Gabriel Bateman on ‘Benji’ and ‘The Dangerous Book for Boys’ (Interview)
From Benji to The Dangerous Book For Boys, you could say Gabriel Bateman is having a pretty awesome year. Both the Netflix film and the Amazon series have been massive hits with viewers, and being part of a classic such as Benji is quite an honor.
Bateman is a young adult who is on his way to taking the industry by storm, and after speaking to him, it’s easy to see why. He’s charismatic, wise beyond his years, and dedicated to his craft.
We got to speak to Bateman about his current projects, his favorite genres to work in, and some of his biggest fears (you’ve also seen Bateman in horror projects). His answers show how relatable he is both on and off screen.
We’re huge Netflix buffs here and we’ve just seen Benji. Congrats on being part of such a huge story! Have you seen the original Benji?
Thank you! I watched the original Benji when I first got the audition because my parents were such huge fans, and loved it.
What is it like knowing you’re taking part in a ‘remake’ of such a classic story?
I’m very honored to be a part of retelling this story. I definitely think that new and young audiences, as well fans of the original, will enjoy the film. It was directed by Brandon Camp, the son of Joe Camp who made the first Benji, and he made sure that it honored the original.
Do you have a dog at home? If so, what kind?
I currently only have four bunnies, but I grew up with lots of dogs. My favorites were my beagle named Molly, and my pitfall boxer named Spartan. I also had a chocolate lab named Godiva that lived to nineteen human years!
Some of your first roles have been in the horror genre. What was it like being on set for films like Annabelle and Lights Out?
I love working on all sets, and I feel that the experience really depends on the crew and script more than the genre, however, I will always love doing more serious roles, as I feel they are often more complex than some of the family and kid friendly ones.
What is one thing that absolutely creeps you out?
I can’t pick one, but my top three are the deep sea, not knowing what it’s in a dark room, and spiders. Does anyone even like spiders?
We also saw you as Ethan Taylor on Stalker, what was the most interesting part of taking on that role?
Working on Stalker was such a great experience. It’s taught me a lot of what I know about acting today, and it was my first time on a television series, so it was really interesting to work with a new director, and potentially new crew every week. That’s where I learned that each director has a different vision, and how to stand up for your own visions, as a child actor.
The Dangerous Book For Boys just premiered on Amazon Prime, what are you most excited for fans to see in that series?
The cast all formed a great relationship through filming, and I think it shows on camera, so I’m most excited for fans to see that.
Can you tell us a little bit about your character?
Wyatt is a very sensitive, observant, and empathetic character, and he has an amazing and very creative imagination. Despite being the youngest Wyatt often takes charge in tough situations to help his family thrive.
Just for fun, Avengers: Infinity War just came out – who is your favorite MCU hero?
Iron Man has been a favorite of mine ever since I was little, but I love Tom Hollands portrayal of Spider-Man, and I also have really enjoyed Scarlet Witch.
You can see Gabriel now in Benji and The Dangerous Book for Boys on Netflix and Amazon Prime, respectively.
‘…but I knew him’
