Byron Mann talks ‘The Big Short’ and ‘Hell on Wheels’

Actor Byron Mann finished off 2015 in a big way, thanks to the critically-acclaimed comedy-drama, The Big Short, which also starred Ryan Gosling, Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Marisa Tomei, and Brad Pitt.

The film has been lauded as one of the best of 2015, and follows the house bubble bursting, with numerous foreclosures across the United States, and four people who had the foresight to predict what was happening and take on the banks leading in to it.

Mann plays Mr. Chau, based on a real-life “character”, as it were, who has a major role in the housing bubble.

Previously, Mann might be best known for his role in Universal’s Streetfighter back in the day, opposite Jean-Claude Van Damme, but he’s also busy on television with Hell on Wheels and Rush Hour, not to mention a string of action films, including The Man With The Iron Fist.

Speaking with the star recently, he spoke about making The Big Short, and his favorite TV role. The Big Short is in theatres now.

Andrew Powell: What was it like portraying this real-life “villain,” CDO fund manager ‘Mr. Chau’ based on the real-life Wing Chau in Paramount’s The Big Short?

Byron Mann: “Well, I wouldn’t call him a ‘villain’ necessarily. He wasn’t doing anything illegal, per se. He was, in fact, working hand-in-hand with big banks like Merrill Lynch which supplied him with all the CDO products to sell to the bank’s own clients!”

“Although I had read up on him, I had never met him. So I didn’t feel any pressure portraying the man himself. What director Adam McKay and I were trying to do was to portray the essence of this man and to explain to the audience what he was selling and how it impacted the economy.”

Andrew: How much did you end up researching him, and what kind of preparation was involved?

Byron Mann: “I read the book The Big Short and also court depositions on some lawsuits that involved him. I also managed to see one real life photo of him in the media. The rest was all put together while working with Adam McKay and Steve Carell on the day of filming.”

Andrew: The cast is incredible. What was it like working with them?

Byron Mann: “Well, I mainly worked with Steve Carell and a little bit with Ryan Gosling. Steve is a very professional actor who’s always striving for the truth in the scene. There was also quite a lot of improvisation with Adam McKay directing. We often went off book and made up things during a take–some of which ended up in the final cut!”

Andrew: You have also been busy on television between shows like AMC’s Hell on Wheels and CBS’ Rush Hour. I know it’s difficult, but do you have a favorite role you’ve done so far?

Byron Mann: “The role in Hell on Wheels is one of my favorites. I had no idea what the role was going to be like when I signed on for the project. All the pieces came together quickly in pre-production and once they did, I realized what a complex, nuanced, and delicious character this was. I totally enjoy playing him.”