We caught up with Johnny to get his answers to a few questions about his recent role on CW's The 100, as well as some questions his fans have submitted.
Can you talk about landing the role of "Cage Wallace" on The 100?
I landed the role by way of offer. Jason Rothenberg wanted Cage to be a multi-level/multi-faceted character that was anything but archvillain. So Jason was familiar with my work and thought I could bring him to life. I was very attracted to this Cage character due to this challenge. it is tough at times due to the actions he takes. He's conflicted and that duality in any character interest me.
How would you briefly describe your process (on becoming Cage)?
It's tough to say because every character is different in the approach of discovery. For cage I would have to say that it was a lot of rationalization for what was right for the "greater good".
Can you talk about some of the challenges in filming?
Often Jason and the writers would be under the gun and working on a script/scene up until the night before we were to shoot it… Fine-tuning it. Nevertheless, this would make it hard to work on the scene in a traditional way. Memorizing lines, figuring out your beats etc.. And figuring out how to be relaxed in that kind of scenario was a little bit of a challenge but I welcomed it. It's not easy to create an entire world and then tell an interesting story within it. I think what Jason and those guys do is amazing.
What was your experience with co-workers on the show?
I love working with Raymond J Barry. As well as everyone on the show especially the crew. The best!
What are your thoughts on your character’s personality? Strengths? Weaknesses? If he’s really a bad guy, can he be redeemed or is he just misunderstood?
He's got one driving purpose… That is to do what's best for his people.
Did you go to acting school or have any other professional training?
I've done various workshops in my early journey. I've studied Strasburg, Adler and Misner. I've read too many books to list by teachers, actors, directors, but currently carrying around "ACTING" right Terry Schreiber. I've been doing this for a little while so I would say I've learned, while I earned. Acting is a craft and can never be perfected; learning about oneself and the relation to world they live in ..is the ongoing study.
Who’s your favorite actor, who inspires you?
Wow! Too many to list. I've been inspired by so many for different reasons. But if I had to pick one… I would pick three: Gary Oldman, Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep.
Any personal ambitions yet unattained? Directing? Producing? Writing?
There are so many but I would like to see directing, producing and writing in my future.
Are there any new projects you’re working on that you can talk about?
Yes, I recently finished a film called "Bad Hurt" with Theo Rossi, Karen Allen and Michael Harney. It's a family drama set in Staten Island, New York in the late 90's. I play Kent Kendall, a cold war veteran who is suffering from PTSD and what they call "Gulf War syndrome".The story centers around the Kendall family and the subsequent tragedies brought on by two generations of war.
What’s the hardest role you’ve ever played, and why?
I would have to say Kent Kendall in "Bad Hurt". The physicality of that character and vulnerability was a difficult thing to embark on. Also Donnie Ray Black in "the Rainmaker" was a hard guy to possess for similar reasons.
What’s the most fun role you've ever played, and why?
AJ in "Empire records" was fun. We had a great time on that one. Everyone was young and Allan Moyle wanted it to be a free and creative atmosphere. There was lots of playtime ;-)
What’s your dream role?
I don't know… I've always wanted to explore Charlie Manson in the right project with a great director.
What’s your advice to aspiring actors?
If you can be happy doing anything else, then do that.
If not an acting, what else would you be doing with your life right now?
Nothing else would make me happy or I would be doing that. But maybe A psychologist.
Give us an interesting fact about yourself.
I believe in God. :-)
I landed the role by way of offer. Jason Rothenberg wanted Cage to be a multi-level/multi-faceted character that was anything but archvillain. So Jason was familiar with my work and thought I could bring him to life. I was very attracted to this Cage character due to this challenge. it is tough at times due to the actions he takes. He's conflicted and that duality in any character interest me.
How would you briefly describe your process (on becoming Cage)?
It's tough to say because every character is different in the approach of discovery. For cage I would have to say that it was a lot of rationalization for what was right for the "greater good".
Can you talk about some of the challenges in filming?
Often Jason and the writers would be under the gun and working on a script/scene up until the night before we were to shoot it… Fine-tuning it. Nevertheless, this would make it hard to work on the scene in a traditional way. Memorizing lines, figuring out your beats etc.. And figuring out how to be relaxed in that kind of scenario was a little bit of a challenge but I welcomed it. It's not easy to create an entire world and then tell an interesting story within it. I think what Jason and those guys do is amazing.
What was your experience with co-workers on the show?
I love working with Raymond J Barry. As well as everyone on the show especially the crew. The best!
What are your thoughts on your character’s personality? Strengths? Weaknesses? If he’s really a bad guy, can he be redeemed or is he just misunderstood?
He's got one driving purpose… That is to do what's best for his people.
Did you go to acting school or have any other professional training?
I've done various workshops in my early journey. I've studied Strasburg, Adler and Misner. I've read too many books to list by teachers, actors, directors, but currently carrying around "ACTING" right Terry Schreiber. I've been doing this for a little while so I would say I've learned, while I earned. Acting is a craft and can never be perfected; learning about oneself and the relation to world they live in ..is the ongoing study.
Who’s your favorite actor, who inspires you?
Wow! Too many to list. I've been inspired by so many for different reasons. But if I had to pick one… I would pick three: Gary Oldman, Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep.
Any personal ambitions yet unattained? Directing? Producing? Writing?
There are so many but I would like to see directing, producing and writing in my future.
Are there any new projects you’re working on that you can talk about?
Yes, I recently finished a film called "Bad Hurt" with Theo Rossi, Karen Allen and Michael Harney. It's a family drama set in Staten Island, New York in the late 90's. I play Kent Kendall, a cold war veteran who is suffering from PTSD and what they call "Gulf War syndrome".The story centers around the Kendall family and the subsequent tragedies brought on by two generations of war.
What’s the hardest role you’ve ever played, and why?
I would have to say Kent Kendall in "Bad Hurt". The physicality of that character and vulnerability was a difficult thing to embark on. Also Donnie Ray Black in "the Rainmaker" was a hard guy to possess for similar reasons.
What’s the most fun role you've ever played, and why?
AJ in "Empire records" was fun. We had a great time on that one. Everyone was young and Allan Moyle wanted it to be a free and creative atmosphere. There was lots of playtime ;-)
What’s your dream role?
I don't know… I've always wanted to explore Charlie Manson in the right project with a great director.
What’s your advice to aspiring actors?
If you can be happy doing anything else, then do that.
If not an acting, what else would you be doing with your life right now?
Nothing else would make me happy or I would be doing that. But maybe A psychologist.
Give us an interesting fact about yourself.
I believe in God. :-)