Coming out this Valentine’s Day, “Endless Love” stars Alex Pettyfer and Gabriella Wilde in a story about young love. It is the second adaptation of Scott Spencer’s novel of the same name, the first being the 1981 film starring Brooke Shields.
Pettyfer stars as David Axelrod, a recent high school graduate and mechanic’s son with a checkered past. Axelrod is secretly and madly in love with Wilde’s character, Jade Butterfield. When they meet and he pursues her, they form a passionate relationship to the dismay of Jade’s father.
Right before Pettyfer’s meet and greet in Phipps Plaza and the screening of “Endless Love,” The Signal got the opportunity to talk about the film.
Q: In what ways do you compare or not compare to your character, David?
PETTYFER: We’re both hopeless romantics. I wouldn’t do this movie if I wasn’t. And not compare? David has a dark past.
Q: Were there any challenges that you experienced while filming the movie?
PETTYFER: Well, I’m 24 and I had to go back and mentally be 18. And when I went back to 18, there was a certain way of thinking. I almost had to take back the experiences that I’ve had so far in my life.
Q: How easy is it to put on the American accent? You’ve done it before; does it come easily to you?
PETTYFER: It didn’t at first. In “Beastly,” it was the first movie I did an American accent with. I had a dialect coach that made it very easy. It’s like riding a bike; you slowly get better. Hopefully I’m getting better.
Q: When and how did you know that you wanted to act?
PETTYFER: Films were escapism for me as a kid. I just always loved film. I didn’t know if I was going to be an actor or not. I just wanted to be a part of making movies, whether it was being a grip or a camera man.
Q: What was your favorite scene to film in the movie?
PETTYFER: I think I love the montage. We spent two days just having fun. I didn’t have to say anything. [There were] water balloon fights and swimming in the lake. Filming in the lake was interesting – there were snakes in the water. There is a scene where me and WIlde are swimming and she falls on me and I grab her tightly. I don’t think that scene is in the film anymore, but right after I kiss her, a snake swims by, and she (Wilde) grabs me so tightly I can’t breathe and I’m going under. If the scene had to be redone, I would definitely not be up for going back in that water.
Q: How did you like filming in Atlanta?
PETTYFER: I did six to eight shoot days, and when I would have a day off, I’d either sleep or go to Six Flags. I love Six Flags. So I didn’t get a chance to experience it; we filmed in all over the place, though. You should recognize some places in the film.
Q: How does this movie compare to the 1981 version?
PETTYER: Our movie is very different from the original. The original has a lust vibe to it, more than love. Jade’s relationship with David is more of an addiction. The subject matter was very controversial in the 80s where ours is much more lighthearted.
Q: How was it filming Music Midtown?
PETTYFER: It was very cool. I started a mudslide. I’m very proud of it. Some of the bands were great, some I couldn’t hear. It was raining so hard, that the sound was a bit off. My favorite song at the time was “Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons, so I snuck off to go hear them. It was a fun day.
Q: What do you think makes “Endless Love” feel like a real relationship? Do you think the audience will relate?
PETTYFER: I think because it touches on real subjects. When you’re 17 or 18, the other person is the only thing that matters to you. The obstacles that come in the way for Jade and David are family and school, etc., things that don’t feel like a stretch for their relationship.
