Michael Cera on working with Tom Cruise, featuring in 'Barbie', and never graduating

In this very special bonus episode, Louis is joined by actor and writer Michael Cera. Michael tells Louis about his foul-mouthed run-in with Tom Cruise, nearly missing out on his role as Allan in Barbie, and the reason he never graduated from high school. Plus, Louis reveals which Superbad character he most aligns with… 

Warnings: Strong language 

Links/Attachments: 

Film: The Phoenician Scheme (2025) - dir. Wes Anderson 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEuMnPl2WI4 

TV Show: Arrested Development (2004-2019) - Fox/Netflix 

https://www.netflix.com/title/70140358 

TV Show: The Office (2001-2003) - BBC  

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b00jd68z/the-office 

TV Show: The Grubbs (2002) - Fox 

https://youtu.be/knwPbzLWCNQ?si=9d10SEXncfPkrdaK 

Film: Superbad (2007) 

https://www.netflix.com/title/70058023 

Advert: ‘Pillsbury Doughboy Commercial’  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDEYPbfWY6I 

Film: Year One (2009) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4H_Eepvg3aU 

Film: Ghostbusters (1984) 

https://www.netflix.com/title/541018 

Film: A Minecraft Movie (2025) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJO_vIDZn-I 

Film: Anora (2024) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1HxTmV5i7c 

Film: Funny Games (1997) - dir. Michael Haneke 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ec-70W_K77U 
 

Film: Benny’s Video (1992) - dir. Michael Haneke 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18X_kyHW3G0 

Film: White Ribbon (2009) - dir. Michael Haneke 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JOXs8KEiDY 

Film: The Castle (1997) - dir. Michael Haneke 

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8hsui0 

Film: Right Now, Wrong Then (2015) - dir. Hong Sang-soo 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOE-Zznq_S4 

Film: Yourself and Yours (2016) - dir. Hong Sang-soo 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48F7SkR8yew 

Film: Claire’s Camera (2017) - dir. Hong Sang-soo  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4-C5L0TupE 

Short Story: ‘My Man Jeremy’ - Michael Cera 

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/11/25/my-man-jeremy 

Short Story: ‘Pinecone’ - Michael Cera  

https://store.mcsweeneys.net/products/mcsweeneys-issue-30 

Book: True Grit – Charles Portis  

Book: Masters of Atlantis – Charles Portis  

Book: Dog of the South – Charles Portis  

TV Show: Scenes from a Marriage (2021) - HBO 

Film: Fanny and Alexander (1982)  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euGIHjc6C_Q 

Film: Barbie (2023)  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBk4NYhWNMM 

TV Show: Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace (2004) - Channel 4 

https://www.channel4.com/programmes/garth-marenghis-darkplace 

Film: Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (2010) - dir. Edgar Wright  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wd5KEaOtm4 

Film: This Is The End (2013)  

https://www.netflix.com/title/70264796 

Documentary: Louis Theroux: Miami Mega Jail (2011) - BBC 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b011k0xx 

Film: Rushmore (1998) - dir. Wes Anderson 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZVdXXG3KN8 

Film: A Clockwork Orange (1971) - dir. Stanley Kubrick  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T54uZPI4Z8A&pp=0gcJCdgAo7VqN5tD 

TV Show: Mr. Show with Bob and David (1995-1998) - HBO 

https://www.hbo.com/mr-show-with-bob-and-david 

Film: Bottle Rocket (1996) - dir. Wes Anderson  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJPQ-NnjZR0 

Credits: 

Producer: Millie Chu  

Assistant Producer: Maan al-Yasiri 

Production Manager: Francesca Bassett  

Music: Miguel D’Oliveira  

Audio Mixer: Tom Guest 

Video Mixer: Scott Edwards  

Executive Producer: Arron Fellows  

A Mindhouse Production for Spotify  

www.mindhouse.co.uk  

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