The Mickey Mouse Club, an American variety show featuring an ever-changing cast of teens, has proved to be something of a hothouse for young superstars.
Among those donning the mouse ears back in the late 80s/early 90s were singers Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears and N’ Sync’s JC Chasez, and actors Keri Russell, from Mission Impossible, and the Academy Award-nominee Ryan Gosling.
Comfortable straddling both camps is Justin Timberlake, the boy-band member turned solo artist who, unlike Christina (Burlesque) and ex-girlfriend Britney (Crossroads), has made a convincing transition from singer to film actor.
He also seems to be rivalling the prolific Ryan in terms of output this year as both have had three projects released.
Having appeared as a nerdy supply tutor in Bad Teacher and an advocate of no strings sex in Friends With Benefits, Justin’s latest is In Time. He describes it as his most personal role to date.
“I do identify with this character, Will,” he says. “I come from a blue collar neighbourhood outside Memphis, Tennessee, where people work hard for the things they earn. “When we meet Will at the start he doesn’t have much at all and he values the simple things in life.”
For Will, every moment really is precious as longevity has become a luxury only enjoyed by the rich.
An unjust form of population control has resulted in time becoming currency. People stop ageing at 25. From then on the poor have to buy, beg or borrow minutes and hours to stay alive while the wealthy have enough to live forever.
In that world Justin, who turned 30 this year, would be one of the money and time-rich elite. However, he says he has no interest immortality.
“The idea is actually frightening, especially because I look back at my younger days as a lot of visual mishaps. It’s definitely a mind trip getting into the idea that it could exist as we see it in the film.
“I’m happy about getting older. I like myself much more at 30 than I did when I was 25. You accept things more and become more patient.”
The role proved to be physically taxing as Will is forced to go on the run, with spoilt rich girl Sylvia (Amanda Seyfried) in tow, after he is falsely accused of murder.
“I enjoy training. It is important to stay healthy in my profession,” says Justin.
“I think it’s a requirement to be able to change your body in order to play a character and also to build up the stamina to go on tour for 18 months You don’t want to make a big deal about it. I lost 15 pounds to play Sean Parker in The Social Network and I was able to do that without starving myself because I was already fit. I could do it in a healthy way.
“Both performing on stage and acting are very physical. You are required to externalize so many emotions. Playing a concert on stage is really theatre.”
