As a former child actor, Peter Billingsley may be forever remembered as little Ralphie Parker, whose quest for a Red Ryder BB gun inspired the holiday classic “A Christmas Story” (1983).
In his more recent capacity as a Hollywood producer, Billingsley, now 38, is best known for several projects with Vince Vaughn (his starring vehicles “The Break-Up” and “Four Christmases”) and Jon Favreau (his directorial efforts “Made” and “Iron Man”).
The boys’ club reunites on “Couples Retreat” — this time with Billingsley as director, working from a script co-written by Vaughn and Favreau, who also co-star in the marital comedy. Vaughn, Favreau, Jason Bateman and Faizon Love play four friends looking to revitalize their relationships with significant others Malin Akerman, Kristin Davis, Kristen Bell and Kali Hawk, respectively, during an exotic vacation/extended therapy session.
Billingsley spoke about the movie during a recent telephone interview.
Q: How far back do you go with Vaughn and Favreau?
A: We’ve been friends going on 20 years now. Believe it or not, Vince and I met when I was still acting, on a TV after-school special (in 1990), where I was a high school athlete on steroids and he played my best friend. We just really hit it off. He was new to town at the time, but, even then, it was apparent to me that it wasn’t a question of if he was going to become successful in his own right, but when. He’s just so smart and funny and full of ideas. What’s really weird is I’ve known Jason Bateman the longest of all. He also did “The Break-Up” with us, but I first met him when we were on an episode of “Little House on the Prairie” together back in the early ’80s.
Q: So how does it work on the set? You’re friends with these guys, but at a certain point, do you have to put that aside? You’re the director, Vaughn and Favreau are the stars and producers, and everybody has a job to do, right?
A: It definitely helped that we had a history of working so closely together on other projects. Fortunately, we prepared a lot during the development process, so that once we actually hit the set, all of us were pretty much on the same page. Vince is very collaborative that way. “Couples Retreat” was based on his original idea, but he’s very unselfish about stepping back, letting other people contribute and do what they do best. It’s not only about him. He really makes you feel like a creative partner every step of the way.
Q: Was there a specific moment when you decided to switch gears from acting into producing and directing?
A: It’s the old Hollywood cliche: “But what I really want to do is direct.” From a young age, I always had an interest in the filmmaking process. When I wasn’t in a scene, rather than hanging out in my trailer or whatever, I always enjoyed hanging out on the set. I had a real curiosity about it. Acting was a great experience, but it wasn’t always the focus or the only thing that defined me. I came from a good, grounded family. I had mundane chores to do around the house, like any other kid.
Q: Are you ever surprised by the enduring popularity of “A Christmas Story”?
A: You know, when it originally came out, it performed modestly, but it wasn’t an overwhelming hit. With video and cable, though, it grew into something else. Over the past 25 years, I’ve become a fan of it myself. I’m far enough removed from it, I can appreciate what other people see in it. It’s something I never get tired of being asked about.
Q: How does working behind the scenes challenge or reward you differently from working in front of the camera?
A: You get a more total experience behind the scenes. Actors traditionally come on late in the process, after all the pre-production, and they typically leave early, before all the post-production. As a director, it’s a longer and more complete journey — from concept through script development, from shooting through editing. In that sense, it’s much more satisfying overall.
Q: Would you ever swear off acting altogether, a la Ron Howard?
A: I hope not. I’ve done a couple of little cameos here and there, and hopefully it will always be a part of what I do. I don’t think they’re mutually exclusive things. Producing and directing requires a different kind of energy, flexing a different kind of muscle, that’s all.
About the Author
