Eric André Says Jesse Eisenberg Offered Him Kieran Culkin’s Oscar-Winning ‘Real Pain’ Role

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If it weren’t for Eric André, Kieran Culkin might not have won his 2025 Oscar. 

Prior to casting Jesse Eisenberg‘s co-star from Succession, Benji Kaplan, for his 2024 comedy-drama A Real Pain, Eisenberg initially extended the offer to comedian André. Although André was pleased by the invitation, he declined the role as he found the movie concept “extremely depressing” and felt it didn’t fit within his acting range or interests.

Two years ago, Kieran Culkin’s role was offered to me by Jesse Eisenberg,” André explained on Andrew Santino’s Whiskey Ginger podcast. “I responded, ‘That seems incredibly depressing and not something I’d be interested in.’

Upon finishing the script, André mused to himself, “Going to Poland for six weeks to film a movie about the Holocaust that mainly consists of talking seems quite gloomy.” Despite eventually earning Culkin his first Academy Award, the comedian didn’t foresee the film’s success in the 2025 award season and declined the role, wishing Eisenberg good luck with the project.

As a gamer, I found myself in a similar situation when someone suggested something exciting, yet not quite fitting my current needs. I replied, “Thanks for the offer! I’m certain it’ll be fantastic, but I don’t believe that’s what I’m seeking at this moment.”

Later, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of regret when I heard about the success of that role I turned down. However, it’s important to remember that opportunities come and go, and they aren’t always constant in my gaming journey.

Apart from his triumph at the 2025 Oscars, Culkin additionally bagged the SAG Award and the Independent Spirit Award for his role as Benji in “A Real Pain“. Eisenberg penned, guided, and played a part in this film alongside Culkin. The narrative revolves around two cousins who reunite to honor their grandmother by paying tribute to her.

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2025-04-06 03:24