For a young man under 16, Gotham star David Mazouz is wise beyond his years. That might have something to do with the actors he works with on a daily basis, going up against folks like Sean Pertwee and James Frain. Mazouz’s experience in holding his own against these pedigree actors , while simultaneously leading other young performers, makes him a unique person to talk to. He has thoughtful answers to each question, and is more likely to look up and inward than to his mother or another actor on set. His fandom of the Batman mythos is palpable, and his love of this unique job for a young teenager exudes with his every smile and laugh.
Videos by ComicBook.com
During a set visit on the Gotham Season 2 soundstages in Brooklyn, NY, ComicBook.com spoke with Mazouz on the newest set for the series, the mysterious office that sits under Wayne Manor and once belonged to Thomas Wayne, Bruce’s father. We talked about surprises, things to come in Season 2, and who he’d most like to see Bruce clash with in upcoming episodes.
David, getting to chat in this new set here, Thomas Wayne’s hidden underground office, this is pretty cool, huh? What was it like to step onto this set, which is so full of mythos, for the first time?
David Mazouz: It’s magnificent; it really is breathtaking. Everybody that walks onto this set has the same reaction. You walk onto this set and it’s really mind blowing!
What do you feel you learned from Season 1 that you’re most able to bring to Season 2?
DM: I think over the year I just kind of learned who Bruce was: his weaknesses, his strengths, the things that he likes to do, the things he doesn’t – I really got to know who Bruce Wayne is. With that knowledge, I’m able to bring a whole new approach to season 2. That approach is that I think Bruce in season 1 was very honest, and very straight-forward, whereas in season 2 he learns that you can’t be that way in Gotham. (laughs) There’s a game you have to play. It’s a game of manipulation, a game of corruption, and Bruce is going to start to play it.
That’s a harsh lesson for a young orphan to have to learn!
DM: Yeah, well he’s not just a young orphan (laughs) – as some people may know.
You really interacted with a fairly small core of characters throughout Season 1. What’s it like getting to interact with some more of the denizens of Gotham City, especially some of the more nefarious newcomers here?
DM: It’s been incredible! I think last year, I worked with about four, or something ridiculous, out of the fourteen regular cast members. So it’s really nice to get to know – I know everybody so well [as actors] because I see them everywhere, but I don’t know their characters, because I don’t get to see them in person.
I remember one day we did a scene last year, later in the season, and Bruce was walking into a gun range, and Penguin was walking by right behind him – we didn’t actually talk or anything, it’s just one of those crossing by moments. But it was the first time I’d seen his waddle in person. I’d never seen it before, and this was like episode 20! I remember thinking, “Wow, I haven’t seen that!” I realized it when I did.
So it’s really nice being able to interact with more of them as Bruce, and learn their characters more.
What’s something that’s still surprising you, when you’re on set, now that you’re five or six episodes into season 2?
DM: I think, how much more there is to learn about Bruce, and the locations, and Alfred. Our work is not done. It’s still constantly going, and we’ll never be done until we’re done.
Who would you like to see Bruce meet as Season 2 rolls on?
DM: I’d like for Bruce to have a friend! Just somebody his age, who’s a boy, who he can talk to. He doesn’t really have any friends his age, except for these girls who are trying to manipulate him.
Are you excited to see Mazouz return as Bruce Wayne? Let us know in the comments!
Gotham Season Two premieres September 21, 2015 at 8:00 p.m. on FOX
Related Posts
-
20th Television Animation
