Kristen Stewart and Jesse Eisenberg led a bevy of stars at the red carpet world premiere of “American Ultra” at the Theatre at Ace Hotel in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday, including Topher Grace, Connie Britton, Tony Hale and John Leguizamo.
Hale described writer Max Landis‘ film, directed by Nima Nourizadeh, as something utterly unique in the summer blockbuster lineup. “It’s kind of a stoned ‘Bourne Identity,'” said Hale.
“(Eisenberg) is not like a Jean-Claude Van Damme or like a Matt Damon; he’s just this quirky kid that can all of a sudden kill somebody with a spoon.”
Landis told Variety on the red carpet that while writing the film, he wanted to shed the rules of the genre and present the audience with a quality experience.
“People going in here expecting the same old stuff are going to be very surprised and horrified by it,” he said. “It’s so important that people come out and support this… because it’s an indie made in a big way with a really big idea and that just doesn’t happen much anymore.”
Stewart was initially attracted to the script and said that she felt comfortable teaming up with her “Adventureland” co-star again.
“It was such a mishmash of genres and such, and such a strange tone I knew that I needed someone really intelligent to sort of lead the way and keep them together and cohesive,” said Stewart. “I had worked with him before and I knew that we could do something funny and sweet and kinda scary.”
Stewart and Eisenberg recently made headlines when they took on gender stereotypes in an awkward interview produced by “Funny or Die.” Eisenberg said that his sister, Hallie, gave him the idea to switch question cards during the interview where Stewart asked him if he was pregnant.
“She had just graduated from college so she was highly alerted to gender issues,” he said. “It was not only funny for us to do, but it had the added benefit of preempting bad questions before we started the press.”
The after-party was held next door at the Upstairs Bar atop the Ace Hotel. “Teen Wolf” actress Holland Roden and Taylor Lautner, who came to support his “Twilight” co-star Stewart, were among the attendees mingling around the pool and bar areas overlooking downtown. Drinks were served with comfort food that could have satisfied the munchies: mini-pizzas, quesadillas, cheeseburger sliders, ice-cream sandwiches and M&M-covered brownies.
Lionsgate releases “American Ultra” on Aug. 21.
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