Matt Wolf

We were a little competitive in the process because Paul was somebody who totally separated himself from his alter ego, Pee Wee Herman. And I was sort of asking him to bring those two things together. So he was a little rebellious in the interview.

We were a little competitive in the process because Paul was somebody who totally separated himself from his alter ego, Pee Wee Herman. And I was sort of asking him to bring those two things together. So he was a little rebellious in the interview.

What's your agenda? My whole pitch to him is I want to make a portrait of an artist. You know, he wanted to really set the record straight and overcome some of the controversies from his arrest. And I said, well, you know, that's the easy part. The harder part is to really look inward. Who are you really as a person who the world doesn't know, even though your character is so iconic?

What's your agenda? My whole pitch to him is I want to make a portrait of an artist. You know, he wanted to really set the record straight and overcome some of the controversies from his arrest. And I said, well, you know, that's the easy part. The harder part is to really look inward. Who are you really as a person who the world doesn't know, even though your character is so iconic?

You know, I think Paul felt comfortable talking about his artistry and less comfortable talking about the controversies that surrounded it. But he was determined to overcome those controversies. So I was there to help him do it, but he really wanted creative control. It was a little like his Achilles heel. And so we were at odds. And some time went by where we weren't working together.

You know, I think Paul felt comfortable talking about his artistry and less comfortable talking about the controversies that surrounded it. But he was determined to overcome those controversies. So I was there to help him do it, but he really wanted creative control. It was a little like his Achilles heel. And so we were at odds. And some time went by where we weren't working together.

And it was only at the end, before Paul died, that I was able to talk to him, and he wanted to move forward. I didn't know what was going on behind the scenes.

And it was only at the end, before Paul died, that I was able to talk to him, and he wanted to move forward. I didn't know what was going on behind the scenes.

No idea at all.

No idea at all.

There was a time where we weren't working together. We were trying to find a path forward, and we couldn't. But fortunately, I was able to talk to him toward the end, and I could tell something was up. But I had no idea of the gravity of it. I was supposed to do a final interview with him the week after he died.

There was a time where we weren't working together. We were trying to find a path forward, and we couldn't. But fortunately, I was able to talk to him toward the end, and I could tell something was up. But I had no idea of the gravity of it. I was supposed to do a final interview with him the week after he died.

Yeah, it changed who I am as a kid.

Yeah, it changed who I am as a kid.

I grew up on Pee Wee's Playhouse. I wouldn't have been able to put words to it, but I think its message of radical acceptance and creativity, it changed who I am.

I grew up on Pee Wee's Playhouse. I wouldn't have been able to put words to it, but I think its message of radical acceptance and creativity, it changed who I am.

So it was thrilling to be able to work with Paul and to kind of be in his mind.

So it was thrilling to be able to work with Paul and to kind of be in his mind.

Somewhere in between, I think there was a barbed element to our conversations, but it was also fun.

Somewhere in between, I think there was a barbed element to our conversations, but it was also fun.