Alexander Gould discusses Nemo and possible sequel interest
If Alexander Gould walked past you in the street you probably wouldn’t look twice – but he is in fact the title role in Pixar’s hugely successful 2003 animation Finding Nemo, and although now 18 years of age, he looks back on the project extremely fondly, voicing one of the most iconic characters in recent time.
Finding Nemo is being re-released this coming Friday 29th March in 3D, and we were fortunate enough to attend a preview screening and witness the picture in all its glory – and it looks outstanding. Already bearing a vivacious aesthetic, the 3D elements have enhanced the visual experience, bringing depth and dimension to the under water setting, as each individual fish that swims by suddenly seems more prominent – bringing a whole new lease of life to one of the finest animations ever created.
We had the pleasure to speaking to Gould on the phone, and we discuss his experience on Nemo, it’s 3D re-release, while we hear his thoughts on a potential sequel…
It has been a decade since Finding Nemo first came out, you must look back on that whole experience very fondly?
Yeah it was a really incredible experience and I’m really glad I was a part of it. Back then I didn’t quite understand how big of a deal the movie was really going to be, and looking back on it 10 years later, it was such a huge project and such a huge deal and I’m just really happy I was able to be a part of it.
When you watch the film now, are you able to appreciate it as a great piece of cinema? Can you detach yourself from the project?
Yeah definitely now I can detach myself especially because my voice sounds so different from how it did then, but it’s still really weird to hear my voice coming out of the screen.
When you first made the film you were only 9 years old, but it really does appeal to adults and children alike – are you able to see it now in a different way? Perhaps see the father’s perspective and understand the more adult orientated themes a bit more?
Definitely, Pixar have done a really, really great job of making films that appeal to both kids and adults and it’s really incredible how they do that, and it’s still such a wonderful for me to watch. I definitely appreciate the more adult themes and motives in the film today, but it’s still just a great film to watch and I’m glad I was a part of it.
Finding Nemo is a timeless piece of cinema, is it quite exciting – or daunting – to know that this film is likely to outlive us all?
Yeah it’s definitely a timeless classic and it’s a little bit daunting, a little bit weird to think about the fact it will be around long after I’m gone and my voice will still be talking on it and people will still be hearing it.
The film is of course being re-released in 3D and I was wondering if you had had the chance to see the new version yet?
I actually haven’t yet.
So what do you expect the 3D could bring to it?
I mean it’s already a film with so much depth and dimension that I just feel like the 3D can only enhance the incredibleness that the film has.
So what are your thoughts on 3D cinema, because it seems that all big animations and blockbusters at the moment are heading in that direction…
Personally I don’t have a problem with it, but I feel like it needs to be done well and done in the correct way, and I think some releases would be just as fine without the 3D, but definitely in a film like Finding Nemo, if it’s done well, which I imagine Pixar will have done, it can definitely be fantastic and bring it to life even more.
It must be quite exciting for you now, that given its 3D re-release, the film is almost getting a new life?
Yeah definitely. My memories, even when I’m talking about it now, are interesting to think back on and to revisit what I remember from it, and yeah like you said it’s being given a new life and it’s really fascinating and it’s great that it’s still able to appeal to audiences today, ten years later, it really is a timeless film.
Do you have any defining memories from the time? Any one moment that stands out for you?
Not really, just working at Pixar animation studios in Northern California where this was made was just so much fun, and working with the director Andrew Stanton, he did such a good job of working with me and it was just a really, really, really fun experience, and I couldn’t chose any one memory that was better than any of the others.
Have you stayed in touch with many people from the time, or have you all just moved on in different ways?
I think we’ve all just moved on a little bit. I mean, at the time there was such a huge age gap between me and my co-stars that I wasn’t really given the chance to get close to them at all, and from there we’ve all just gone our separate ways and unfortunately I haven’t been able to keep in touch too much.
It must have just been such an exciting time for you though? I mean, I get excited if I go to Disney Land, nevermind being the starring role in one of the biggest animations of all time… It must have all been quite surreal?
Yeah it was. I think at the time I didn’t realise how big a deal it really was, and it was surreal in that I didn’t even expect it to blow up as much as it did and looking back on it is even more surreal to see how really huge of a project it actually was, just an incredible movie all round. It was big back then, but it has become even bigger to me now.
When actors play such notable roles so early on in their career when quite young, there is the risk they can get associated solely with that role, do you think that in your case it helps that it’s an animation, so people don’t just see you and connect you to Nemo, as it’s a voice rather than an appearance?
Yeah I agree, I think the fact it was just my voice really helps, and helps give me the ability to go on and do acting in other places and take on other roles and continue my career as a career and not just as a stereotype for one kind of role.
It must be quite empowering that when you walk down the street, people may not recognise you as such, but you’re Nemo. Especially if you see a kid with merchandise, or hear people talking about the film…
Yeah, like you said, to be part of something without everyone being all over you is great, I just stand in the background and be subtle about it, but still have that knowledge that it’s something I’ve done.
When I say you don’t get recognised that’s really only as far as Nemo is concerned, but you have of course had some great success with the TV series Weeds, that must have been a really fun experience for you as well?
Yeah it was definitely a very different experience and I was a part of the TV show for eight years and we finally finished up last summer, and after all that time every one in the cast became a family and really we just all connected together, it was a really fun to have done.
So when you finished on Finding Nemo did you think, this is what I want to do for the rest of my career, or have you had any doubts since?
I think I’ve always had an idea that this is something that was important to me and it has always been a part of my life, but even now I’m exploring other options and other fields and doing different things, but acting is always something I want to come back to, but regardless it’s always going to be something that I did for a very long time and it’s kinda who I am at this point.
So in 10 years time if you could see yourself, would you like to think you’ll still be in the industry? Still be acting and performing?
You know, I’m not exactly sure. I’m at a time where I’m just trying to explore and find out what I think is best for me and it’s possible it will be that.
There is of course talks of Finding Nemo 2 coming to fruition – is that something you know anything about? Or something you’d be interested in?
I actually haven’t heard anything about it, I mean I’ve heard the rumours of course, but it’s possible I’d be interested in it, so it just depends on what they are gonna end up doing with it. But I haven’t been told anything official, so it’s just a matter of waiting and seeing.
FINDING NEMO HITS CINEMAS IN 3D ON MARCH 29