Explain why Grover is on crutches?
Brandon T. Jackson: It’s a disguise. You think in the beginning he is a kid who is disabled. He gets rid of them. It’s like Superman has his suit – mine is throwing the crutches away and ripping off the pants.

How hard was it to act knowing that bits of your body would be added by CGI later?
I had to wear ballet shoes and tights with orange dots so they could draw the legs in. I had to create a walk like walking on tippy-toes. You’re on the sets with all those beautiful people and I’m trying to be cool, although the special effects guys did a great job of drawing the legs in.

Is there a lot of comedy in your role?
I was able to pull a kind of Will Smith – be serious but still be funny in the movie.

Did you know about the books?
My sisters left them lying around the house and when I told them I was auditioning for Grover they went beserk, they went crazy, they were like ‘Oh my God you’re gonna be Grover’ and I said ‘Slow down, I didn’t get it yet’. So when I got the script I went back and read the books and I fell in love with them, but at the same time I love how Chris had his own vision for the movie – he made it a bit edgier and fun. I have a tattoo that says “believe” in Greek so when they saw me they knew I was right for the part. I feel it was kind of destiny that I was meant to get this part.

Satyrs can be pretty rambunctious in Greek mythology can’t they?
I have a romance with Rosario Dawson’s character (Persephone). They are rambunctious and I’m kinda like that in real life. He is definitely a ladies’ man. I think most comedians like Jamie Foxx are satyrs in some way, so I tried to play him cool in that way.

Who is your favourite Greek god?
Poseidon. Zeus is kinda scary with the lightning bolts and all but there is something cool about Poseidon with the water. I think to be the god of water is very intriguing because it’s so essential to life.

Do you feel the movie Tropic Thunder put you on the map?
I guess I stick out in every movie – it’s always “Who’s that guy?” Robert Downey really taught me so much and in this film I learned so much from Pierce Brosnan and Uma Thurman.

Do you still do stand up?
I can do clean and dirty. I came up at a young age. I have a young following and an older following so I am still working out where I want to be. It gets harder when you are in a movie, because more people have expectations of you but I love to do it. I love comedy but I really love acting, and I would like to do more of that and also be able to do more drama.

What are your favourite movies?
I love Pirates of the Caribbean and Pulp Fiction. I love movies like that. I watch so many movies on DVDs – I can watch 10 movies a day when I’m not working.