Ex-Mr. Cellophane Takes on Colorful Role in ‘Walk Hard’

John C. Reilly has covered a lot of film territory over the past 20 years. He made us laugh as a diehard NASCAR-driver in “Talladega Nights” and made us cry as a sensitive cop in “Magnolia.” But in his new film, Jake Kasdan’s “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story,” he wants to make us sing. In “Walk Hard,” Reilly shows off his musical talents for the first time since 2002’s “Chicago,” playing fictional rock-and-roll legend Dewey Cox, a spoof on any number of legendary music icons.

“I fell in love with this character and all of the phases of his life,” says Reilly. “My favorite thing about playing Dewey was getting to be a rock star. He had a goofy optimism and he wouldn’t let himself get too down about anything.”

But the role still offered challenges for the actor: “It was also fun to play someone who had a narcissistic side and who was clueless about the real world.”

When looking for a role, Reilly says he looks for new opportunities to practice his craft. “I like stuff I haven’t done before—stuff that makes me a little bit nervous. That’s a good sign,” he says. “I like to keep surprising people.”

And with his first major role as a singing sensation, he has certainly shot for some surprises. For example, Reilly actually recorded his own singing both onscreen and on the soundtrack.

More surprising, perhaps, is that “Walk Hard” is only the latest entry in a long musical career for Reilly.

“I grew up in Chicago, doing a lot of community theater and musicals all through grade school and high school,” he recalls.

“Music has always been a pretty important part of my life, and now it’s just becoming a more important part of my career.”

So how did Reilly prepare for this self-proclaimed “dream job?”

“I slept with as many women as possible,” he says with a laugh, mentioning that Cox is legendary for his reckless lifestyle. But seriously, folks: “I prepare in different ways for every part. I usually try to fill in the gaps in my mind and in areas where I don’t have a lot of experience,” he says. “Whether it’s a swordfisherman or a pornstar—I just fill in the gaps.”

Beyond his routine “gap-filling,” Reilly says he took several steps to ensure authenticity in his role.

“I had a rehearsal space near my house, and we would go on the weekends and jam. I got used to being the front man of the band, which was incredible. We started with the 50s and then ended up with songs like ‘Take My Hand,’” he says, referring to Cox’s first fictional hit.

“It was an incredible rock-n-roll fantasy.”

Besides that process, the actor visualized how he wanted his performance to develop: “I would meditate, and once we started filming, I would kind of know where I was going with his character.

Given a taste of music fame, Reilly hints that he might explore the industry further. “Music has always been a part of my life,” he remarks. “The more you put it out there, the more opportunities you get.”

“I’d love to do a record one day,” he says. “If it’s not too embarrassing.”