Popcorn With Peter Travers Season 8 Episode 61 Steve Carell Talks the Making of 'The Big Short'

Steve Carell, the famous American actor, has made a great name for himself in the entertainment industry with his phenomenal performances in various movies and TV shows. In this episode of Popcorn with Peter Travers, he talks about his latest film, 'The Big Short'.

As the name suggests, the movie is all about the big short, the financial term that refers to betting against the housing market in the mid-2000s. Carell plays the role of Mark Baum, a hedge fund manager who decided to bet against the housing market before the 2008 crash, despite the skepticism of his team.

The movie is based on real-life events and is adapted from the book of the same name by Michael Lewis. Carell discusses with Peter Travers how the movie came to fruition and how the cast and crew managed to bring the intricate financial concepts to the big screen.

Carell also shares his experience of working with director Adam McKay and the rest of the cast, which includes heavyweights like Brad Pitt, Ryan Gosling, and Christian Bale, among others. He talks about the challenges of portraying a real-life character and how he approached the role from a different perspective compared to his previous comedic performances.

'The Big Short' was met with critical acclaim upon its release, and Carell's performance received particular praise from critics. He talks about the research he did to prepare for the role, including meeting with Mark Baum himself and studying the language and mannerisms of financial professionals.

Peter Travers also delves into Carell's career and how he went from being a correspondent on "The Daily Show" to one of the most versatile actors in Hollywood today. Carell talks about his early acting days and how he honed his craft before breaking out with roles like Michael Scott on "The Office" and "40-Year-Old Virgin".

Towards the end of the episode, Carell talks about the impact of 'The Big Short' and how it sheds light on the excesses of the financial industry that led to the housing market crash. He talks about the responsibility of filmmakers to bring real-life issues to the screen and how entertainment can serve as a medium for social commentary.

Overall, this episode of Popcorn with Peter Travers is a fascinating insight into one of the most critically acclaimed movies of recent times, and the talented actor who played a pivotal role in its success. Carell's candid and thoughtful discussions make it a must-watch for any fan of his work or the movie itself.