earlier than with him.

Yeah, I chase everyone, man. I’m that man. I’ll additionally obtain emails or messages at the very least twice per week on Instagram or Fb. Anyone will ship me a message that they murdered anyone and that they’ve received an important story. And I’m like, “Wow, I’m not the appropriate man.” (Laughs.) 

However, as a result of I used to be watching White Lotus, I “stalked” DP Xavier Grobet. I additionally liked Earlier than Night time Falls, which he shot. So I discovered him on Fb as an alternative of going via brokers. You understand how that goes. It’s like, “Good luck with every part.” However I wrote to him, and the subsequent factor I knew, he was doing it. In order a lot as I joke, I’m nonetheless that man. I search for individuals wherever I can. It’s a part of the gig. 

Gabrielle Union’s character’s son is an fascinating teenage character named DJ. He looks like he’s 18 occurring 48. He’s such an previous soul. 

I’d been considering, “Who the hell goes to do that? It may flip into Urkel actually rapidly. This could possibly be a catastrophe.” Miles J. Harvey then walked into an open name, and it simply flowed proper out of him. Midway via one scene, I used to be like, “We’re finished. We received him.” And he was like, “I may do one other scene if you would like.” And being grasping, I mentioned, “Positive.” So he did the entire freaking film. It was insane. The man is nuts, and I simply fell in love with him. 

Nice actors normally do one thing I didn’t consider, and that’s partially why I don’t do storyboards. I additionally don’t consider an actor an excessive amount of when writing. I simply put it on the web page, and let the actors fiddle with it throughout auditions. Channing Tatum was that for me on Saints. I had written an impossible-to-love man that, in the actual world, was not excellent wanting. He was form of a catastrophe in actual life. So Channing walked in and I believed, “Oh, I don’t learn about this.” However he had this Of Mice and Males factor the place he chokes you and he doesn’t imply to do it. Then he tries to place you again collectively, nevertheless it doesn’t work. So it was a lot extra thrilling than what I had created at one within the morning. We are able to all dream of nice traces that we’re so certain are good, however then they take a flip when the appropriate actor reveals up. I welcome that. 

You thanked Trudie within the credit of Riff Raff. Was she concerned at a sure level? 

We fought like hell making Saints as a result of I used to be terrified. I nonetheless have that feeling that I’m going to be kicked out of this membership. I do know I don’t come from this pedigree. However she gave me a shot that no one else would give me, and I’ve been very fortunate in my life. So I’m not essentially paying her again for it, however each time I’m going to do a movie, I ship it to her. She actually appreciated Riff Raff, and whereas we nearly labored collectively on it, she needed to do one other movie first. So for her and Charlie Corwin, who have been each producers on Saints and are each good pals, I stick them within the thank yous.

As you touched on earlier, Saints’ Dito character has the ambition of turning into a musician in California, however you’ve by no means actually depicted that a part of your life on display screen. (Montiel’s second band, Gutterboy, signed a then-record $1 million cope with Geffen in 1989.) Do you will have any curiosity in dramatizing your music profession sometime?

Boulevard was written by a man who had come out in his sixties after being married for forty years, however I noticed my mom in that story. Whether or not or not she was homosexual, I’ll by no means know. In my thoughts, it’s at all times a egocentric factor. I want I may relate to Transformers and they might name me, as a result of life could be just a little higher for me. However I attempt to relate to one thing earlier than getting concerned in it, after which I sneak myself or individuals I do know into every part I do. However telling the music tales? I’m not Bob Dylan. That’s for rattling certain.

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Riff Raff is now taking part in in film theaters.