Matt Bush has been a hot commodity since he was featured in the 2009 Jesse Eisenberg comedy "Adventureland." Soon afterward, he landed a starring role on the TBS comedy "Glory Daze" as a freshman rushing a fraternity.
Now 26, Bush has the pot-centric comedy "High School" and "Piranha 3DD" both hitting Blu-ray and DVD this week. In "High School," he plays valedictorian Henry Burke, who conspires with a friend to get his entire school high to sabotage a drug test so he doesn't lose his scholarship. In "Piranha 3DD," he may or may not be fish food.
We chatted with Bush, who will next be seen in "Trouble With the Curve" (opening Sept. 21), about his various roles, which superhero he'd love to play and what exactly he was smokin' on set.
"High School" was finished a few years ago. What are you most excited for people to see now that it's finally coming out?
Yeah, we shot this a while ago, three years. You read these great reviews and the audience reaction is so great, you just want it to come out there. We're just pumped that people can see it!
What do you smoke on the set during the marijuana scenes?
It's like an herbal tobacco situation. Let me tell you, the set department got really good at rolling.
Who was the most interesting person to play off of?
Adrien Brody was fun because his character is really intense and scary sometimes. It was cool to see Michael Chiklis have fun with a character he'd never played before. So creepy and you wouldn't expect it.
And with hair.
Right, with hair!
They don't get more legendary than Clint Eastwood. What is it like to play off Clint in "Trouble With the Curve?"
It's true, there's very few iconic, legendary actors out there, and he frickin' lives up to it. He's a nice guy, so professional. A lot of times you go onto a set and everyone's freaking out and running around, but you walk on that set and everybody's polite and calm and trusts each other. You felt the love. I'm going in for a small role, but it was such an experience and was really lucky to take part in that.
You are also one of the many assets in "Piranha 3DD." Was that a surreal experience or what?
Surreal, bizarre, fun, all those things. We shot it in a real water park in North Carolina, we were there for a month … [laughs] We had a good time.
First acting gig?
A commercial for local news to watch the 6 p.m. news on whatever channel.
How were you discovered?
My dad is a magician, so as soon as I could stand, he asked me to be his assistant. I was holding all his stuff -- that's how I got my start. I got my first local manager to do print and commercials and stuff.
Whose career in Hollywood would you like to have?
I'm a huge fan of Michael J. Fox. His career, the way he's handled himself in every interview I've read. He seems like a polite, respectful guy. I really admire him as a person.
Favorite movie of all time?
"Back to the Future," just because I've seen that one so many times. This is how you know you love a movie, is when you own the DVD, you own the Blu-ray, but when it's on TV you watch it then, too.
What would you be doing if you weren’t acting?
I'd probably be a teacher. I started college with hopes of being a teacher someday.
What did you buy with your first Hollywood paycheck?
I haven't gone out and gotten a huge purchase, like a car or something. I haven't done that. If I came home with a crazy sports car, my mom would smack me upside the head really quick. I've always been a saver, putting it in the bank.
Dream love interest on screen?
Truthfully, I've always had a Hollywood crush on Drew Barrymore. It's always been Drew Barrymore.
It's rumored she's never been kissed, so maybe you've got an in there.
[laughs] There you go!
Dream role?
I always wanted to do an adaptation of "Shazam!" Captain Marvel, I always thought it would be cool. I'm a little older now, but Billy Batson would have been an awesome thing to play with. I'd love to see that happen.
They were gonna do one with The Rock a few years ago.
[laughs] No s**t! That would have been so good! The Rock as Captain Marvel or Black Adam?
It might have been Black Adam.
I could see that. He's good as the villain, too; but I could see him as Captain Marvel, too, that would have been awesome.
Favorite music?
I actually found an old iPod laying around that had music from years and years ago that had The Darkness on it, so that's been my jam for the past week and a half.
Mac or PC?
Mac.
"Potter," "Twilight," or "Hunger Games"?
"Hunger Games"! My girlfriend works at Scholastic, if I don't say "Hunger Games" she'll hit me!
Beer or wine?
Beer.
Vampires, zombies, or werewolves?
Werewolves, definitely.
Originally published on Monday, May 28, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. ET.
