S5 EP8: Michael Cera on working with Tom Cruise, featuring in 'Barbie', and never graduating

The Louis Theroux Podcast

Spotify Studios

Comedy, Arts, Society & Culture

4.1 • 1.4K Ratings

🗓️ 24 June 2025

⏱️ 85 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this very special bonus episode, Louis is joined by actor and writer Michael Cera. Michael tells Louis about his foul-mouthed run-in with Tom Cruise, nearly missing out on his role as Allan in Barbie, and the reason he never graduated from high school. Plus, Louis reveals which Superbad character he most aligns with… Warnings: Strong language Links/Attachments: Film: The Phoenician Scheme (2025) - dir. Wes Anderson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEuMnPl2WI4 TV Show: Arrested Development (2004-2019) - Fox/Netflix https://www.netflix.com/title/70140358 TV Show: The Office (2001-2003) - BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b00jd68z/the-office TV Show: The Grubbs (2002) - Fox https://youtu.be/knwPbzLWCNQ?si=9d10SEXncfPkrdaK Film: Superbad (2007) https://www.netflix.com/title/70058023 Advert: ‘Pillsbury Doughboy Commercial’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDEYPbfWY6I Film: Year One (2009) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4H_Eepvg3aU Film: Ghostbusters (1984) https://www.netflix.com/title/541018 Film: A Minecraft Movie (2025) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJO_vIDZn-I Film: Anora (2024) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1HxTmV5i7c Film: Funny Games (1997) - dir. Michael Haneke https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ec-70W_K77U Film: Benny’s Video (1992) - dir. Michael Haneke https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18X_kyHW3G0 Film: White Ribbon (2009) - dir. Michael Haneke https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JOXs8KEiDY Film: The Castle (1997) - dir. Michael Haneke https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8hsui0 Film: Right Now, Wrong Then (2015) - dir. Hong Sang-soo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOE-Zznq_S4 Film: Yourself and Yours (2016) - dir. Hong Sang-soo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48F7SkR8yew Film: Claire’s Camera (2017) - dir. Hong Sang-soo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4-C5L0TupE Short Story: ‘My Man Jeremy’ - Michael Cera https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/11/25/my-man-jeremy Short Story: ‘Pinecone’ - Michael Cera https://store.mcsweeneys.net/products/mcsweeneys-issue-30 Book: True Grit – Charles Portis Book: Masters of Atlantis – Charles Portis Book: Dog of the South – Charles Portis TV Show: Scenes from a Marriage (2021) - HBO Film: Fanny and Alexander (1982) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euGIHjc6C_Q Film: Barbie (2023) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBk4NYhWNMM TV Show: Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace (2004) - Channel 4 https://www.channel4.com/programmes/garth-marenghis-darkplace Film: Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (2010) - dir. Edgar Wright https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wd5KEaOtm4 Film: This Is The End (2013) https://www.netflix.com/title/70264796 Documentary: Louis Theroux: Miami Mega Jail (2011) - BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b011k0xx Film: Rushmore (1998) - dir. Wes Anderson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZVdXXG3KN8 Film: A Clockwork Orange (1971) - dir. Stanley Kubrick https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T54uZPI4Z8A&pp=0gcJCdgAo7VqN5tD TV Show: Mr. Show with Bob and David (1995-1998) - HBO https://www.hbo.com/mr-show-with-bob-and-david Film: Bottle Rocket (1996) - dir. Wes Anderson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJPQ-NnjZR0 Credits: Producer: Millie Chu  Assistant Producer: Maan al-Yasiri Production Manager: Francesca Bassett  Music: Miguel D’Oliveira  Audio Mixer: Tom Guest Video Mixer: Scott Edwards Executive Producer: Arron Fellows     A Mindhouse Production for Spotify  www.mindhouse.co.uk  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Microphone check. Chiquity check, chickity check.
0:03.1	Microphone check.
0:10.1	Hello and welcome back to the Louis Theroux podcast.
0:13.6	For this very special bonus episode, I'm speaking to the actor and writer Michael Serra.
0:28.0	Okay. I'm speaking to the actor and writer Michael Sarah. Michael first graced our screens playing George Michael Bluth
0:31.0	in the Fox sitcom Arrested Development from 2003, which also starred,
0:35.5	well, so many people.
0:36.6	But among them, Jason Bateman, Portia Dor Rossi, Will Arnett, and Geoffrey Tambor.
0:42.3	I'm sure you've seen it. If not, check it out. It is very beloved and kind of brilliant. We talk about that.
0:48.9	Then followed leading roles in iconic films of the Nauties, including Superbad, Juno, you remember that one,
0:55.6	and Scott Pilgrim versus the world. He specialised in a certain, unworldly, vulnerable
1:02.0	gamine, that's a female, isn't it, but certainly not possessing traditional masculine qualities
1:08.8	type of role.
1:13.4	Slightly lost, boyish, is what I'm saying.
1:17.4	This one, maybe being a bonus episode, is a little different.
1:20.4	It was recorded in person in May this year at a press junket.
1:22.4	My first ever, I think.
1:33.4	So I trotted down to the Soho Hotel and joined the hordes of film critics because Michael was launching the new Wes Anderson film, The Phoenician Scheme.
1:37.5	Millie says, I should say, it's got an end of series feel. We tend to say that when maybe there's more banter and a bit less intense peeling away of the layers. Is that making
1:50.7	sense to anyone? We'd heard that he might be a bit of a fan. We. That's the production team. I haven't
1:58.0	got worms. Or do I? Of my programs. And whether or not he was or is,
2:06.3	you'll shortly be finding out. Awkward. Awkward if he isn't. A warning there is strong
	...

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