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“EVERY DAY”
Opens Friday in theaters
(PG-13, 1:35)
Jacob Batalon, 21, the Hawaii actor who played Spider-Man’s best friend Ned in “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” is local to the core. Wears slippers. Eats poke. Adores Zippy’s. Acknowledges Aloha Friday. Won’t have it any other way.
Though he’s a bona fide movie star now — his latest film, “Every Day,” opens Friday — he doesn’t think about fame, except when asked.
His latest is an indie film, directed by Michael Sucsy, based on an acclaimed New York Times best-seller by David Levithan, and deals with unconventional love and acceptance.
For Batalon, it’s a change of pace. It’s a young adult drama, not a superhero adventure.
Batalon is the co-lead in “Every Day,” which follows the complex romantic adventures of 16-year-old Rhiannon (Angourie Rice), who falls in love with James (Batalon). The complication: James is also a mysterious spirit, “A,” who inhabits the body of a new person of different genders — always the same age, but never the same type — every 24 hours.
“I’m the body of the spirit,” Batalon explained. “It’s a coming- of-age life comedy. And a vulnerable film, which was fun and a change from ‘Spider-Man.’”
ON THE phone at his place in New York, where he had just returned from a workout, Batalon says his Hawaii ties remain deep.
“I grew up in Waipahu, moved to Salt Lake, attended St. Anthony in Kalihi, which I understand is closing, and then Damien,” he said. “I wear slippahs all the time, even when it’s not acceptable (like in cold weather). I wear aloha shirts on Fridays.
“I miss family — and food. I really want kalbi, garlic chicken now, from Soon’s Kalbi Drive-in (in Salt Lake) and Zippy’s. And poke — it’s become popular in New York, but it’s not the same.”
Add Spam musubi.
“I have it all the time.”
Batalon said he still is thrilled with his breakout role in the “Spider-Man” reboot last year, in which he played Peter Parker’s Lego-loving best friend in the Marvel Comics adaptation.
“I don’t want to marvel (no pun intended) about what I’ve done, but certainly being part of ‘Spider-Man’ — which was so big — significantly changed my life, giving me more opportunities and success,” he said.
He’s poised to reprise the Ned role opposite Tom Holland as Spidey in the sequel, provisionally titled “Spider-Man: Homecoming 2,” which starts filming in May for release on July 5, 2019.
Being Filipino, Batalon brings diversity to Hollywood films. He advocates for more actors of color and ethnicities on the big screen.
“I’ve not yet been contacted by any (Filipino) group, but I’d be happy to meet them,” he said. “I’d love to have the opportunity to speak to them because I’m proud (of my heritage).”
His celebrity still is growing.
“Some recognize me at the gym; my Uber driver was surprised,” he said. “People at the bank and sometimes on the subway — sometimes they notice.”
Batalon will get increased screen exposure in the year ahead with several films coming up. One is a high school comedy dubbed “Night School,” starring comedian Kevin Hart.
He can’t share details, but confirms that he and Holland will appear in “Avengers: Infinity War,” part of the growing Marvel franchise, which is in post-production.
The bottom line, he said, is that he’s constantly working in a craft that can be consuming but satisfying.
“I enjoy people, I love traveling for work, and though it gets exhausting, I don’t mind. I love press junkets and chatting with the press.”
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