Oliver Cooper Is This Year’s Biggest Movie “Dirtbag”

The Project X star reveals what it takes to be a jerk.

Dan Bergstein

May 31, 2012

The Project X star reveals what it takes to be a jerk.

If you’re going to be an asshole, be the world’s biggest asshole. That’s what made Oliver Cooper’s role of Costa in Project X award worthy. The movie is out on Blu-ray and DVD June 19, and Oliver’s been nominated for a coveted MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Dirtbag (alongside Jon Hamm from Bridesmaids, Bryce Dallas Howard for The Help, Colin Farrell for Horrible Bosses, and Jennifer Aniston…because she’s Jennifer Aniston.) Oliver talked to us about jerks, assholes and douchebags.

Hey Assholes Who Hated the Character…SUCK IT!

OLIVER COOPER: At first when I read the reviews of my character in Project X, some people loved the character, but some called him the most annoying character in the world. And that got to me at first, but then I started to have fun with it. It’s pretty cool to be nominated for that character. You gotta embrace it.

It’s An Honor Just to Be Nominated. But It’s a Mega-Honor to Win.

I know I’m going to win. I have a speech ready to go. It’s going to change the world. I can’t give you a little sample, because it’s going to be a surprise.

Real Dirtbags Campaign

[Oliver made his own campaign videos to win the award]

Yep. I’m campaigning to win. That’s what a real dirtbag would do. Jon Hamm is too good looking to win. I’m the ugliest dirtbag on the list. To be a true dirtbag you can’t be that good looking. Colin Farrell was ugly in Horrible Bosses, but in real life he’s good looking. I’m not only ugly in the movie – I’m ugly in real life too!

A Real Dirtbag Fakes It

I’m a sweetheart in real life. So I’m not a real dirtbag. I’m just one of the best actors. [Laughs] But I’ve lied many times. Sometimes I just lie for the sake of convenience.

Best Job in Hollywood

Making the movie was a like a party. It was one big blur. [Check out Maxim’s gallery of the girls from Project X.] The director (Nima Nourizadeh) made it feel like we were actually at a party. The only difference was that we were drinking fake alcohol.

Life Inspires Art

I knew a lot of dirtbags that I can draw from. Costa was based on my friend in high school. He was always the instigator, the kind of guy who would call me a pussy if I didn’t want to throw a party.

Best Movie Dirtbag

John Goodman in The Big Lebowski. I don’t consider him a true dirtbag, because he’s such a loveable guy. But he’s such a good asshole in that movie. He’s not trying to be mean, that’s just the world he knows.

He Could Be Lying…

I’m not a big partier in real life.