John Goodman, known for his varied roles across decades, recently described the set of a 2014 film as the most enjoyable movie-making experience of his career. The actor, who has built a respected and diverse filmography, shared these reflections while discussing his upcoming projects and career highlights.
Two Sides of John Goodman’s Career
John Goodman’s career presents two distinct images: the burly 1980s version best remembered for playing the father on the TV show Roseanne and roles like the live-action Flintstones dad, and the slimmer, more serious actor of recent years, known for films such as Inside Llewyn Davis and 10 Cloverfield Lane. Over the past four decades, Goodman has taken on a wide range of roles spanning genres like sci-fi, musicals, and comedy, establishing himself as a versatile presence in Hollywood.
Memorable Moments on the Set of The Monuments Men
Among Goodman’s extensive filmography, one experience stands out. He recalled the cast and atmosphere during the making of the 2014 war movie The Monuments Men, directed by George Clooney, where Goodman found unprecedented fun on set. The film featured an impressive ensemble including Cate Blanchett, Clooney himself, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, and Goodman, portraying a team tasked with saving art stolen by the Nazis in World War II.
Despite receiving mixed critical reviews and earning $150 million worldwide, the movie was especially meaningful to Goodman. He told Garden & Gun shortly after filming,
“It’s pretty much the most fun I ever had making a movie.”
He praised Clooney’s direction, saying,
“George is so organized and he knows exactly what he wants. So he gets set up and boom, we get done, wait for another setup, and sit around and swap lies and tell stories and just generally laugh our asses off.”
Goodman also highlighted Bill Murray’s presence on set, commenting,
“Funnier. And he’s so generous. He’d go up and hug everybody, from the people that made the coffee to the camera guys.”
This camaraderie behind the scenes left a lasting impression on the actor, marking the project as a joyful highlight in his career.
Upcoming Films and Continued Career Momentum
Looking ahead, Goodman has major roles lined up, including the film Digger, directed by Oscar favorite Alejandro González Iñárritu, where he stars alongside Tom Cruise. Another anticipated project is Chili Finger, co-starring Bryan Cranston, which follows a lawyer who discovers a human finger in her food and uses it to blackmail the restaurant. These films could raise Goodman’s profile for industry awards, an accolade his long career has only lightly touched with one Emmy and a Golden Globe.
Fan Hopes for a Return to Pixar
John Goodman remains connected to his Pixar legacy through his voice role as Sully in Monsters Inc and its prequel Monsters University. Although he reprised this character in the short film Monsters Funday Football last year, there are currently no firm plans for Monsters Inc 3, despite growing fan interest. It has now been 13 years since Monsters University, and many hope Goodman will return to this iconic role.
With a career spanning over 44 years, Goodman continues to bring depth and warmth to a wide variety of roles, demonstrating his staying power and appeal in the entertainment industry. His reflections on the fun he experienced during The Monuments Men provide insight into the joy behind the craft, while his upcoming projects show he remains a determined and sought-after actor for diverse roles.
