Melissa Leo, 'Why Stop Now' Star, On Her Busy Career, 'Hunger Games' And Winning An Oscar

There's a reason Melissa Leo has 13 films tentatively scheduled for some kind of release between now and 2014: "I like to work," Leo told HuffPost Entertainment. "I just like to work."

No kidding. From indies like "Francine" to awards contenders like "Flight," Leo is becoming a permanent fixture at the multiplex here in 2012. (She's on television as well: Leo also memorably appeared on this season's "Louie.") Out this week is the indie comedy "Why Stop Now," where Leo stars opposite Jesse Eisenberg, Tracy Morgan and Isiah Whitlock Jr. The film -- which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival back in January -- shows off a lighter side of Leo, who is best known for her serious roles in films like "Frozen River," "Mildred Pierce" and "The Fighter," the latter of which won her an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 2010.

In "Why Stop Now" (based on the 2008 short film "Predisposed"), Leo plays Penny, a drug addict being taken to rehab by her son Eli (Eisenberg), a piano prodigy. The problem? The rehab center won't accept her without health insurance unless she's actively high. Hijinks ensue as Eli tries to score his mother drugs before getting to an audition that could change his life forever.

"He's a smart boy," Leo said of Eisenberg. In addition to the shoot, the pair became better acquainted during awards season in 2010, when Eisenberg was Oscar nominated for "The Social Network": "The relationship you see on screen began to develop as we went to those parties and I met him," she said.

Leo spoke to HuffPost Entertainment about "Why Stop Now," how her career has changed since winning an Oscar, and why Tom Cruise is "super human."

You had co-starred in "Predisposed," but what made you want sign on for the feature-length adaptation?
When a young man [Phil Dorling] has written a role for you and actually gets the go-ahead to shoot the movie, how could you not show up and do it, right? That's what happened! By the time we got to Upstate New York to shoot it, we had Jesse Eisenberg, and I would play his mother or his lover or his little sister, anything [laughs]. He's so delightful to work with. We also had Tracy Morgan and Isiah Whitlock Jr., so it's really quite an ensemble to participating with and dipping out to something lighter than my usual fare.

Between this and your appearance on "Louie," you've begun to do more comedy. Is that a genre you're looking to try more of?
With "Why Stop Now," it's just the way it came out. Originally it was a darker film, a more serious film for the most part, but it seemed, perhaps, too dark a subject for financing to feel that it would be sold. So, "How funny could we make it?" So the stroke of genius of putting Tracy and Isiah in the car with us shifted the tone of the film but not the story.

"Louie," I had seen exactly what I was being asked to say. I thought, "OK, Meliss, let's give it a try." I had so much fun. Those funny people are really such deep and amazing people. What Louis C.K. is doing there is his own; it's different and fascinating because of that.

How has your career changed since winning an Oscar?
There's a certain amount of respect, which is lovely, and with it comes a certain amount of responsibility to hit a mark that I'm expected to now. Which I've never had; I've always gone under the radar and was just able to do what I do. But I've never shied away from a challenge, and if it's more of a challenge than that's what it'll be. As I look at the roles of the past two and a half years, they're all pretty much "Melissa Leo roles," but I think it's boundless in a way. I could do anything almost! [Before the Oscar, there was a lot of] "Who is she?" Now, I find in the roles I'm being asked to do, there's a continuance of that. Which is great.

You've got 13 films coming out between now and 2014. Do you prefer doing small indies like "Why Stop Now" or big productions like "Oblivion"?
Every job has some kind of ticket for me. For years and years it was simply that they'd ask me. At this point, when there's a little more choice in the matter for me, there's places to go. I shot something in Romania primarily to go to Romania. I had such a great time on this fascinating film with Shia LaBeouf ["The Necessary Death of Charlie Countryman"]. So you never know what's in store; you have to remain open to whatever seems like the best film.

It was rumored that you were up for a role in "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire."
Oh, honey. If every single role I was up for was on the internet, we couldn't even begin the interview; you'd still be reading it. Long ago, I learned to discard the hope until I get a call from the costume designer. Once they put the costume together, you can be sure the company is going to try like heck to get you onboard. [Ed. note: Before this interview was conducted, Leo spoke about missing out on playing Mags in "Catching Fire" with Moviefone. You can check out her thoughts here.]

