Will Shadley, who plays the part of Ian in The Spy Next Door, talks about why he loves acting and what it's really like working with Jackie Chan.


Tell us a little about yourself, Will.

I was born in Winter Park, Florida on October 6, 1999.  I have an 18-year-old sister named Sydney.

How did you get started in show business?

When I was six I did a play called The Christmas Carol – I played Tiny Tim - and that’s when I first began to like acting.

What did you like about acting?

It was fun working with the cast, it’s just an amazing feeling.

Was the character of Tiny Tim anything like you as a person or was he completely different?

He wasn’t like me. First of all, I don’t walk with a crutch and his character was just different from me.

Did you have to use a British accent for the part?

No, not really. Tiny Tim is really young and so….well, it wasn’t necessary really.

What’s your favorite thing about acting?

Well, I like playing the part of someone I’m not and I really like the people that I work with.

You’ve played several characters so far in your career. Which was your favorite?

I like Ian a lot (The Spy Next Door) . He’s really a funny character, he’s…..[pauses]

Is he like you?

Not really too much, but you can see some resemblances.


How is he different from you?

Hmm….well, he’s very neat; tucks in his shirt…he’s kinda geeky, that sort of stuff.

If you could play any character in the world - - a child character - - what would you want to play?

I would have to say that I would like to play someone who is……six foot three!  [Laughs].  No….actually I would like to play a character who was very mischievous but who was still very nice.

Tell us about the first time you met Jackie. How did you feel when you first met him?

I could tell he was a nice guy. 


Were you familiar with Jackie’s movies when you met him?

Yeah, I’d seen a couple of them like Rush Hour. I really liked Rush Hour.

What did you like best about Jackie's movies?

I liked his stunts. They were really amazing.

You’ve spent two months with Jackie so far. Tell us what your favorite times with him are. Is it most fun being on the set, hanging out, having dinner?

Jackie’s fun no matter where I am with him, but I really like being on the set with him.  It’s a really fun environment and Jackie’s so nice…everyone is.


You know, in China, Jackie is known as “Big Brother.”  Do you think he treats you like a big brother would?

I don’t know….I think we’re more like friends. I think Jackie’s a really nice guy.

Let’s talk about the future…

I can’t read the future. [Laughs]

Well you’d make a lot of money if you could!  So do you want to keep acting?

Yeah, I’d love to keep acting. Working with everyone is such a great experience and being in all these different environments, getting to travel all over the world is just really fun.

So that’s what you think you’ll want to do when you grow up?

Si!

Oh, so you speak Spanish!  I know that you learned some Chinese on the set. What does “xiao xin” mean?

“Be careful!”

Correct! So tell us, is acting hard work?

Well, there are definitely parts that are hard, but it’s always fun.

What’s the hardest part?

Memorizing lines. But when you get on the set, it’s just so much fun.


Sometimes you have to get up really early in the morning or work at night. That’s okay with you?

Yes!

When you’re not working, what do you like to do?

I like to do a bunch of different things. I like to play basketball,  play video games, read,  and draw sometimes.

Do you have any hobbies?

I like to eat. [Laughs]


So what about school? Do you go to a regular school?

No, I go to a home school called CAVA (California Virtual Academies).

Is that what you do when you’re on the set?

I have a set teacher; his name’s Pat Jackson. He helps me with the lessons.

What about friends?  Do you have friends back home?

Yeah, I do. When my friend Liam heard about this movie, he got so excited because he’s a huge Jackie Chan fan.  He met Jackie when he flew out to spend his birthday here on the set.


Who’s your favorite actor?

Will Shadley. [Laughs]

Of course! That goes without saying. Okay, who’s your second favorite actor?  Who else do you like?

I like a lot of other actors. Will Smith – I’ve never worked with him, but I like a lot of his movies. Obviously I like Jackie. There are a lot of really great actors.


What types of movies are your favorites?

I like adventures because they really get the audience’s attention.

Do you like music?

Not really.

We heard a rumor that you don't really like Chinese food. Do you like it?

Of course!

What’s your favorite Chinese food?

White rice! [Laughs]

What do you think of New Mexico?

It’s amazing!  Right now it’s snowing here and I’ve never seen snow before, so it’s awesome.

You’ve also been to Santa Fe. Do you like it there?

It’s so cool; they have great restaurants and so many things to see.


Try to imagine when you’re all grown up. You know how some actors are all full of themselves or snobby? What’s going to prevent you from ever becoming like that?

My Mom and my Dad.  And I’ll always try to keep boundaries on myself.

Do your friends treat you any differently because you’re in the acting profession?

No, not really. I have a lot of friends from before I became an actor.

You recently finished up a role on the television series Dirty Sexy Money. Besides The Spy Next Door, what other projects are you working on?

Well, I play the voice of Gorgonzola on the cartoon Chowder sometimes.

Any final words?

I hope Jackie calls me when he comes to L.A.!

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