‘Tomorrowland’ Actor Matthew MacCaull Talks Working With George Clooney And Movie’s Girl Power

“Tomorrowland” actor Matthew MacCaull wasn’t privy to all the wonders of Brad Bird’s latest Disney movie, but he couldn’t help but be swept up in the adventure of it all. The Canadian actor plays Dave Clark, a right-hand man to Hugh Laurie’s menacingly manipulative Nix. As MacCaull describes Clack, his character is dedicated to protecting the secrets of Tomorrowland.

“Brad Bird and Damon Lindelof are involved; there’s got to be something else going on,” MacCaull said of his character’s background. He cited screenwriter Lindelof’s previous work, such as “Lost,” as evidence. When he poked around online for clues to the story, MacCaull found the origin story of “Tomorrowland.”

“Brad and Damon got their hands on this box called 1952, and it was a collection of Walt Disney’s personal affects,” he enthusiastically recalls. “They created the story around that, and I thought that was fantastic.” MacCaull signed up for the role for the chance to work with the creative filmmakers.

He shared fond memories of Bird bringing his family to the “Tomorrowland” set and the director’s accessibility to his cast and crew. “He was just so easy to talk to and collaborate with. He was interested in what I had to say about the character," said MacCaull.

Even actors get starstruck at times, something that happened to Matthew MacCaull on the set of “Tomorrowland” when he acted opposite his idol, George Clooney. He had no idea he would act with Clooney until well after he was on set. “You hear the stories that he’s a really great guy and he’s really down-to-earth. But those are the stories, but what is he really like on set?” MacCaull asked.

Fortunately, Clooney proved true to his reputation, even introducing himself to the other actors. “He’s such a giving actor. For any of the scenes we shot together, whenever they would turn the camera around and it was on me, he would still be there for me. He didn’t have to be,” MacCaull explained. “He was off camera.”

MacCaull also had high praise for the young women of “Tomorrowland,” Britt Robertson and Raffey Cassidy. On Robertson, MacCaull says she nailed the movie’s sense of optimism. “She’s not afraid to keep trying, not to give up,” he said adding that he enjoyed that “Tomorrowland” gives its audience strong female characters. “Not only in Britt Robertson’s character, but also in Raffey Cassidy’s character, Athena,” referring to the youthful helper who unites Robertson and Clooney’s characters to save Tomorrowland.

And yes, MacCaull did get a special souvenir from the set, a pin just like the one seen in the movie.

“Tomorrowland” opens in theaters on May 22.