You worked with Tom Cruise in "Oblivion." Do you have a Tom Cruise story? Bill Hader recently shared a charming anecdote about how he helped him get home on short notice.
Tom is a total delight -- a completely professional actor, as is well known about him. The two words I use to describe him are "super human." He is a mortal being who has had opportunity and ability to train his mind and his body in ways people could hope to do a fifth of in their lives.

The biggest story in all of it -- with all the questions that have come and will come about working him -- is that it was another day on another set with another actor. The joy and pleasure we get from giving to one another. I'm not even actually physically in the film. You'll see me, but on a video screen. Which is as much as I'll say about my role.

You're also in "Flight," which has a lot of buzz surrounding it because it's Robert Zemeckis' first live-action film since 2000. What was he like on set?
I do a lot of smaller films and I love working that way, but I love getting on the set with a professional director and a professional team, like Bob Zemeckis. Oh my God. So set up, so clear -- what I needed to know, I knew -- taken care of by his departments. We shot it in two days? Maybe it was one day. Sort of the climax of the film. Just a great day of shooting. Really great.

"Why Stop Now" is out in limited release on Aug. 17.

Check out photos of celebrities at Sundance 2012 below:

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Sundance 2012
Lil Jon and Redfoo of LMFAO attend the T-Mobile Presents Google Music at TAO, a nightlife event at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
Sundance 2012
Actors Laura Prepon and Danny Masterson attend Open House at Bing Bar held at Bing Bar during the 2012 Sundance Film Festival on January 19, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
Sundance 2012
Actor Aaron Paul attends Comedy with Aziz Ansari and a Drake Performance presented by Bing at The Bing Bar on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
Sundance 2012
Actress Angela Kinsey (L) attend Day 2 of T-Mobile Google Music Village at The Lift on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
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Producer Peter Jackson (L) and Damien Echols attend Day 2 of T-Mobile Google Music Village at The Lift on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
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Paris Hilton,and Redfoo of LMFAO perform at the T-Mobile Presents Google Music at TAO, a nightlife event at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
Sundance 2012
Roberto Zincone, Malin Akerman, and Jamie Chung attend the T-Mobile Presents Google Music at TAO, a nightlife event at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
Sundance 2012
Actor Donald Faison attends Comedy with Aziz Ansari and a Drake Performance presented by Bing at The Bing Bar on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
Sundance 2012
Actor Nate Parker, actress Laetitia Casta, director Nicholas Jarecki, and actor Richard Gere attend day 1 of The Variety Studio at The 2012 Sundance Film Festival at Variety Studio on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
Sundance 2012
Rapper Lil Jon attends the T-Mobile Presents Google Music at TAO, a nightlife event at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
Sundance 2012
Cuba Gooding Jr.(R) and guest attend Comedy with Aziz Ansari and a Drake Performance presented by Bing at The Bing Bar on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
Sundance 2012
Cuba Gooding Jr. and Aziz Ansari perform at Comedy with Aziz Ansari and a Drake Performance presented by Bing at The Bing Bar on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
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Drake and Quincy Jones attend Comedy with Aziz Ansari and a Drake Performance presented by Bing at The Bing Bar on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
Sundance 2012
Ben Flajnik attends Comedy with Aziz Ansari and a Drake Performance presented by Bing at The Bing Bar on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
Sundance 2012
Aubrey Plaza attends Comedy with Aziz Ansari and a Drake Performance presented by Bing at The Bing Bar on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
Sundance 2012
Aziz Ansari and Drake attend Comedy with Aziz Ansari and a Drake Performance presented by Bing at The Bing Bar on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
Sundance 2012
Actor Will Forte attends Comedy with Aziz Ansari and a Drake Performance presented by Bing at The Bing Bar on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
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Actress Maria Menounos attends Day 2 of T-Mobile Google Music Village at The Lift on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
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Director Quentin Dupieux and actress Alexis Dziena attend the 'Wrong' Premiere and party at Fuego Pizzeria during the 2012 Sundance Film Festival on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
Sundance 2012
Actress Rebecca Hall attends the 'Lay the Favorite' premiere during the 2012 Sundance Film Festival held at Eccles Center Theatre on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
Sundance 2012
Actresses Laura Prepon and Rebecca Hall attend the 'Lay the Favorite' premiere during the 2012 Sundance Film Festival held at Eccles Center Theatre on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
Sundance 2012
Actor Bruce Willis during an interview at the 'Lay the Favorite' premiere during the 2012 Sundance Film Festival held at Eccles Center Theatre on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
Sundance 2012
