Quint goes toe to toe with Mike Tyson!

Ahoy, squirts! Quint here. There are two types of nerves one can have going into an interview. One is essentially a standard nervousness, wanting to come off well and shape a conversation people might want to read. The other is completely different, one where the nerves comes from the subject him or herself. This was definitely a case of the latter for me. It’s not because Iron Mike Tyson is a helluva brutal fighter, but because I made the mistake of watching a youtube series of clips of him intimidating reporters. I was sure we could have a fine discussion, but I don’t know the man and I didn’t know what would set him off, so the nerves I felt were of the unknown. So, count me shocked when I walked into the Caesar’s Palace conference room to meet Mike Tyson and he seemed more nervous of me than I was of him. He never left his seat, wrung his hands and just overall seemed jittery, especially when I brought out my Digital Audio Recorder. I was the first of only three one on one interviews that Tyson granted. I met his associate, Damon Bingham, producer of James Toback’s documentary TYSON, before the interview and Damon came in to sit with us during the chat, so you can see him pipe up a few times towards the end of the interview. He seemed to act as a calming influence for Tyson and was also a big AICN reader. In case you’re wondering why the interview is running now, some three weeks after THE HANGOVER was released, the reason is I was asked to hold it by Warner Bros out of respect for Tyson’s recent family tragedy. Too soon, as they’d say in the talkback. I’ve recently been okayed to run it, I suppose the incredible legs the film has is a factor in that decision. I will say that my thoughts are with Tyson during this hard time for him and his family. Tyson mentioned that the studio is making a big deal about the movie, that he sees billboards up everywhere for it as I was turning on the recorder. He hadn't seen the movie yet. That's where we start off. Enjoy the chat!

Quint: The studio is pushing the movie. I think they know they have a winner. I got to see it last night and I thought it was really good.

Mike Tyson: Was it good? Between me and you, do you think it was better than OLD SCHOOL?

Quint: Yes.

Mike Tyson: Really?

Quint: Yes. I like OLD SCHOOL a lot…

Mike Tyson: It’s my favorite movie.

Quint: … but there is something about this…

Mike Tyson: It’s fresh, huh?

Quint: It is. It’s very much like how in OLD SCHOOL Will Ferrell was still coming into his own and Vince Vaughn was still really fresh off of SWINGERS. Here you have Zach Galifiankis who is going to explode after people see…

Mike Tyson: This is interesting, because I didn’t know who Zach was. I was a familiar a little bit with the other two guys, but I didn’t know the guy who played Doug, I didn’t know him, but I didn’t know who Zach was and all of my friends… because I don’t do comedies, so all of my friends knew who Zach was. I was like “You know that guy? Who the hell is this guy?” All of my friends new him and I didn’t know who the hell he was. All my friends said “Mike…” Even Jimmy Kimmel said, “Mike, this is the funniest fucking guy!”

Quint: Oh totally and I think this is the movie that’s going to make him big. It’s just that perfect raunchy comedy and he’s just so bizarre and crazy in the film. We just talked to some of the writers and they were saying that originally the origin of the tiger, which is where you come in, they wake up and they have the tiger in their room and we find out that they stole it from you, but they originally wrote it as a Siegfried and Roy joke and when Todd Phillips came on board and he looked at the script, he was just like “That doesn’t make any sense. It’s not intimidating for these guys to go to have stolen a tiger from Siegfried and Roy,” it’s like “who’s the most intimidating person that we can find to set these guys up?”

Mike Tyson: Yeah, that’s funny too, but the crazy thing about it, because my friend has seen this and they don’t know what happens to me and they think “What the hell happened man? Why are they so discombobulated? These guys gone fucked up. What’s wrong with these guys?” I saw the trailer and was like “Where the hell did the baby come from?” I never knew a baby was involved. “Where’d the baby come from?” The guy opens the car door and smacks the baby in the face…

Quint: That’s the comedy of the movie and I think it’s funny on a big level waking up like “Why the hell is there a tiger in our room?” and then even funnier when it comes… Not only is it a tiger, but that they had to steal it. From you.

Mike Tyson: The funny thing about it from the fan’s impression of the trailer. The funny part, when they come back to my place and then I view what they actually did in my house on television and I’m like “Oh man, these guys are animals.”

Quint: That works and I actually really like that they brought you in and it’s not a throwaway cameo, you actually progress the story forward. You give them information that they need. Was that how Todd approached you originally?

Mike Tyson: I don’t know. They just gave me instructions on what to do. I was at their mercy basically.

Quint: Do you think, especially somebody like Zach Galifianakis, do you think that… because you aren’t really playing you I’m assuming, but an image of Mike Tyson.

Mike Tyson: It is only an image of me, that’s right.

Quint: Do you think that your character punching out Galifianakis, do you think that they were intimidated at all about that scene?

Mike Tyson: I don’t know. We had built the rapport, so I guess Zach was pretty comfortable in the role and he had great reflexes as well, so yeah. Really! He had athletic reflexes. He knew his business. He was a pro at what he was doing. I think he’s going to do good in movies.

