10Qs: Matt Dewolfe on drag handymen, dog fashion, and going Balls Deep.

Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images

Deep down everyone wants to be a superhero. With the highly awaited X-Men: Apocalypse trailer finally being released, it seemed perfect timing to talk to the Beast actor, and Out favorite, Matt Dewolfe. A busy man, by the time our interview rolled around he’d already wrapped two productions, staged a star studded Broadway reading, and made a cameo in a long awaited sequel, Zoolander 2. After passing the decade mark in the entertainment industry you tend to learn a thing or two. With that in mind, Out sat down with Matt Dewolfe to pick his brain with ten of our most burning questions.

Out: When I was prepping for this interview I wrote down two questions I know you're probably really tired of answering by now so in the interest of fairness, you can ignore one of them so we can be friends at the end of this: Do you prefer stage or screen acting? Or, If you could have any superpower what would you want?

Matt Dewolfe: I couldn't hate you! Even if those two questions are the worst. Well, not the worst but you're right I've gotten both a lot. I think I'm pretty lucky that I get to go back and forth from films to theater and I love them both. I don't think they are all that different, fundementally. You get to really spend a lot of time with a character and kind of sink your teeth in them and it's a growing process with both. The other thing was the superpower thing right? I'd still say I'd love to be able to teleport. I hate going anywhere but I also hate being late and packing so if I could just get dressed and appear where I need to be and then get home and sleep in my own bed? It'd be pretty ideal.

Was acting always something you wanted to do or do you ever think there is another path you might have taken?

I'm really lucky, a lot of my childhood was out in the world and experiencing other cultures. My dads both are humanitarians so I'd like to think maybe I would have followed in their footsteps. When I started acting I got some really great advice, to really invest and learn the craft and so before it really took off that's exactly what I did. Took a few years, went to an acting school, and came back a lot more confident. If I wasn't acting? I'd probably have some sort of dog clothing boutique or something. I love dogs. I like crazy fashion. So crazy dog fashion seems perfect for me.

How did growing up with two fathers inform who you are as an adult?

I think the most important thing I learned is there is no right or wrong way to be a man. A certain interest in no way means you are better or worse at filling a masculine ideal. I know drag queens that could also build cabinets or retile their bathroom. Stereotypes are stupid and harmful. Some of the places we lived it was definitely dangerous to be gay but they never hid who they were. When I moved to New York I lived with who I considered my uncles in Chelsea and it all seemed very normal to me. For me the gay communities have always been very accepting and inclusive.

What is the craziest thing in your closet?

I like textures. I gravitate a lot to things that just feel good to wear or something visually striking. I have quite a few fake furs in my closet in neon colors just because I think they are fun to wear and an ice breaker in new situations. No matter how stuffy the event, I'll wear crazy print socks or cufflinks or a tie and just make it my own and reclaim a little individuality back.

Or dye your hair blue.

Yeah! That was a lot of fun. I wish I could have kept it longer but I was going film a period piece [A Storm In The Stars] so it wasn't very appropriate. I had a few good weeks with it though.

You did have the hair still for The Pillowman reading, I recall.

Were you there? What'd you think?

I thought everyone was great, honestly. How did the idea come around? Were you surprised by the internet stir it created?

I don't think I realized the internet would react the way it did until it occurred and I just thought, "I should have seen this coming. A white guy making things still about himself." It all stemmed from a friend and I talking about this show we both adored but didn't see it as something we could do as it stands today and sort of wanting to break down those boundaries. We started brainstorming people we had worked with or wanted to work with and made calls until it became a reality. The women in the show absolutely were the driving forces and while we never set out to create some kind of movement, I guess it's good a dialogue started about alternative casting. Look at Hamilton, one of the most incredible innovative shows out their now and I promise someone along the way never thought it would work but oh it so does.

Are you planning another return to Broadway in the future?

Always. I am the moment I take my final bow. I'm doing another reading later on this month but I think it'll be a few months before I start itching to work again. I filmed two movies back to back already this year and with X-Men: Apocalypse coming out soon most of my downtime is hanging with friends, my dog, or watching tv.

What's your favorite show currently on air?

There's this channel, Viceland, that is absolutely killing it right now. They have this show called 'Balls Deep' that examines countercultures and 'Gaycation' with Ellen Page and Ian Daniel where they examine what it's like to be gay in different places around the world. I never miss an episode of either one.

So I must ask then: Are you gay?

I think sexual preference is very rarely clean cut all or nothing, gay or straight. I don't like putting labels on things including myself. There are beautiful women in the world and beautiful men in the world. I will say so far, however, I've only dated women.

Catch X-Men: Apocalypse in theaters nationwide on May 27, 2016.