John Travolta, Connie Nielsen and Samuel L. Jackson in "Basic"
courtesy of Columbia Pictures
"Here's Johnny"

ATLANTA: John Travolta is one of my favorite people. I have interviewed him four times now and each time I meet him I am impressed with how open and friendly he is. He is without pretense and seems to genuinely like talking with the press.

I first interviewed him for "The General's Daughter," then "Battlefield Earth," and "Domestic Disturbance." This time I sat down with him when he was in town to promote his new film "Basic."

"I really was excited about doing this film," he said. "I liked the story and I also wanted to work with Sam Jackson again. We had worked together on 'Pulp Fiction' but that was a while ago."

In this movie he is in full "ain't it cool!" mode, just as he was in "Broken Arrow" and "Face/Off." "I liked that about this part. He [his character] has so many facets that you never know exactly where he stands. He was fun to play," he said.

Travolta looks to be in better shape than he has been in years. Critics have noticed that in his past few films he seemed a little overweight. Well not now, he is in fighting form. "I have taken off some weight," he replied, "And I did it with a trainer's help."

Travolta's next film will be "Ladder 49" and it is to be directed by Jay Russell who directed "Tuck Everlasting" and "My Dog Skip." "The movie takes place after 9/11 and I play the mentor to a fireman played by Joaquin Phoenix." Joaquin is the star of the movie, not me," he said. 

When I told him that I had recently talked with Russell and that he was delighted to have Travolta in his film, he seemed genuinely pleased. "I am looking forward to getting busy on that film," he replied.

He still wants to do a musical in the future, and yes he did turn down the role of Billy Flynn in "Chicago." "I just couldn't see where they were going with it," he explained. "I also turned down 'Days of Heaven,' 'American Gigolo,' and 'An Officer and A Gentleman.' Richard Gere owes me his career," he said laughing.

In addition to the musical he also wants to make a movie out of the book he wrote about a small boy's first airplane flight. But there is only so much time and he hasn't gotten those projects off the ground yet. Plus he wants to spend as much time with his family as possible. "My son is eleven now and my daughter is three," he said, beaming with pride.

When we finished our interview he took my hand and said, "You are awesome!" Well that isn't true but it was nice of him to say. I did get it captured on camera when we talked. Coming from him that is a very wonderful compliment. But that is the way John Travolta is - he even wants to make the interviewer leave feeling good about himself and the world.

 

 

 

 

 

©2003 Jackie K. Cooper

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