Quint: I think he’s going to be a big star. Do you think now that forever you are going to be associated with Phil Collins?

Mike Tyson: Yeah. Yeah. Actually, what is it they want me to say at this award show singing that song… Spike Awards… This is crazy.

Quint: They have to bring you back if they do a sequel now. They are going to have to find a way to somehow top Phil Collins.

Mike Tyson: I can’t even express how much enjoyment I had working with Todd Phillips. He’s just a dynamite guy.

Quint: He seems really smart.

Mike Tyson: He is one of those smart guys, but he’s a dynamite guy and he’s a warm guy, too. Know what I mean? He’s just understanding and warm.

Quint: Do you like appearing in movies?

Mike Tyson: I liked doing this one. I really like doing this one.

Quint: Would you consider doing more film work?

Mike Tyson: Sure, but I know things have to be right like they were for this movie. The director has to be similar to Todd, and have to be understanding and compassionate, like knowing what people are going through and considerate of people’s feelings. It was just an honor to work with him. He was really considerate of the long hours and everything.

[Mike’s associate, Damon Bingham, mentions the documentary about Mike]

Quint: The Toback documentary?

Mike Tyson: Did you see it?

Quint: No I haven’t seen it. I didn’t know I was talking to you until two days ago, but how is it?

Mike Tyson: I’ve gotten great reviews from everybody and I was just humbled and in awe of it all. I was just happy that everything went well as far as the reviews are concerned.

Quint: I can’t imagine being the subject of a documentary. It must expose you so much.

Mike Tyson: Yeah, it’s very vulnerable and exposing to you, especially since you are being truthfully honest, because the way that they did it is they kind of tricked me in a way, because I was talking to Jim (Toback) and I knew the film crew was rolling, but I was having a conversation with him. If somebody sees me having a conversation with somebody they can understand (where I’m coming from), but when they showed the film, Jim was muted out and I’m answering these questions and… oh, God! You can imagine, I’m comin’ out answering these and it’s just like I’m volunteering this information, you know? I’m like “Oh God…”

Quint: “No! It was an interview!”

Mike Tyson: Exactly! It’s an interview! This guy is all muted out, but I’m answering all of these questions and you don’t see anyone asking me questions.

Quint: Where it comes across as you bragging. It’s just like “It was part of a conversation!”

Mike Tyson: It makes it seem worse than what it really is when I’m saying something.

Quint: It’s all in context and I think that’s why a lot of people get nervous about doing documentaries and doing that kind of thing, because if you have the filmmakers picking the wrong angle or the wrong context, it can be deadly. It really can ruin reputations and it can ruin your life, because that’s how people will perceive you.

Mike Tyson: Yeah, because you are talking to a friend, but you want the fans to know “This guy asked me this question,” but it comes out like “As a matter of fact…” and I was like “Whoa.” It came out of left field.

Quint: Do you know when the doc is coming out?

Damon Bingham: It’s out now. Where are you based?

Quint: I’m in Austin.

Damon Bingham: Okay, yeah it’s not out in Austin, but I think it will be there in about two or three weeks. It’s rolling out at fifty different markets every week.

Quint: I’ve heard really good things and I’m really sorry I haven’t seen it before talking to you.

Mike Tyson: Hey, don’t worry about it.

Quint: So what is on your plate now? What are you juggling?

Mike Tyson: At this moment I’m just working on this movie with Jaime Foxx and contemplating doing a life story.

Quint: So, in this movie would you be doing another cameo?

Mike Tyson: Naw, he’s gonna portray me. Damon Bingham: We’re talking with him about doing a biopic where Jaime would play Iron Mike.

Quint: That’d be great. I think he’s a good actor.

Mike Tyson: He’ll have to do steroids, lift weights, eat a lot… (laughs)

Quint: Hey, if Will Smith can bulk up for ALI, I’m sure Foxx can make it. Is there any particular angle you would want to go with for a biopic? Would you like to be involved heavily?

Mike Tyson: I’m going to be hands on on the project. I want to know what is it that they want to know. How much do they want everyone to know? A movie can’t portray your whole life, but there are certain issues that I’m sure they want to know and so I just want to find out what it is that they want to know. Damon Bingham: We are still in the planning stages of it, so it’s still very, very early on.

Quint: Are you guys talking to any studios yet?

Damon Bingham: Yeah, we are talking to a few studios. I don’t want to mention which.

Quint: I think they are about to shoo me out. I really do appreciate you guys taking the time.

Hope you guys enjoyed the talk. I’m sure he was on his best behavior, but preconceived impressions of Tyson were smashed to bits. He seemed giddy about being in the movie, a real fan of Todd Phillips and was very gracious. Plus I hear he was really wanting to watch the Lakers game (and did through the other two interviews he did that day), but gave me his full attention. Thanks also to Damon Bingham for helping the interview along. The rest of this weekend will be me getting my Dick Smith Tribute coverage finished up. I’m looking to have that up Monday, so keep an eye peeled, squirts! -Quint quint@aintitcool.com Follow Me On Twitter