Actor Anton Yelchin Talks 'The Driftless Area' DVD, Zooey Deschanel, Alia Shawkat! [INTERVIEW]

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment releases its noir/drama, The Driftless Area onto DVD. In an exclusive interview with MStars News, actor Anton Yelchin (Star Trek: Beyond) presents an exclusive clip from the movie and dishes on working with Zooey Deschanel (The New Girl) and and Alia Shawkat (Arrested Development).

As we previously mentioned, based on the novel from The End of Vandalism author Tom Drury, Pierre Hunter (Yelchin) has returned to his hometown to deal with the death of his parents. During his time of mourning and grief, Pierre finds himself falling under the spell of the enchanting and mysterious Stella (Deschanel). As his relationship with Stella deepens, Pierre finds himself in a dangerous situation with a volatile criminal, who has abruptly altered the course of Stella's life.

With The Driftless Area arriving on DVD and VOD April 26, Anton Yelchin discusses preparing for the lead role, his favorite part of the movie, and playing his scenes opposite John Hawkes (Deadwood).

MStars News: Tell me what got you hooked about your character Pierre Hunter in The Driftless Area?

Anton Yelchin: Pierre is fascinating because he is sort of, of this world, than not. I just find that's something really interesting to play with. He is sort of connected to this universal thing, simultaneously sort of, he's very earthly at the same time.

MS: Because your character is a bartender, did you prepare for your role by serving drinks?

AY: Yeah we shot at Vancouver and I ended up bartending a few weekends at a bar. I've been fortunate because I have had this job since I was a kid. I thought I should go bartend for awhile. I worked a couple weekends at a bar. It was fun! It's hard work! I have a lot of respect for the people that work in bars because it's kind of a sh*t show. You're overwhelmed and they work late. And they're the last to leave because they're cleaning up the bar.

MS: John Hawkes is such a menacing figure as Shane. Tell me about working with Hawkes.

AY: I really liked working with John. I am a huge fan of his. He is so wonderful and menacing and intense on screen but such a kind guy in person. He is so kind, funny, and a really really lovely human.

MS: This is also the debut of Zachary Sluser as a feature film director.

AY: Yeah, Zach and I sort of connected right away. He loves Tom Drury's work and he is very connected to it. He has his sort of sense of the world, which is very much in tune with this film. Obviously, it is the film that he made and he is connected to this in a particular way. If you meet Zach, it's pretty much like Zach. It's hard to put into words but the material and him are almost like one in the same in this odd and kind of interesting way.

MS: Like many people, I've mostly seen Zooey Deschanel doing comedy on The New Girl. Tell me about working with Deschanel because this is such a dramatic turn for her.

AY: Yeah, I mean it was great! Zooey is great! We had a real good time! Yeah it was a pleasure! She is so intelligent! Honestly, she has accomplished so much and brings all of that to the work place everyday. And it was fun because we were both sort of on the same page, in terms of the characters, relationship, and the kind of odd energy between their romance.

MS: With the DVD coming out April 26, what would you say is your favorite scene from the movie?

AY: I really like the scene where, John Hawkes cuts the guy with the knife. I really like John 'sscenes a lot, those are probably my favorite scenes. And I really like the scenes with Alia [Shawkat]. I had so much fun shooting those! Alia is wonderful and she is my friend. And we had a really good time! I love that relationship in the film!

MS: You've been on huge sets for like the Star Trek movies, how would you compare that to filming on location in the Midwest?

AY: To be honest, I feel like all movies have one thing in common. No matter how big the budget, no matter how much money your film has, it seems like there is never enough time and never enough money. So whether you're in the Midwest or you're on a stage somewhere or anywhere, making movies is kind of this mad effort, where it just seems like there is never enough resources to get done what you need to get done. But I don't really compare movies by size. I just sort of look at the characters and each movie ends up being this great thing. And working with a crew like this is an odd, living, breathing, fluxing ameba that you're part of.

MS: What other projects are you working on now?

AY: I have a film that actually just came out last weekend and extended today called The Green Room.

MS: Love that movie! Tell me about working with Patrick Stewart in The Green Room?

AY: Given that the nature of the film and the context, we never really spoke on set. But we had lovely conversations after work, like in the van ride home. Patrick is such a an incredibly accomplished actor on stage, on screen. He is also like kind and funny, humble, and a respectful human being. It is incredibly inspiring!

I also finished a film. There are things not finished. Obviously Star Trek, we finish this summer. I finished this film with Peter Stebbings in February. I am just looking at stuff right now, and might do another film as well.

The Driftless Area is available now DVD, VOD, and Digital on April 26.