Massi Furlan is best known for his roles in
Criminal Minds and the soap opera
General Hospital. The Italian born actor gave an interview to the
Examiner's Niema Hulin, in which he talks about his struggles to make headway in Hollywood with his accent. Even telling a story about how he auditioned for the role of a Russian mobster, and was asked if he could try to sound more American.
By the way if I had to speculate I would guess that Massi is playing one of Bane's mercenaries. I actually think he might be one of the mercenaries in those official still that were just recently released. I'll have comb over them again and see if I can spot him.
On Being Cast As A Villain Often
“I was a stand up comedian in Italy. I guess Americans; they don’t find me funny because yeah I get cast as a villain most of the time. 99.5% of the time,” says Furlan. “The villain is very memorable. I’m not complaining about the stereotype.”
“If I could choose I would choose comedian,” admits Furlan.
On Working Through an Injury
“I worked with a broken finger and nobody knew,” reveals Furlan. “I didn’t want to tell anybody in production or Christopher Nolan or [have] anybody know that I had a broken finger. And my scenes were requiring using my hands quite often,” says Furlan.
“I broke it at the gym playing basketball,” gushes Furlan. “It still has not healed after 4 months.”
On What Nolan Likes in His Actors
“It was a very good experience. It was very professional. He knows exactly what he’s doing. He knows exactly what he wants. I noticed that my personality, I speak a lot. I talk a lot. So I realized that when I was on set that he doesn’t really like that type of person; the people that talk a lot.” So I adjust myself right away,” says Furlan. Because you know sometimes people—a lot of people try very hard to please others."
“Sometimes I notice they get annoying because they talk too much and they even give suggestions to the director.”
“If they want your suggestion, they’ll ask you. You know what I mean"
The Dark Knight Rises hits theaters July 20th 2012 and stars Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Michael Caine as Alfred Pennyworth, Garly Oldman as Jim Gordon, Tom Hardy as Bane, Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle, Joseph Gordon-Levitt as John Blake and Marion Cotillard as Miranda Tate.