Bryan Greenberg’s scary brush with opioids led him to “Junction” — his directorial debut and the primary movie he’s written.
Greater than a decade in the past, the actor was prescribed oxycodone after present process a “a routine hernia surgical procedure.” However quickly, the actor discovered himself taking 10 to fifteen tablets a day.
“I ended up — I used to be addicted. Let’s begin with I’m not an addict. And after I had quite a lot of hassle getting off these meds and I misplaced a couple of months, and since I’m not an addict, it actually pissed me off, as a result of I’m not somebody who likes to have issues have management over me,” Greenberg, 45, instructed The Put up.
“This was one thing that I didn’t search for and it was simply placed on me. I’m fortunate that I received out of it, however I bear in mind getting dopesick getting off the meds, and it simply actually made me take into consideration, ‘OK, what system was put in place to make addicts out of all of those harmless folks?’ ” he continued.
“On the time after I wrote this 4 years in the past, you had been listening to in regards to the opioid epidemic. … It was simply so huge and summary. I don’t suppose folks actually knew methods to discuss it.”
“Junction” is “not a private story,” the “One Tree Hill” alum harassed, nevertheless it does hit house as Greenberg “may have gone down that path,” he admitted.
The drama focuses on three totally different, connecting tales in regards to the disaster. Producer Greenberg performs Michael, a dad whose marriage falls aside after he turns into depending on oxycodone post-back surgical procedure. His real-life spouse Jamie Chung, Sophia Bush, Ryan Eggold, Ashley Madekwe, Josh Peck, Griffin Dunne, Michaela Conlin and Yara Martinez additionally star.
“The viewers hasn’t seen me play a personality like that. And I simply needed to dig deep,” he famous.
Madekwe, for her half, runs a ache clinic, and towards her higher judgment, often prescribes remedy to those that might not want it.
“As an actor, I’m at all times gravitated to characters, and I needed to know, [why these] seemingly good folks, why would they make these decisions to place us on this state of affairs? And so I actually needed to only discover that. The ethical complexities of individuals,” Greenberg defined. “I needed to lift consciousness to destigmatize dependancy. I’ve misplaced mates. And I’m positive everyone, sadly, who sees this may have some connection to the disaster. It’s a really relatable topic.”
The “October Street” alum admits he “was nervous” to steer the venture — and put on so many hats — however he beloved the method.
“It was positively difficult,” he instructed The Put up. “I’m a really hands-on actor. Once I’m on set, I wish to know what’s occurring with the photographs and what lenses persons are utilizing. However I’ve by no means been concerned. I by no means knew what colour correction was. I by no means knew how a lot you possibly can manipulate the movie with an edit. I’ve by no means been an editor, so it’s the best movie college on Earth, making a film.”
He added: “For my first time directing, I believed possibly it might be simpler if I’m not in each scene within the film. So I consciously did a 3rd of the movie. I’m like, OK, properly, that’s attainable.”
Regardless of the heavy topic, Greenberg did joke about what it was wish to direct Chung, 40. The couple have been married since October 2015 and have 2-year-old twin sons.
“She’s so used to doing that with me,” he teased on whether or not she talked again on set. “I used to be like, ‘Babe, you possibly can’t do this. I’m speculated to be the director. You bought to respect me somewhat bit right here. Simply not less than immediately.’ “
“I’d put her in something and every thing. I feel she’s so gifted. I’m her largest fan, so it’s an honor to work together with her as an actor. She’s a kind of actresses that may simply take path and she or he will get it and she will simply kill it,” he went on. “We’ve such rapport with one another.”
Greenberg doesn’t thoughts if their youngsters determine to affix the household enterprise both.
“Who am I to face of their means? I’ll educate them every thing I do know and attempt to impart all of the information that I’ve, nevertheless it’s not one thing I’d essentially push on them,” he stated. “It’s a very up and down, exhausting enterprise. And, I like it. It’s all I do know, and it’s all I’ll ever know, nevertheless it’s not for everyone, that’s for positive.”
“One Tree Hill” followers may even be pleased to see Greenberg reunite on-screen together with his former co-star Bush. The “Prime” actor personally requested Bush, 41, to play his spouse within the movie.
“We didn’t get to actually shoot that many scenes collectively on ‘One Tree Hill.’ … [But] this ‘One Tree Hill’ journey that’s been occurring for 20 years has taken us all all over the world collectively and continues to encourage our audiences, which I’m blown away by. An incredible fan base. I’m simply honored to be part of it, regardless that I used to be simply in it [the] first couple of seasons. So Sophia and I’ve at all times stayed in contact.”
Michael and Bush’s Alison divorced amid his opioid dependancy, however nonetheless have “stunning love for one another.”
“That’s an excellent damaged couple,” Greenberg instructed The Put up. “I simply thought that was an interesting dynamic to play. And, she received it instantly. It’s a very heartbreaking relationship. They form of nonetheless wish to be collectively, nonetheless love one another, however there’s clearly some issues in the way in which.”
“Junction” premieres in restricted theaters and is now on demand.