Carry-On's Sofia Carson Says Jason Bateman 'Is Not the Typical Super-Sleek Villain' in Netflix Hit (Exclusive)
Regarding Bateman’s portrayal of the enigmatic Traveler in “Carry-On,” which is currently available for streaming on Netflix, Carson tells PEOPLE, “It’s amazing to see him as the antagonist.”
Sofia Carson is in awe of Jason Bateman’s performance in the action-thriller Carry-On on Netflix.
The actress, 31, claims in a recent digital cover interview with PEOPLE that “it’s extraordinary to see” Bateman, 55, who is perhaps better known for his comedic roles, “as the bad guy.”
Furthermore, she notes that “Jason’s character is not the typical super-sleek villain.”
The Traveler, played by Bateman, is a mysterious man who calls TSA agent Ethan Kopek (Taron Egerton) on Christmas Eve at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and demands that he allow a traveler named Mateo (Tonatiuh) to pass through security without revealing the contents of his carry-on luggage. If he doesn’t, the Traveler will have Ethan’s pregnant girlfriend Nora (Carson) killed.
The film was written by T.J. Fixman and directed by Jaume Collet-Serra (Orphan, Jungle Cruise, Black Adam). Danielle Deadwyler, Theo Rossi, Logan Marshall-Green, Dean Norris, Sinqua Walls, and Curtiss Cook play supporting parts.
In her first action film, Carry-On, Carson tells PEOPLE that it’s “an epic thriller” and “a popcorn delight” that’s “an ode to the beloved Die Hard, a holiday action movie.”
“My character Nora has grew in life because she is bold, courageous, and fearless. According to Carson, Egerton’s character Ethan is “stuck in life and he’s stopped believing in himself, but Nora knows who he is and believes him to be the man that he’s always been in her eyes, and encourages him to do something.” “She’s the head of operations at LAX, which is a really big deal for a 29-year-old,” Carson adds.
She continues, “And Ethan is put in the most impossible circumstances in the middle of the madness of Christmas [Eve].” “Our villain, Jason Bateman, is blackmailing him into letting a carry-on through security that could affect hundreds of lives, or else his girlfriend, me, will be killed.” And that’s where our exciting and dramatic journey starts.
As Carson explains, “the beauty is that there’s such comedy woven throughout it, which makes it so fun and so entertaining.” The film does contain some tense moments.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have many scenes with Jason. My scenes tended to be more tragic and melancholy. When asked if Bateman and Egerton, 35, ever made her break during filming, the Descendants actress responds to PEOPLE, “So not that much breaking of character for me.”
“He plays this role so perfectly, and the movie is beautiful because it’s so profoundly relatable,” she says, praising the latter as “a tremendous actor.”
“It’s not a very slick action film on purpose. Carson claims that Ethan, the average person, is placed in a unique situation. “The way it was done is just amazing. And I believe it will be a huge hit with people.
Netflix is now streaming Carry-On.
