Sam Rockwell, known for his roles in Moon and The White Lotus, opens up about the difficult experience of filming the action-packed time-travel comedy Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die, which is set to hit cinemas on February 20th. Discussing the film’s chaotic mix of sci-fi and dark humor, Rockwell shares why this project, despite its energetic and original concept, was especially challenging for him during production in Cape Town.
A Unique Blend of Action, Comedy, and Social Commentary
Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die is described by Rockwell as a “Black Mirror on steroids,” combining elements of wild sci-fi, horror, and satirical humor. The film stars Rockwell as the “Man From The Future,” who arrives in an L.A. diner with a desperate message aimed at saving humanity from the threats posed by artificial intelligence and the addictive hold of smartphones. The poster, filled with rats, robots, creepy dolls, and even a menacing cat and hamburger, visually captures this film’s offbeat and chaotic tone.
Director Gore Verbinski emphasizes the urgent need to reconsider how people interact with social media, stating,
“Every time you engage in social media, it’s evaluating you as a brand. It’s f****d up.”
Rockwell explains that, while he avoids platforms like Instagram, he still gets occasional TikToks from friends and tries to be mindful about texting in public.
“I try to go to the side and not walk while I text,”
he confesses, adding,
“I’m a pretty good texter. My Gif game is strong. I got a good, strong Gif game.”
Rockwell’s Role and Ensemble Cast
Though often known as a supporting actor rather than a lead, Rockwell takes a central role in Good Luck… as a frantic, prophetic figure who repeatedly delivers an urgent speech to the diner’s patrons. The story follows his character’s attempts to choose the right group, including actors Asim Chaudhry from People Just Do Nothing, Zazie Beetz known for Joker, and Juno Temple from Ted Lasso, in order to navigate a series of obstacles to save the world.
The actor modestly describes the film as an ensemble piece, saying,
“I’m the wrangler of the piece. But it’s everyone’s piece.”
Reflecting on the film’s group dynamic, he says,
“I think everyone has their moment,”
gesturing towards the chaotic poster artwork in the Berlin hotel room during our interview.
Physical Challenges of Wearing the Heavy Suit
One of the greatest hardships for Rockwell during filming was the 40-pound suit he had to wear throughout the shoot in South Africa.
“I was so miserable…I’d have to sit most of the days because it was so heavy,”
he admits. Rockwell describes the suit as a “low budget version,” noting that it was far from something Tom Cruise might have worn in a similar action role.
Verbinski praised Rockwell’s perseverance in these tough conditions:
“I’ve got to work with Michael Caine, Chris Walken, Gene Hackman, Johnny Depp…I’ve worked with some amazing actors. And now I get to say I’ve worked with Sam Rockwell…he does the f*****g work.”
The suit’s weight wasn’t the only obstacle; illness plagued the production, leading the cast to jokingly nickname the film
“Good luck. Have fun. Don’t diarrhoea.”
Medics distributed pills intended to help with digestive issues, but Rockwell grimaces as he recalls,
“If you took the pill, it would dry you up for a week. I’d rather have the runs in that suit, man.”
Exploring Political Messages and AI Concerns
Amid its quirky, surreal style, Good Luck… also delivers a serious political statement. The film imagines a tech company that clones children who were victims of school shootings, highlighting ongoing issues in the United States. Rockwell reflects on this message thoughtfully:
“It is a political message, I suppose. I’m not political, but yeah…one school shooting is too many, that’s the bottom line. And we’re having way too much of that in the States.”
The dangers of artificial intelligence also factor heavily into the film’s themes. Verbinski warns about AI’s potential impact on creativity and filmmaking, predicting,
“It’s Wednesday night. I want to see The Godfather, as if it was directed by Chris Nolan…with talking frogs.”
He explains that AI will soon be capable of generating such complex mashups and that its development is unstoppable. However, he notes,
“AI simply regurgitates old ideas. And as a director, we’re desperately trying not to repeat ourselves, right?”
Despite his own history directing multiple Pirates of the Caribbean films, Verbinski underlines the desire among filmmakers to keep creating fresh stories.
Concerns About the Future and Moviegoing Experience
Rockwell, embodying a typically laid-back West Coast demeanor but sounding genuinely concerned, acknowledges the uncertainty of the future with a simple,
“Maybe. Maybe. Maybe. It could go south.”
His comment reflects a mix of apprehension and realism about where technology and society might be headed.
Regarding the state of the film industry, Rockwell remains cautiously optimistic about the survival of big-screen movies in the streaming era. He points to successful pandemic releases like James Bond’s No Time To Die and Top Gun as hopeful signs that audiences will return to theaters.
“So I have hope for that,”
he says,
“I mean, I don’t know about little independent movies.”
As an actor who has earned acclaim for independent films—including his Oscar-winning performance in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and his upcoming collaboration with director Martin McDonagh on the CIA comedy-drama Wild Horse Nine—Rockwell appreciates indie work but values the unique experience of watching a film like Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die in a darkened theater.
“A dark theatre, with popcorn…it’s great,”
he says. “Even if it’s empty.”
Ultimately, Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die promises a wildly original, energetic ride that mixes humor with urgent social commentary, delivered through Rockwell’s frenetic performance and a talented ensemble cast. Its blend of action, time travel, and timely themes sets it apart as a daring film in today’s cinema landscape.
