In the recently released film The Promotion, Seann William Scott stars as Doug, a 33-year-old assistant grocery store manager up for a promotion. Playing opposite him is John C. Reilly's Richard, the slightly older Canadian man who arrives on the scene just in time to also slip into the running for the position. And together, they bring to life the story of two men in search of success, in pursuit of financial stability, and in the middle of learning what it actually means to be a man.

While the movie is filled with sharp comedy, its story is also deeply human and surprisingly touching. And the same could be said of Scott's portrayal of Doug. He may be most well-known for playing the exaggeratedly immature Steve Stifler of American Pie, but in The Promotion, Scott proves that he also knows how to give a character both depth and heart.

Courtesy of a San Francisco publicist, I was able to sit down and talk with Scott while he was in town for a local screening of the film. During our twenty minute chat, we spoke about not only his experience making The Promotion, but also about his own life, his family, and why he feels blessed.

HollywoodJesus: Well, to start off, I really loved The Promotion. I thought it was just a really great film dealing with issues that we face on a daily basis that are a reality for a lot of people in our country, but doing so in a lighter way and humorous way that gives hope to the story&ellips;

Seann William Scott: Well, thank you. I agree.

HJ: I felt like one of the main things that the movie dealt with was the idea of success, and these two men striving for success and kind of redefining and exploring what success means to them along the way. I'm curious, what does success mean to you? How do you define success? And did making this movie make you rethink that definition at all?

SWS : Well, that's a great question. I think that I was going through a period in my life where I was really starting to grow up in a big way. I've always been pretty serious about what I do and who I am. I'm not a very careless guy, as much as I like to have fun. But I was going through serious life issues, family issues, where I started to look at what's really important in life.

HJ: Okay.

SWS: And as far as the movie? I think you really nailed it. I don't think I could even explain what this movie's about better than how you said it. I wish I had talked to you earlier today, so that I could explain it better. I think for me, what success is is doing the best you can and feeling good about it. When it comes to doing movies, getting a part is great. The only reason why I really like to do this is that I like to take a risk. And sometimes the movies that I've done haven't allowed me to do that, movies like Dukes of Hazard or Mr. Woodcock, or other movies that aren't so good. They don't allow me to do what I like to do, which is to go into a theater the weekend it opens, and hear how people react to the things you create.

HJ: I bet that's exciting.

SWS: It really is why I do it. I want to hear how people respond to it. Especially if I kind of rewrite some stuff. To me that's why I want to do movies. I never really wanted to make money or be recognized, 'cause I never had money and I was never recognized. I just wanted to make people feel the same way that I feel when I see a movie that allows me to forget about the things that stress me out in my days. So that's, to me, real success, to be able to have the chance to do that, specifically to my job.

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