The world may forever associate Andy Buckley with his character from The Office, David Wallace. The long-running sitcom is considered one of the best ever created, and rightfully so. The actor has not slowed down beyond this role, which Buckley still embraces fondly. From television series to blockbusters to independent films to video games, the credits keep coming in, much to the joy of his fans.
One of Buckley's newest releases is the dark comedy Keeping Company. It is the feature debut of director Josh Wallace, who co-wrote the film with one of the leading actors, Devin Das. Keeping Company follows a chaotic series of events after "two brash insurance salesmen go knocking on the wrong door and find themselves trapped inside a serial killer's basement, putting their lives and jobs on the line." The film currently holds a 90% Rotten Tomatoes score, with critics praising its satirical look at capitalism.
With the Keeping Company's recent VOD release via 1091 Pictures, Andy Buckley discussed the film and a surprising project he took on during Covid.
Andy Buckley is ‘Just a Regular Guy Who Loves Insurance...'
MovieWeb: Hi, Andy! We are talking about one of your newest releases, Keeping Company. It was smart, witty, and darker than expected. How did you get attached to this project?
Andy Buckley: Well, my buddy Josh Wallace – no relation to David – and I had worked together before on the movie The House with Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler. We've just stayed buddies, and I’ve been trying to get in at least one of his shorts which are also a little dark and funny. Then they said, hey, we got this, and you know, whatever Josh will do, I will do.
MovieWeb: Regarding Josh Wallace, as you have mentioned, he’s made short films, but this is his feature debut. How was it working with him on Keeping Company? Was there much nervousness?
Andy Buckley: I tried to make him nervous. [laughs] No, you know, you have people who haven't necessarily done a ton, but they've done a lot in being around and making short movies. They know what they're doing, and they've written a bunch of scripts, and, in his case, he had worked with some guys that were making some big comedies. So even though you're the rookie, so to speak, you're fairly seasoned and make decisions on the fly. Like, okay, we don't have the money to do that all right here, let's put the camera there, and we'll do this all-in-one shot. People like that don't seem like rookies quite often, and in this case, he didn't.
MovieWeb: It was surprising to see that this was Wallace’s feature debut. It has so much going for it, including the cast.
Andy Buckley: Medina [Senghore], who I had a bunch of scenes with, and Gillian [Vigmani] are just so funny. And I was a big Entourage fan, so when Lloyd [actor Rex Lee] shows up, oh my god. It's Lloyd. Which is terrible, but it's what happens. He's, of course, more than Lloyd, but that's how we know him.
MovieWeb: I’m sure it happens to you, too. To most of the world, you are David Wallace.
Andy Buckley: Yeah, that's it forever, which is fine with me. That's why I get to do so many other things I get to do.
MovieWeb: It’s great that you embrace that! In Keeping Company, your character is the laid-back, rational one…until he isn’t. How fun was it filming that final scene?
Andy Buckley: I’m just a regular guy who loves insurance, Melissa [Laughter]. I think that’s the line in the trailer.
Andy Buckley as Uncle Marcus
MovieWeb: That’s the line! Andy, you have stayed consistently busy despite Hollywood shutting down. It was interesting to discover that one of those projects is a murder mystery video game titled Who Pressed Mute on Uncle Marcus? Can you talk a bit about that?
Andy Buckley: That was so wild. I don't know much about that world at all, I mean, my kids play video games, but I’m still partial to pinball machines. But I can see how you get hooked on these things. Someone I worked with before, the DP of this lovely, wonderful movie I got to do right before Covid started called Most Guys Are Losers. It's a fun title, with Mira Sorvino, Keith David, and a bunch of great people. But the fellow who was the DP was the GP or cinematographer on this thing and called me and said, “Hey, you want to play this part? We're making this thing.” It’s nuts.
They brought the camera over and set it up, and then somehow moved it remotely from where they were. Everybody was like this, on Zoom, and then they pieced it together. There are alternate endings, which is what the video game is about. You can decide no, don't let them drink the poison or whatever. It's just really a ton of fun.
MovieWeb: Interactive video games are great and have a long history in the industry, so I had to ask about playing Uncle Marcus.
Andy Buckley: Hopefully, it doesn't disappoint. It was fun to do, and people seem to like it, looking at the reviews.
MovieWeb: Before we wrap, are there any other projects you would like to mention?
Andy Buckley: Keeping Company is a real treat. It's an absolute hoot and very funny. It goes off the rails there towards the end, which is always great. I’m lucky I get to keep working. I’m on this HBO show [Avenue 5], and I’m working on an Arnold Schwarzenegger Netflix TV series now [Utap]. But, you know, it's the Keeping Companies of the world that need the press. This is where the great filmmakers are. They're lesser-known now, but hopefully, in a few years, they're more known.