Deadline’s The Contenders: Jason Segel and James Ponsoldt On The Beginnings Of ‘End Of The Tour’

Actor Jason Segel and Director James Ponsoldt talked End Of The Tour, their acclaimed movie about the Rolling Stone magazine interview of  author David Foster Wallace  when they came to participate in Deadline’s big awards season event, The Contenders Presented By Deadline which took place last month in front a packed audience of AMPAS and key guild members at the DGA.  Segel has been nominated for a Best Actor Independent Spirit Award for his  against-type casting as Wallace , the iconic author of “Infinite Jest” and other contemporary literary classics.  The film debuted at Sundance and was snapped up by A24 films for release last summer.  Segel discusses  his research for the role, his effort not to do a mere impression and his working process with co-star Jesse Eisenberg in what is essentially a two-hander.  Ponsoldt explains the development of the screenplay with his former college professor and Pulitizer Prize winning playwright Donald Margulies, as well as how he worked with these actors in creating the tension and chemistry to make the movie play.  To see our conversation just click the link above.