Catching up with Justin Chon

I caught up with Justin Chon right around the time of the release of his movie Crossing Over. In 2008, Justin played Eric Yorkie in the film Twilight, based on the book by Stephenie Meyer.[2] Justin is currently filming New Moon, Twilight’s sequel in which he will reprise his role as Eric Yorkie.

ASIANCE: Hi Justin, it’s so nice to be able to have another interview with you!

Justin: Hey, yeah, hey how you doing?

ASIANCE: So, first of all, post-Twilight, has life changed for you, more fans and people who recognize you walking down the street?

Justin: My life is exactly the same (Laughter). I knew it was going to be exactly the same and it is pretty much. And it’s like 70 degrees, it’s awesome. I’m hanging out with my friend right here in my hometown in Irvine, eating at the restaurant we always go to.

ASIANCE: Oh what restaurant?

Justin: It’s a Vietnamese restaurant.

ASIANCE: Oh nice! So, since the last interview…oh, did you check out your article on Asiance before?

Justin: I did. I checked it out. I liked it a lot. And after I checked out mine I checked out other people’s too, like the guy from Gran Torino. I like what you do.

ASIANCE: Wow, thanks so much! So, since then, do you have a girlfriend now?

Justin: I’m single and looking for my wife (Laughter)

ASIANCE: And how is your online store www.attic2zoo.com?

Justin: It’s been going good. I’ve been lucky enough where our store is not losing money, which is a good thing,

ASIANCE: So, getting into Crossing Over, how did you feel about your role in the storyline?

Justin: The energy from my storyline was pretty intense. There is a lot of action in my storyline. I don’t come in contact with a lot of other actors in the other storyline so it’s pretty self-contained.

ASIANCE: We interviewed Summer Bishil a while back for her role in Towelhead and she is so sweet! Was it great to work with her?

Justin: Yeah! I didn’t get a chance to act with her but I’ve met her and she is a wonderful girl. She is a very cool, bright young actress and she is very talented. We didn’t have a lot of contact because like I mentioned, the storylines are so self-contained.

ASIANCE: How was it to work with Wayne Kramer as the director of the film?

Justin: He’s a wonderful, wonderful director. He lets you explore, he’s open to suggestions. It’s a very collaborative process and he is definitely very specific and has a vision that is very refreshing with directors who know exactly what they want.

ASIANCE: Does he know the subject matter well, being an immigrant himself from South Africa?

Justin: Yes I believe so. I think a lot for it is stuff he went through.

ASIANCE: Is the film unique in its story or kind of similar to movies such as “Traffic” or “Crash”, particulaly since it is set in L.A.?

Justin: Yeah, you know there are so many different storylines and it doesn’t have to do with just border crossing. It has to do with everything, you know, deportation, naturalization, getting a green card, for different aspects of immigrations. It’s nothing like Traffic. Wayne is very sympathetic to the whole process because he knows what it is like to do the whole process of naturalization and I think it is a very good thing he is doing and it is going to open a lot of people’s eyes.

ASIANCE: In the preview clip there is a scene of you and a gun…dangerous! Have you shot before?

Justin: Yeah, when I was young I used to go to the shooting range with my dad.

ASIANCE: Oh cool! So do you think the story also affects you personally since you are from the L.A. area and notice the real life stories of immigration?

Justin: Of course yeah. I’ve seen these people and in a way, I feel like I know these people personally. You see people every day but don’t think about what they go through to live in this country. I’m very sympathetic and now in tune with the whole immigration thing. My parents immigrated and I didn’t know so much about what they went through but after the movie I really appreciate it.

ASIANCE: So what are your expectations for the film release?

Justin: I have not even seen the movie yet. I have no idea what the outcome will be so I’m just as excited as you are. But I will say it is a very important movie that sheds light on a very pertinent subject matter in the US because all of us are immigrants in the country and it’s definitely a film worth watching. It takes a lot to be a citizen of this country and we shouldn’t take it for granted and be thankful to live in the US.

ASIANCE: So what are the expectations for the film release afterparty?

Justin: We’re just going to go watch the movie, see how it is and you know, just celebrate the completion of the movie! I don’t know if I’ll really be partying much because I don’t drink or smoke so I’ll be going home early.

ASIANCE: That’s so cool of you. Well, it was so amazing to speak with you again and get some info about Crossing Over! Is there anything more we should know?

Justin: Awesome. Yeah, I’m sorry if I couldn’t answer all the questions thoroughly since I’m out at lunch with my friend. I think that’s it. I think that covers just about everything.

ASIANCE: Thank you soo much!

Justin: Awesome,.. Yeah, no, thank you! Anytime I do a movie we can do an interview, ok?

Our Twilight article with Justin Chon

Photo credit to Nolan Dean