I was in one of the biggest movies of all time with Will Smith – here’s what it’s really like

HOLLYWOOD actor James Duval has lifted the lid on what it’s really like behind the scenes of a huge blockbuster movie.

James, 52, is known for his roles in 1996 big-budget movie Independence Day starring Will Smith and the 2001 American science fiction thriller Donnie Darko with Jake Gyllenhaal.

In Independence Day James played Miguel Casse, the oldest son Randy Quaid’s character Russell Casse who had been abducted by aliens ten years before the events of the film.

He said: “There’s so many secrets from both films. One of the biggest ones, when we were filming Independence Day the stuff with the fireballs ripping through the cities, through New York and Los Angeles, we actually shot on a massive green screen at a warehouse. 

“We had cars hanging from cranes and when the director called action, they were actually dropping real cars onto other cars while everyone was running away from the fire balls. 

“It really was quite a spectacle to shoot and even though I wasn’t in those scenes I did show up on set for the day just to watch them. They were so incredibly well organised and shot. 

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“There were about 20 cars on these cranes that were all swinging and then they’d be thrown down that really was quite something.”

On working with Will Smith, 56, and Jeff Goldblum, 72, he said: “Independence Day was an absolute joy to shoot. 

“You are in the biggest sandbox in the world, give the biggest toys to play with. I know with most of the actors, we were all very happy to be there.

“At one point during the filming Jeff Goldblum and Will Smith were constantly just singing to each other. They would sing the lines during rehearsal and then we’d start filming they would get back into character and play it straight. They would be singing Elvis.  

“Will Smith is a powerhouse of an actor and also one of the most wonderful people I’ve ever met. I also got Christmas cards from him for years after we shot that movie. He was a very giving guy.”

James also reveals how the scene where Will punches an alien in the head before smoking a cigar was not in the script.

He said: “They dropped Will from a little crane, and he parachutes in, walks toward the alien ship. Look at you, I had a barbecue today, then he opens the ships and says, what’s that smell, he then punches the alien and says ‘welcome to earth’ he then pops out the cigar and says ‘now that’s what I call a close encounter.’ Those little moments were brought to life by Will Smith, they weren’t in the script but they are testament to his abilities.”

In Donnie Darko James played the giant bunny named Frank who convinced Donnie, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, 43, to commit several crimes.

James said: “With Donnie Darko some of the magic behind the scenes relates to Jake, what was really incredible, most of the time my voice had to be done in post production, I had to scream my dialogue through the mask and that’s a testament to Jake, to be able to hear this muffled voice and  not quite be able to hear what I was saying, and to reply back so emotionally and precisely as he did. 

“I think it’s something that most people don’t know, Frank’s voice didn’t come out like that, it was much more screaming through a mask, the magic of post production made the scenes with Frank way more eerie, it’s a testament to Jake’s acting, he wasn’t able to see my face or hear what I was saying but he could still deliver it, and the performance that he has gave was incredible.”

James also revealed that he signed up to the movie after another actor singed up to play the lead role but he pulled out weeks before filming started.

He said: “When I signed onto Donnie Darko, what most people don’t know, is I signed up to the movie because Jason Schwartzman was involved. I was happy to get the part but when Jason pulled out I didn’t know what to expect. Of course I knew Jake from October Sky, and I have to say, it would never have been that film without Jake.

“All the actors were wonderful, especially this playing the kids. We had these little trailers but Jake’s was bigger and he told us all to go out and hang in his trailer, that way you don’t have to switch rooms. 

“We’d pass guitars round and sing. When Jake had a moment, which wasn’t often, he would come and hang with us too. But that fact he gave us his trailer so we could all be together in one room and develop this friendship and chemistry that you could see on screen between us all.

“I didn’t have to be in make-up. I just had to come in and put the bunny suit on. It was incredible to sit across from Jake and watch him make magic. Memories that I will hold dear for the rest of my life.”

James will be in London for a big party to celebrate Donnie Darko this week where he will be attending the Donnie Darko Halloween House Party on Friday (November 1st) that will transport clubbers into a 1980s themed setting.

James said: “I’m always excited to come to London it’s one of my favourite places and I’ve had some of the best times of my entire life here.”

Readers can buy tickets to the immersive Donnie Darko Halloween House Party here