Actor James Marsden attends the T-Mobile Presents Google Music at TAO, a nightlife event at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
Sundance 2012
Actress Lake Bell attends the 'Black Rock' premiere during the 2012 Sundance Film Festival held at Library Center Theater on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
Sundance 2012
Actress Kate Bosworth attends the 'Black Rock' premiere during the 2012 Sundance Film Festival held at Library Center Theater on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
Sundance 2012
Skylar Grey performs at the T-Mobile Presents Google Music at TAO, a nightlife event at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
Sundance 2012
Actress Allison Janney attends the T-Mobile Presents Google Music at TAO, a nightlife event at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
Sundance 2012
Actress Emma Roberts attends the T-Mobile Presents Google Music at TAO, an exclusive four-night concert series at Sundance to celebrate the launch of the new Google Music Magnifier program on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
Sundance 2012
Actress Emma Roberts attends the T-Mobile Presents Google Music at TAO, an exclusive four-night concert series at Sundance to celebrate the launch of the new Google Music Magnifier program on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
Sundance 2012
Musician Tyler Hilton attends Day 2 of Nintendo 3DS Experience Lounge on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
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Actor Michael Cera attends Day 2 of Nintendo 3DS Experience Lounge on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
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(L-R) Actress Cheryl Hines and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. attend Day 2 of T-Mobile Google Music Village at The Lift on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
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Actors William H. Macy (L) and Corbin Bernsen (R) attend The 'Lay the Favorite' Official Cast and Filmmakers Dinner presented by Bing at The Bing Bar on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
Sundance 2012
Actress Megan Park attends SOREL At VEVO PowerStation & SOREL Suite featuring The Fresh Lounge Presented by Continuum Entertainment Group at 427 Main St. on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
Sundance 2012
Actor Nolan Gould attends SOREL At VEVO PowerStation & SOREL Suite featuring The Fresh Lounge Presented by Continuum Entertainment Group at 427 Main St. on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
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(L-R) Rapper Lil Jon, musician Cisco Adler and Snowboarder Jeremy McCassy attend Day 2 of Oakley Learn To Ride Fueled by Muscle Milk and Lounge on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
Sundance 2012
PARK CITY, UT - JANUARY 21: Rapper Lil Jon attends Day 2 of Oakley Learn To Ride Fueled by Muscle Milk and Lounge on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
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Actress AnnaLynne McCord attends Day 2 of the Puma Social Lounge at T-Mobile Google Music Village at The Lift on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
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Actors Anne Heche (L) and Lou Diamond Phillips attend day 1 of The Variety Studio at The 2012 Sundance Film Festival at Variety Studio on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
Sundance 2012
Actress Malin Akerman attends Day 2 of Nintendo 3DS Experience Lounge on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
Sundance 2012
Actor Scott Wolf attends Day 2 of Nintendo 3DS Experience Lounge on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
Sundance 2012
PARK CITY, UT - JANUARY 21: (C) Actor Nolan Gould and the Snow Sugar Girls attend Day 2 of Chefdance Cafe at 427 Main St. on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
Sundance 2012
PARK CITY, UT - JANUARY 21: Actress Liv Tyler attends the Stella Cafe At T-Mobile Google Music Village At The Lift - Day 2 - during the Sundance Film Festival on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
Sundance 2012
Actress Sigourney Weaver attends the Stella Cafe At T-Mobile Google Music Village At The Lift - Day 2 - during the Sundance Film Festival on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
Sundance 2012
Actress Tinsley Mortimer attends Day 2 of T-Mobile Google Music Village at The Lift on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
Sundance 2012
Actor Geoffrey Arend and actress Lizzy Caplan attend Day 1 of The Variety Studio at The 2012 Sundance Film Festival at Variety Studio on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
Sundance 2012
Actor Martin Starr attends day 1 of The Variety Studio at The 2012 Sundance Film Festival at Variety Studio on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
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Actor Elijah Wood DJ's at the 'Celeste and Jesse Forever' dinner held at Acura Studio on January 20, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
Sundance 2012
Actress Emma Roberts attends the 'Celeste and Jesse Forever' dinner held at Acura Studio on January 20, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
Sundance 2012
Actress Ari Graynor attends the 'Celeste and Jesse Forever' dinner held at Acura Studio on January 20, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)
Sundance 2012
Actor Chris Messina, Director Lee Toland Krieger, Producer Quincy Jones, writer/actor Will McCormack and actor Eric Christian Olsen attend the 'Celeste and Jesse Forever' dinner held at Acura Studio on January 20, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Getty)