Hollywood isn’t hurting for “yes” men just waiting to spout ego-stroking compliments, but for Ashton Kutcher, he’d rather hear the truth about his work – even when it’s uncomfortable.
“I know exactly what films I’ve done that f***ing suck donkey, and I know the ones that are good,” Ashton told Esquire in an interview for their March issue. “I know it not because of the box office, because the box office is not going to tell you the truth — I know it because I have friends that don’t hold back.
“They don’t depend on me for money or employment. They’re just friends,” he continued. “Friends tell the truth.”
The 35-year-old star, who plays the late Steve Jobs in the upcoming biopic, “jOBS ,” also said he prefers to “fail fast,” as the biggest hurdle usually precedes the brightest breakthrough – though sometimes it can be hard to know which is which while in the thick of things.
“That’s when you have to surround yourself with brutally honest people who will be like, ‘Dude, you suck at this. Stop,’” Ashton – who is dating former “That ‘70s Show” co-star Mila Kunis — said. “I know who these people are in my life. Partners, friends, coworkers. You have a movie and you show it to them, and if it sucks you want them to be like, ‘Dude, that kind of blows.’”
“jOBS” is slated for theatrical release on April 19.
— Erin O’Sullivan
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