Freeman on reprising his role as God

Kam Williams

Born on June 1, 1937 in Memphis, Tenn., Morgan Freeman is keeping extraordinarily busy. The Academy Award-winner, who recently turned 70, has a number of upcoming films on the docket, including three being released later this year — “The Feast of Love,” the Vietnam War-centered “The Last Full Measure,” and “Gone, Baby, Gone,” a murder mystery with strong Boston ties. Portions of the film, which marks Ben Affleck’s directorial debut and is based on a novel by Dorchester native Dennis Lehane, were filmed in Boston, Roxbury, Dorchester and South Boston.

Freeman’s slate remains full in 2008. He will share the screen with Jack Nicholson in “The Bucket List,” a Rob Reiner-directed road comedy about a couple of terminally ill patients who make a break from the cancer ward. In the action-adventure flick “Wanted,” he’ll play an assassin alongside Angelina Jolie and hip-hop star Common. In “The Dark Knight,” a sequel to the 2005 smash “Batman Begins” slated for a blockbuster release next summer, he’ll rejoin a strong ensemble cast that features Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Heath Ledger, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Aaron Eckhart and Gary Oldman. And he’s already attached to “Rendezvous with Rama,” an adaptation of the sci-fi best seller by Arthur C. Clarke scheduled for a 2009 release.

Somewhere in his incredibly busy schedule, Freeman recently found a few minutes to speak with the Banner about his most recent film, “Evan Almighty.” This sequel to the 2003 Jim Carrey vehicle “Bruce Almighty” focuses on TV anchorman-turned-congressman Evan Baxter, played by Steve Carell of NBC’s “The Office,” who gets a visit from Freeman — reprising his role as God — that turns Evan’s world upside down.

Did you have any second thoughts about agreeing to play God?

I got the feeling a long time ago that eventually someone was going to come up to me and say, “We want you to play this role.” I wondered, “What am I going to do?” If it was a straight role, I wouldn’t do it, pure and simple.

Do you enjoy working with Tom Shadyac as a director?

My coming back to [the role of God] has everything to do with the filmmaker. I really like Tom’s head — the way he thinks, what he thinks, what he does and what he’s attempting to say. I want to say the same things, so we usually wind up on the same page.

How would you describe his directorial style?

I’m not that keen on being directed. If you give me a part, I’ve got to assume that you think I’ll do it, rather than be a conduit. However, Tom has a way of infusing his direction with … he’s like, “Try it for me.” It’s like, “OK, I’m going to do you a favor.”

Also, generally, he’s on. He knows exactly what he sees and what he wants, which is very helpful. Playing this role, I might have a tendency to get too serious. So one of his constant reminders to me was, “Just keep it light,” which was really right.

What’s the significance of God’s inspiring random acts of kindness in this picture?

The idea is that a random act of kindness will lead to another, and another, and an exponential spreading. It’s like, I will do something good for you, and because of that, your belief in human generosity and interaction grows. So you may not do anything for me — you may never even see me again — but you’ll be more than willing to perform an act of kindness for someone else, if you see a need. And that just keeps moving.

How was it co-starring opposite Steve Carell?
He’s a professional. By professional, I mean not only is he good at his craft, but he’s dedicated to it. And he himself is a terrific human being. I find that’s very prevalent in this business. Most of the people that I have worked with, 99.999 percent of them are just that — terrific people, and lovely to work with.

You seem as enthusiastic as ever about acting.

I always have a great time working. I so enjoy doing it. People say, “You’re going to work.” And I think, “No, the work is in looking for work.” After you get it, you’re just going to play. So these are situations where I’m just having a great time, and hoping that everybody around me is having just as wonderful a time.