Emmanuel Itier: How did you get involved with this film after the success of The Office?

Rainn: It was quite a process because I was just finishing the second year of The Office, and this show was catching up with people and becoming more popular, and so I was getting a few offers, but they were very broad and kind of family films. After playing this kind of over-the-top, crazy creep for over a year, I read Mimzy and thought it was great. And Bob wasn’t so sure about how America was viewing me because he knew me from “Six Feet Under” but not from The Office success. I really responded to the story…

EI: In what way?

RW: It’s pretty rare that you read a script that’s really about something–a script that has really something to say but at the same time it does not hit you over head. It has a spiritual and mystical message that’s woven into the science fiction elements that really strikes a cord. By the end of the script, I was in tears. That never really happens, and I wanted to be part of this. I didn’t know what Bob (Shaye–chairman of New Line, the financing and distributing company of “The Last Mimzy”) was like as a director, which is risky when you don’t know someone’s work, but I felt I wanted to do it. And it was either this film or another project where I would just run into walls a lot. It was nice to stretch these muscles and play a real and unique character.

EI: Do you feel you’re already getting type-cast from your role in “The Office”?

RW: I don’t think the type-casting has started just yet, but it’s how people see me: “he is big and broad”, and that is the most that people are interested in me for.

EI: Did you have any expectations with “The Office”? d Did you have any fears since it was a remake from the British “The Office”?

RW: I was a huge English “Office” fan! I had seen every episode and I was raving about it with friends, especially when it came first on BBC America. It was so brilliant that I always thought an American version of that would be fantastic. What a great idea. It’s perfect. I never had the attitude of “it will never work–they will fuck it up,” because they did 13 episodes, like a mini-series, and with an American show you’re aiming at way over 100 episodes, like “Seinfeld”. You knew it was going to syndication and you would be able to follow characters for five to six years. I always thought that there were so many ways to Americanize this show. As soon as I met Greg Daniels, who is so nice and humble, I knew we would be in good hands.

EI: Are you close to Dwight, your character in “The Office”?

RW: Sure, there is lots of me in Dwight! The worse of me is in him! I’m not so into rules and authority and hierarchy like Dwight. That is not part of me. It’s pretty alien to me…

EI: So this hippie like teacher in “Mimzy” is closer to you?

RW: Yes, this is me in an alternate life. I’m an English major at the University of Washington and I’m toying with acting. I’m at a crossroad between keeping working at the University, or do I go to India with my friends and travel around…or do I go to New York and go to acting school and become an actor and follow that path? Yes, this character is close to who I would be in an alternate universe. But my family and I are part of the Bahai faith and I’m very spiritual. My spiritual life and belief are very much part of my life, and this was one aspect of the “Mimzy” script that touched me–this mystical and spiritual aspect unfolding within the story line.

EI: Is there a large Bahai community in the U.S?

RW: Yes, we are over 100,000 people as part of the Bahai family. There are a lot of us in California and all around the world. Bahai’s faith is a monotheistic religion. We believe there is only one God and that there is only one religion, and that Buddha, Muhammad, Abraham, Jesus are all prophets of God that come at various points of time and give the message of God to mankind. I think that there is a strong belief that there is a spiritual evolution to mankind. Mankind grows progressively and matures close to God and what God wants for us, and ultimately, by doing so, we can solve the world’s problems and grow together in unity and harmony. I think that theme is very much in “Mimzy”. There is also the theme of people being pulled toward their destiny that they’re not quite sure what it is. But they know their destiny has to do with mankind’s future and the healing of the world.

EI: Do you think we’re making all the decisions, or is your God making them for us?

RW: I think it’s like people of a religious faith are striving for a kingdom of God on Earth, but you’re kind of given a do-it-yourself kit, so I think we need to do it for ourselves. God is not magically doing it for us. It’s about the work we do, the service we give during our lifetimes that helps mankind, of course.

EI: How do you deal with your faith and with the cynicism of Hollywood?

RW: Well, it’s interesting because I worked in a lot of things before I was an actor: in catering, in a moving company, in theater; and there are lot of superficial jackasses out there as much as in Hollywood, but there are also some of the nicest and most grounded people, and also lots of thoughtful people who want to make a difference and tell good stories and entertain people in a positive and uplifting way. I don’t think that work gets the attention. Look at the range of movies that come out–all kinds of uplifting family films that have a strong message to heal racism and sexism and bring people together. One of my services that I bring to this world is that God has given me gifts to be a comedian and make people laugh, and make fun of myself and take my shirt off! I also think there is great value in making people laugh. It’s a big service to the world. If I can find films that make the world a better place, that’s great.

EI: Is it also that we don’t see this type of quality entertainment because the media, for the most part, prefers to focus on Paris Hilton and the death of Anna Nicole Smith?

RW: Yes, in a way, that’s what the average magazine and cable program is giving you, so I think that people think that everyone in Hollywood is like Paris Hilton or Anna Nicole Smith, but we’re not. They don’t hear about the people doing stories like “Mimzy” and realizing it’s a very powerful story that needs to be told. It’s a great, smart, family film–not dumbed down. I think that there are lots of great people in Hollywood working with quality driven material, but the focus is not enough on them.

EI: What do you think should happen to Dwight next–your character in “The Office”?

RW: I think Dwight should be sent a toy from the future! (note: like in “Mimzy”) He should take over the office and he should become a super being! And he should marry Angela and produce lots of little Dwights. They would have quintuplets right off the bat and build like an army! All these blond little boys with ties!

EI: How is it to meet fans of “The Office”?

RW: Well, it’s great. Last night we had a special meet-and-greet event, and it’s so amazing to meet pure fans. Sometimes I also meet some other types of men who are amazed at how funny I am and who liked me the best when I vomited on my car! To each their own, I guess. It was fun to be with 800 fans–like a rock concert.

EI: What’s coming next?

RW: Well, I have some things in the works and I’ll do more movies. Also hoping that “The Office” keeps going for a while. Greg made his fortune already with “King of the Hill”, which was in syndication, so who knows. I just hope they will stop before it gets too bad.