Michael Cera, during the promotional circuit for Wes Anderson’s new film, The Phoenician Scheme, recounted an awkward introduction with actor Jackie Chan, describing it as both surreal and amusing. The encounter took place recently in London, adding a distinct memory to Cera’s ongoing experiences in the entertainment industry and offering fresh insight into his parallel passion for music.
An Unexpected Introduction in London’s Radio Studios
While in London promoting The Phoenician Scheme, Cera crossed paths with Jackie Chan at BBC Radio 2, just as Chan was preparing for an interview about his new movie, The Karate Kid: Legends. Cera’s meeting with Chan was entirely unplanned, initiated by a photographer who suggested he seize the opportunity to say hello to the Hollywood icon.
“She asked if I knew Jackie Chan, which I don’t, so she said ‘come meet him’. That was that,”
—Michael Cera
Cera described the meeting as awkward, explaining that Jackie Chan seemed perplexed by his presence, perhaps mistaking him for a prize winner rather than a fellow actor. Despite the confusion, the exchange remained good-natured, although Cera admitted feeling like he had disrupted Chan’s quiet moment before his radio slot.
“When I met him though, he was like ‘who is this person, what’s going on?’. We took a picture but I think he thought I was a competition winner. He was like, ‘OK let’s do a picture real quick. Come on.’ Not rudely. But I felt like I was invading his little personal time with his team before he goes on the radio. So I was like, ‘What am I doing here?’ But everyone was very sweet and I got to meet Jackie.”
—Michael Cera
The Beatles’ Influence and Music in Everyday Life
Music continues to be a significant part of Michael Cera’s life. He revealed his deep appreciation for The Beatles, citing their 1965 album Rubber Soul as pivotal in shaping his musical tastes. Cera recounted initially being indifferent toward the legendary band, but as a teenager, he found himself captivated by their music.
“I grew up thinking The Beatles were pretty whatever. I didn’t care. But when I was 18, I gave them a proper listen. I started with ‘Rubber Soul’ and I remember from that first track [‘Drive Me Car’] being like ‘whoa’. It’s still my favourite Beatles album to this day and I love it.”
—Michael Cera
Cera has never met any members of The Beatles, describing the prospect as both appealing and intimidating, concerned he would have nothing new to offer them given their global fame.
“It would be cool but also strange. I don’t know what I’d say [if I did meet them]. It would be weird to say anything. They’d be so bored by whatever I had to say, because they’ve heard it eight billion times from every other person on the planet. It must be hard to be a Beatle.”
—Michael Cera
Music-Filled Evenings During The Phoenician Scheme Filming
Behind the scenes of The Phoenician Scheme, Michael Cera found ways to foster a musical community among the film’s cast and crew. He arranged for an electric piano to be placed in the hotel lobby where everyone was staying, leading to spontaneous music nights led by actor John Patrick Walter. These gatherings turned into regular sing-alongs, often featuring Beatles songs and creating a lively atmosphere for everyone involved.
“I wanted there to be some musical atmosphere. We had some good music nights together,”
—Michael Cera
Cera praised Walter’s ability to bring people together through song, though admitted that not every moment was perfectly timed with the film’s production schedule. Director Wes Anderson’s editing sessions sometimes necessitated quieter evenings, creating a playful balance between work and relaxation.
“He’s amazing. It’s hard to get that sing-along vibe going by yourself. However Wes’ editing suite was on the other side of the wall and occasionally someone would come out while he was working and tell us ‘no music right now’.”
—Michael Cera
Reigniting His Own Musical Ambitions Amid New Responsibilities
The communal hotel jam sessions left an impression on Cera, reigniting his own urge to create music. Though he has contributed bass and vocals to projects like Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, collaborated with bands such as Weezer and Mister Heavenly, and released solo work like his 2014 album True That, Cera has found less time for songwriting in recent years, especially since the release of Best I Can in 2017.
“I haven’t really been creating any music recently,”
—Michael Cera
Balancing new responsibilities as a parent, Cera admitted that time and focus for personal music projects are currently limited, despite playing music daily. He remains hopeful about returning to more dedicated songwriting and recording when his schedule permits.
“I play music every day but I have little kids now, so I just don’t have time or focus to do anything productive in that way. I hope to again though. Normally [everything I make] is for a specific project or has a specific intention but it’s just my time management [right now].”
—Michael Cera
Reflecting on his past musical pursuits, Cera has long regarded music as a personal hobby without the pressure of industry expectations, expressing optimism that he might one day share new material with fans.
“I’m always working on music but it’s more of a hobby of mine. I don’t really have any desire or ambition to have a career in music, which means there’s no pressure behind it. But hopefully it will yield [another] collection of something that I feel is good enough to share.”
—Michael Cera
The Ongoing Journey: Balancing Acting, Music, and Family
Michael Cera’s reflections capture the nuanced challenge of balancing creative ambitions with evolving priorities, as he moves between film sets and musical gatherings. His meeting with Jackie Chan, attachment to The Beatles, and ongoing passion for music all showcase a personal journey marked by curiosity and a willingness to embrace awkward, surprising, or joyful moments. As The Phoenician Scheme debuts in cinemas, fans of Cera and Wes Anderson can look forward to more stories and perhaps, in time, new music from the multi-faceted actor.
