John Travolta Goes Hog Wild In "Wild Hogs"

He Plays A Man Who Takes To The Road To Escape His Past In New Comedy

(CBS)  It has been 30 years since John Travolta's breakout movie role in "Saturday Night Fever" and since then he has done it all: drama like "Pulp Fiction," musicals like "Grease" and he returns to comedy in "Wild Hogs" this Friday.

The movie is about four middle aged friends who are conned by Travolta's character, Woody Stevens, into taking a cross-country trip. It's a strong cast of comedic veterans such as Martin Lawrence, Tim Allen and William H. Macy. They hop on motorcycles and take to the road. Hilarity ensues and they attempt to shed the strictures of their mundane suburban lives.

"My character has a few secrets before we — I get the idea I want to get out of town but I don't tell the guys what my secrets are," Travolta told The Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith. "And so they're just thinking we're doing it because we're bored with our jobs and want a little change in our lives. I inspire them to go on the road with me. And it's — it's a great, funny ride."

The four stars came to the project with very different personalities. Travolta said edgy comedian Lawrence was a gentleman.

"He was a middle brother, more of a sibling rivalry going on," Travolta said. "He was like the middle brother that was the balance of everybody. Tim Allen was the aggravator. You know, he would tease and antagonize, which was very important for the rapport. And Bill Macy was more like the eccentric … Wonderful friends, but I think that the brother feeling was more predominant."

The idea of middle-aged men grappling with getting older resonates with many men, but Travolta admits he can't relate to it very strongly. He has had the chance to do many things most people can never dream of.

"But I am a wanderer," Travolta said. "I like to get on the road and go. Probably the only thing I can relate to is I love machines, my motorcycles, I love my cars, my boats, my planes. And I want to get on the road. I've done that my whole life."

But other than that, Travolta said, "I'm too blessed to be stressed."

"I love my life," he said. "Celebrities by nature don't have a lot to complain about. But it doesn't mean we don't experience others and what they go through. And I identified enough with it to give you a good movie."

Travolta will also be starring in a remake of the musical "Hairspray" in which he plays Edna Turnblad, a very overweight middle-aged woman. Travolta said with all the makeup and hair, he looks like a combination of his sisters, Annie and Ellen.

"But if Annie ate Ellen," he said.

"Hairspray" comes out next year.

[olebd]

I can't get past his affiliation with the whole Scientology thing. I used to be a fan. Too bad.

[rafterman1]

Actually, John Travolta doesn't bother me with the Scientology thing. At least he's low key about it. It's Tom Cruise who creeps everyone out.

[Scooter68]

The Man may be a great comedian/actor but the Scientology thing is a big big problem. What other religion, even islam, keeps their inner workings in secret? What other religion seeks to destroy anyone who speaks out against after leaving the religion? (Islam perhaps but not in the same way) Scientology is truly a culty enitity that has enough money to be dangerous and the more stars that embrace it, the fewer movies I will see - My ticket may only put a few cents into that stars hands but I do not want to contribute any amount to such a dangerous and sick group. Actually Tom Cruise has been the best thing to happen in ages in terms of exposing Scientology for what it is.

[plowhandle]

The 'scientology (small 's', folks) thing' is the whole point with this talentless Ginzo.

Do you think paying thousands of dollars for e-metering and courses on how to remain focussed on your goals, written thirty years ago by a second-rate sci-fi hack under the influence of rum and uppers was going to grow any brains in Travolta's Vinne Barbarino cranium ?

Visit www.xenu.net and read all about the beliefs of the creeps in scientology's pantheon of fools.

[harp1963]

I have loved all of John Travolta's movies. He came up from where I have been my whole life. I also love the Italian Catholic boy that will always ooze out of him regardless of whatever religion he currently pratices. He reminds me of my good friend Joey Duco. All the best John.

[plowhandle]

How nice - but he's not a Catholic anymore...he's a cross-eyed scientologist that believes mankind was placed here on Earth by Aliens...and he also believes he (and his ilk of moneyed people who 'belong') is better than we are...that he is among the Chosen.

He oozes, allright - he oozes ********* from his lips.

Lookit the fakey face he puts on for morning television. It's like he's scientology's "Happy Boi" since they realized we weren't buying the Tom Cruise=Str8 Guy story.

Creepier by far than Tiny Tom Cruise's scowl and smirk.