[EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW] Will Smith, Margot Robbie ‘Focus’ Co-Star Adrian Martinez Talks New Film, Improvising on ‘Inside Amy Schumer’ & Persevering in Hollywood [PHOTO + VIDEOS]

Fans of Will Smith are gearing up the for ever so anticipated release of the rapper-turned-actor's upcoming film Focus, which stars the former Fresh Prince alongside The Wolf of Wall Street's Margot Robbie. And while the two make a near-perfect pair, or so it seems, it looks as if much of the film's comic relief comes from actor Adrian Martinez, who stars as Smith's righthand man, Farhad. As the lead's "pit bull," as he exclusively tells MStars News, Martinez's character is one who finds himself skeptical of Robbie as she enters the scene and sweeps Smith off of his feet.

Aside from his role in Focus, Martinez has been a constant face and name in some of Hollywood's hottest titles, including The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Inside Amy Schumer, Gotham, and much, much more.

Focus, which tells the tale of a con man (Smith) who finds himself falling hard for a femme fatale (Robbie) when she re-enters his life, opens this coming Friday, Feb. 27.

MStars News recently spoke with Adrian Martinez about his role as Farhad, what it was like working with both Smith and Robbie, his extensive resume and how to persevere in Hollywood.

MStars News: Focus comes out this Friday, Feb. 27. There's quite a bit of hype about the new film. How are you feeling about it?
Adrian Martinez: I'm very excited. This is a special movie with a special cast and exotic locales. It's a really smart script by John Requa and Glenn Ficarra that you just don't see everyday.

I was immediately drawn to the script. It was filled with so many surprises. As soon as you thought you knew where it was going, you realize you're completely wrong.

MS: I imagine as an actor you read so many scripts, you were probably thrilled to get a gem like this.
AM: Yeah! Usually, within the first 10 pages you can tell if a script is good. This was one of those.

MS: For the folks that don't know, can you tell me a little about the film and your role?
AM: Will Smith is the leader of this gang of con men who go all over the world pulling off these jobs. Things come to a fork in the road when his character meets Margot Robbie. And as I can tell you from my own experience, women can definitely blow up my world [laughs] in an exciting and wonderful way. And that kind of happens to Nicky, Will's character. Now he has to decide where he is going to put the focus of his life.

I play a character Farhad, this Persian guy who is kind of like a bull in a china shop who says whatever he wants. My character has Nicky's back. He's done a lot of jobs with him and just wants to make sure that he's safe. So when Margot shows up he doesn't know where she's coming from. He's kind of Nicky's pit bull.

MS: How did the opportunity come your way?
AM: I saw the breakdown and my eyes lit up. I knew it was going to be something special. So I called up my agent and then auditioned. I knew from the beginning that I was going to get along with these guys because they allowed for improvisation at the audition. And that's what I do; it was great.

MS: So, of course, I've got to ask: how was it working with Will Smith?
AM: It was a real out of body experience. I relate him to being one of those Thanksgiving Day floats. [laughs] You look at this guy and he's larger than life, people are amazed by him. And you meet him and he's completely grounded and generous.

I was doing stuff during the filming, like improvising and physical comedy, and he just went with it. He wasn't like 'Oh, this is MY movie.' He was totally open to the creative process. For me, that was huge.

He lives in such gratitude. And he gives it back. He's just a cool guy.

MS: The guy has been around for so long. Did he teach you anything specific?
AM: He's extremely, extremely in the moment, and that really hit me. He's such a great listener. He's right there in the moment and willing to risk anything.

MS: I imagine working with Margot Robbie had to be a pleasure.
AM: Well, I mean come on. [laughs] I was so happy to be in this film. To be in Buenos Aires and working with her and Will, it was amazing. She just gets it. Every 20 million people, someone gets everything and that's her. I call her CGI: a Caucasian Gorgeous Individual. She's special.

MS: In the film, you provide a lot of the comic relief. Do you seek those roles out?
AM: No matter what I'm doing I always try to find the humor. Even when I did Gotham I was pitching to the director. TV is different though; it's much more by the book. But I do always look for the humor in things.

Life is really ridiculous and I think you just need to have a sense of humor about it. I try to bring that thought process to my work.

MS: You've done anything from Law & Order: SVU to Inside Amy Schumer, I imagine going somewhere like the latter must be a thrill for you.
AM: It is. The episode I just did with her, she directed. And she's taking chances on TV that I'm not seeing anywhere else. She's fearless, but really cool. I'd walk on glass for her.

When I walked onto her set I had all these ideas and she was open to them. Just the fact that she's into actors bringing their things makes it that much better.

MS: Do you find that more common in comedy than drama?
AM: I do. But with that show, it's Comedy Central and basic cable. I feel like there's more room there than a network like NBC... especially if the star is also the executive producer.

On one episode of SVU, I played a mentally disabled person and I didn't have to audition – which tells you what people think of me [laughs] – but that was pretty scripted and you just have to do it in those situations.

MS: Does that mean you enjoy doing comedy more?
AM: You know, some days you want to walk on the beach and some days you want to go skiing. It's great either way; it's just a matter of what you're in the mood for. To me, it's all related.

MS: So what was your most memorable moment from working on Focus?
AM: Well, I'm a big football fan. I played one of the cheesehead guys in the State Farm commercials. So the fact that I was actually in the Superdome, that was pretty heavy for me.

But also, I take away the humor and generosity from Will Smith, Margot Robbie and the directors. It's phenomenal.

MS: So you're in the Superdome, you've got Will Smith on one side, Margot Robbie on the other –– sounds like you won life.
AM: [laughs] Well I can tell you I worked really hard to get to this place. The key for people starting out in this business is persevering. It takes time and I know people hate hearing that but it's true. If you put in the time and you have the talent, you just might be in a sports car with Will Smith one day.

Focus is being released in theaters this coming Feb. 27.

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