David Mazouz – Gotham

Q) What are the recent projects you have been busy working on?

A) I’m in New York now shooting “Gotham” and right before we started filming the series I did a movie with Kevin Bacon and Radha Mitchell called 6 Miranda Drive. It’s a thriller and before that last year I did four movies. Right now mostly it’s about “Gotham.”

Q) Please tell us the premise for “Gotham” and how your role as Bruce Wayne was originally described to you.

A) I actually was not given a description for Bruce Wayne. The audition was kind of a long process. I tested about three times and it was kind of crazy. I had done the sides and everything was kind of secret. I knew I was auditioning for Bruce Wayne, but I didn’t know exactly what they wanted until I got the script. The premise for “Gotham” revolves around Jim Gordon as a rookie detective. It will follow his work and every week there will be a new case. It is an origin story for all of the famous Batman characters that you know and love. It will explore how they became the person they are destined to be. As Bruce Wayne, it is an amazing opportunity to me. I feel so blessed to be here in New York. Every time I tell someone I’m Bruce Wayne they freak out and I freak out! It’s just really a fun time and I’m having a great time doing it.

Q) Portraying Bruce Wayne, do you feel any pressure to represent Batman in a certain way?

A) Not really. There is a tad bit of pressure, but I’m excited about it because I’m excited to see what people think of the show and for people to see this crazy thing we’ve created for the past few months. I’m excited to finally let the world see what we have been doing.

Q) What have you found challenging about your role?

A) The hardest thing is playing somebody who I know will become somebody else, but I can’t really share character traits with the person who I know they will become, yet, I have to share some traits with them. It’s also just putting myself in the shoes of the character who has recently lost his parents and is grieving. He’s a really interesting character because he’s dark and he is lonely and scared. Imagine being twelve and having your parents slain before your eyes. It is a really depressing thing he is going through and he is having post traumatic stress disorder. He is going through all of these terrible things and it is kind of hard asking myself, “What would somebody who just lost his parents at such a young age do in this situation?” Questions like that sometimes get the better of me. I love doing though show though.

Q) There is a well established relationship between James Gordon and Bruce Wayne. Talk about working with Ben McKenzie and how you developed that Jim/Bruce bond.

A) Ben McKenzie is such an awesome guy and a great actor. Jim Gordon also lets Bruce know that he lost his dad at such a young age so immediately Bruce has respect for him and kind of looks up to him in a way. Also, metaphorically, he is kind of like a father figure to him (along with Alfred). They form this bond, this unusual friendship that you will see evolve throughout the show in different stages. Eventually, you’ll see why Bruce Wayne chose Jim to be his inside person on the Task Force.

Q) What have been some of your most memorable moments from filming “Gotham?”

A) It was probably seeing myself on billboards and seeing myself on bus stations. That’s all pretty cool! Also, everybody on set is cool and I think they are all perfectly cast as their role. I don’t think anybody acting could have done a better job. Everybody is super great and I love hanging out with the cast. Everything is great!

Q) What do you think it is about “Gotham” that is going to make it a quick fan favorite show?

A) Everything! It’s dark, scary, mysterious and funny. When you are signing up to watch “Gotham,” you are not signing up for a cop procedural. You are not signing up for a regular serialized drama. You are not signing up for a comedy. You’re kind of signing up for all of it at once. It has so many elements to it that you are kind of getting all of it at once. There is just so much going on and I think the complexity of it makes it really, really cool. I think people are really going to enjoy the show because I don’t know why they shouldn’t!

Q) You are a part of social media. Are you looking forward to the instant fan feedback you’ll receive when the episodes air?

A) Totally! I really want to see what everyone thinks of the show and tell us what we need to do on our part. I really am excited because I have been working on this for a couple months and we’re finally letting the world see it! We created this show that we’re so proud of and I am really excited to let the world see it.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) Thank you for being a fan! Thank you for supporting me. I couldn’t do this without any of the fans. Thanks and please watch the show! I’m really proud of what we did and I really want the world to see it. I want it to last until I get to be Batman!