The new film chronicles the 1984 “Press Your Luck” scandal.
“You always find really cool memories and inspiration for movies.
I was browsing, and I found a bunch of VHS tapes.
Credit:IFC Films
One of them was aPress Your Luckepisode.
I was like, ‘Oh wow, this looks really cool.
What is this?’
The real Ed Long, Michael Larson, and Janie Litras on ‘Press Your Luck’.GSN
I started researching, and then I found out about the scandal.”
“I fell in love with him because he’s such a mystery,” he adds.
That’s what drew me in.
Brian Geraghty as Ed Long and Paul Walter Hauser as Michael Larson ‘The Luckiest Man in America’.IFC Films
It forced me to venture to find out his real motivations."
He gave us a bunch of fun little details.
“We knew that he had had several failed marriages,” says Oliveros.
The real Michael Larson on ‘Press Your Luck’.GSN
“He was always looking for a way to find alternative means to accomplish his dream.
“Bill Jr. was telling us about the dynamics in the control room,” Oliveros says.
“He was telling us about how there were contestant supervisors down on the floor.
Haley Bennett in ‘The Luckiest Man in America’.IFC Films
Then, we started coming up with characters.
Bill gave us a couple of his quirks in the way that he handled his staff.
Everyone else that you see is a fabrication.”
David Strathairn as Bill Carruthers in ‘The Luckiest Man in America’.IFC Films
“I was not aware of thePress Your Luckscandal prior to reading the script,” Hauser says.
Oliveros cast Hauser off the actor’s performance onBlack Bird.
This could be a fantastic Michael,'” Oliveros says.
Walton Goggins as Peter Tomarken in ‘The Luckiest Man in America’.IFC Films
“What happened was ridiculous.
And when you see the clips, you see this guy who’s larger than life.
And [Paul] loved it.
The real Peter Tomarken on ‘Press Your Luck’.GSN
He read the script, and he was like, ‘I want to do this.’
It was meant to be.”
Both actor and director were fascinated by the push and pull of heroism and villainy in Michael’s arc.
Shamier Anderson in ‘The Luckiest Man in America’.IFC Films
“We always spoke about Michael as an onion,” Oliveros says.
“We were going to peel layers from him until we reached his emotional core.
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Johnny Knoxville in ‘The Luckiest Man in America’.IFC Films
You’ll have to watch to decide.
Check out the first-look photos below for more.
Patti Harrison as Janie Litras in ‘The Luckiest Man in America’.IFC Films
Maisie Williams in ‘The Luckiest Man in America’.IFC Films
