By Kate Rodger
The Flight of the Conchords are set to storm stages across New Zealand on their first tour in years, but the dynamic duo aren't content with that.
They've both got burgeoning movie careers and in just a few weeks, Jemaine Clement's Hollywood big hitter Men in Black III opens.
“The first day we put the make-up on it took 8 hours,” says Clement. “So, before you even start your work day. You've already had what most people think is a work day.”
Clement plays Boris the Animal, chief badass alien in the third Men in Black movie.
This is the first eyeful we've had of what he looks like and as the man says, looking this badass takes time.
“I have to get up around 3am and come in half asleep or even completely asleep as they're gluing things and spraying things onto my face.”
Barry Sonnenfeld directed all the Men in Black movies and is a big fan of Clement. The only issue he had was understanding a single word he said.
“He speaks with a very specific New Zealand accent,” says Sonnenfeld. “I literally could not understand a single word he said. So I got him to speak to me only in a British accent, which he can do very well. That way I could understand him.”
This funny accent we New Zealanders have was just all a bit much for Sonnenfeld, but Clement was still his one and only choice for the role.
“I loved him in Flight of the Conchords, although nothing about that said he should be the villain in my movie. I loved him in Dinner For Schmucks, and that was produced by Walter Parks who also produced Men in Black III. He said I should meet Jemaine and I did and I thought he was fantastic. He’s got a phenomenal voice, it’s very deep. He’s very funny and I knew he would be able to bring something extra to the character.
Back in black is Will Smith, joined this time by fellow Oscar nominee Josh Brolin. Brolin also rates Clement as a huge talent, although he did uncover one of his weaknesses.
“He’s amazing,” says Brolin. “He’s great to work with. He is a little afraid of heights though.”
That fear hasn’t stopped Clement's continued ascent up the Hollywood ladder and you can see him leap up this latest rung when Men in Black III hits our cinemas May 24.
3 News