INTERVIEWS
Interview: 'Gangster Squad' Director Ruben Fleischer on L.A., Career
by Alex Billington
January 11, 2013
In as little as four years, director Ruben Fleischer has made three high profile features. His third, the Los Angeles-set mobster action movie Gangster Squad, arrives in theaters today after being delayed from last October. His career kicked off spectacularly with Zombieland, was followed up by the comedy 30 Minutes or Less, then completely switched gears to this period action drama for Warner Bros with an impressive high caliber cast. I connected up with Ruben Fleischer this morning over Skype for chat on all things Gangster Squad, his career, how he got here and why, what it was like shooting in LA, and plenty more. Watch below!
This is a raw recording from Skype of my interview with Ruben about Gangster Squad. We recorded at what was 8:30AM in the morning his time, after a week of talking with press leading up to his film opening today.
Here's my full video interview with Gangster Squad director Ruben Fleischer, recorded from our call:
I've been looking forward to talking with Ruben ever since Zombieland hit theaters in 2009. After his first two movies and now Gangster Squad, there's no question he is a versatile and talented filmmaker on the rise in Hollywood. He can do action, he can do comedy, what about sci-fi or something bigger? Maybe we'll find out soon. I was glad we got to chat about making Gangster Squad as well as his directorial career so far, and the experience he went through after the Aurora tragedy and alterations they made. I'm looking forward to seeing what he does do next, since it sounds like that's to be determined. I hope everyone enjoys our chat.
The LAPD fights to keep the East Coast Mafia, run by Mickey Cohen, out of Los Angeles in the 1940s and 50s. Gangster Squad is directed by Ruben Fleischer from a screenplay written by Will Beall ("Castle"), based on Paul Lieberman's book. The cast includes Sean Penn as Mickey Cohen, Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling, Michael Peña, Robert Patrick, Anthony Mackie, Emma Stone, Nick Nolte, Giovanni Ribisi and Mireille Enos.
Warner Bros is releasing Ruben Fleischer's Gangster Squad in theaters everywhere today - Friday, January 11th. You can now see the movie everywhere, check your local theater listings for showtimes. Sound Off!
3 Comments
1
That was a great interview Alex! Keep em coming! I'm glad you asked if that theater shootout scene would be Maybe included into the dvd/blu-ray. I'd like to see how that would play out. Maybe some day.
SkyNet300 on Jan 11, 2013
2
Also what happened to that ZOMBIELAND sequel? Is that still in the works? Have a good day Alex.
SkyNet300 on Jan 11, 2013
3
I was disappointed by Jeremy's review of this film this time around. This is a first for him. He's usually spot on. After seeing the film tonight, This review seems more like glorified nit-picking. Perhaps this was the last article before clocking out for the day which is why it was so poor. I'm glad i didn't follow Jeremy's advice on this one or I would have missed out on a great movie! Went in expecting to hate it based on this review but loved it! Don't get the Looney Tunes comparison either. Please learn from your criticisms and continue to deliver your top notch reviews in the future. 8.5 out of 10
FilmBuff007 on Jan 12, 2013
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