Romany Malco had already established his screen career with roles on television shows including "Weeds" and in movies including "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" and "Think Like a Man." Still, the actor admits to a few butterflies after landing a gig with some of Hollywood's most top-tier talent.
Turns out he didn't have time to fret when filming began on "Last Vegas," starring Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, Michael Douglas and Kevin Kline.
“It was a blast,” Malco said during an interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Before I showed up to the set, I was incredibly intimidated. Before I could say a word, they bum rushed me. All the guys were incredibly inclusive.”
The comedy, opening Nov. 1, reunites four lifelong buddies when the lone holdout bachelor among them (Douglas) finally decides to tie the knot. In Vegas, of course. Malco plays the high-level concierge reluctantly pressed into service when the mature quartet somehow lands a swank hotel suite.
“I’m playing this character who’s kind of an idiot,” Malco laughed. He made the most of the experience, treating the job like a master class in acting.
“This is going to sound so arrogant,” Malco said. “Here’s a little story. One day I came to set and Robert De Niro was sitting on a chair and he said, ‘I wanted to tell you, you do really good work.’ Michael Douglas said, ‘I miss you when you’re not here. You bring an energy.’ Morgan Freeman said, ‘You’re confident. That’s the way to be.’ I ran to my trailer and called my mother!”
Kline, whose long list of screen credits includes “A Fish Called Wanda,” “Dave,” “Wild Wild West” and “The Pink Panther,” had some words of wisdom for Malco as well: “Don’t try to do everything I do. You’ll hurt yourself!” Malco said Kline’s work ethic was especially inspirational.
“There have been instances where I had to lie to the press and say what good friends we are,” Malco joked, referring to interviews associated with other projects. “These guys were incredibly grounded. They were very open to ideas. We built a rapport.”
Kline credits smart casting with the chemistry evident in the fun and funny “Last Vegas.”
"It was the kind of fun you have when everybody's working together and seems to be in the same ballpark," said Kline, who began work on locally shot "The Last of Robin Hood," in which he portrays Hollywood legend Errol Flynn, shortly after "Last Vegas" wrapped.
While the movie obviously was set in Las Vegas, it was filmed largely in Atlanta. An early flashback scene was shot in the Edgewood Avenue area, and most of the interiors were filmed at Mailing Avenue Stageworks in Grant Park, also home to filming for USA’s “Necessary Roughness.”
"This was the first feature film to use our stage," said John Raulet, one of the facility's partners. "We are thankful that we had the opportunity to work with such a great production. We are especially grateful to the local crew on this show who were very quick to offer invaluable advice as we made improvements to the building. We can't wait to see their hard work and endless hours on the big screen."
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