10 Questions for Jeff Bridges

The Oscar-winning actor stars in TRON: Legacy and True Grit . Jeff Bridges will now take your questions

By Jeff Bridges Monday, Jan. 10, 2011
    • Rune Hellestad / Corbis

    How does it feel to be back in the TRON universe after some 20 years? — Denice Barnes, CHICAGO
    Wow. It's 28 years, actually. In a way, it seems like we had a long weekend and just got back to work, because Steve Lisberger, who wrote and directed the first one, was on set all the time. I think Disney was very smart to include him. In another sense, so much has changed. When we did the first one, there was no Internet, and now this movie makes that old one look like a black-and-white TV show.

    You spend much of TRON: Legacy as a younger character, thanks to CGI. What do you think about directors' using that same technology to revive deceased actors? — Wilson Vega, BOGOTÁ
    I don't know quite how I feel about that. I guess it's progress. You can't slow that thing down. I imagine they'll soon be able to — if they don't do this already — take a little De Niro, a little Brando, a little Bridges and just a drop of Julie Andrews and shake that up. It's gonna get weird.

    TRON: Legacy has a pretty unique take on a father-son relationship. Is there something in particular that your father, the late actor Lloyd Bridges, imparted to you? — Jerry LaBuy, CALEDONIA, ILL.
    Certainly all of the acting basics. The main thing I learned from him was his approach not only to his work but also to his life. He was a very joyful guy, and that joy spread when he would come on set.

    How does it feel to play the role John Wayne won an Oscar for in the original True Grit ? — Matthew Maass, DE KALB, TEXAS
    I really wasn't playing that role. One of the things I asked the Coen brothers when they asked me to come on board was why they wanted to make True Grit again. They said, The movie we're making is referring to the book by Charles Portis. We're not concerned with doing a remake of the movie. That was a relief to me because I didn't have to get into the Duke's boots.

    In light of all the remakes being produced, has Hollywood run out of ideas? — Phil Macek, BALTIMORE
    I don't think so. I think the industry has gotten a little safer, but we also have some wonderful low-budget films that aren't looking for big tent-pole business.

    You're known for taking pictures on your movie sets. Do you do that to pass the time, or are you inspired? — Josh Tregenza, BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA
    Both. I took some pictures during True Grit . I make these books of photographs as a gift for the cast and crew. It's wonderful to look back at them and remember all those great times.

    Which role pushed you the hardest? Why? — Berkay Ozkul, SEATTLE
    One that really comes to mind is Crazy Heart because music is so dear to my heart. I really wanted to make sure I didn't let that beautiful long pass drop from my hands. We had such a great script, such a great team that [writer-director] Scott Cooper brought together. I just wanted to do justice to that opportunity.

    Is there a role you've played that expresses your own personality? — Dawn Turner, MUNCIE, IND.
    Each role I play has some sort of connection to my personality, an aspect of myself that's part of creating these characters. That's one of the first things I do, is think what aspect of myself I can apply to this guy, what aspect I want to kick to the curb.

    If you weren't acting, what would you be doing? — Lorena Marks, AUSTIN
    Well, Lorena, you live in a real music town there. Gosh, I probably would be a musician. I love music. Love to play. Would love to play in Austin.

    Is it impossible for you to go bowling and not be bombarded by Big Lebowski references? — Dan Hawkins, TROY, N.Y.
    [Laughs.] I don't think I've been bowling since Lebowski. But now as I say that, I must have been bowling. Fifteen years, no bowling? A lot of people dig the Dude. I get that a lot, wherever I go.