Kristen Wiig, Zach Galifianakis Talk Breaking Character at ‘Masterminds’ Premiere

While much of America was glued to the first Presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, Relativity Studios rolled out a black carpet on Monday night for the “Masterminds” premiere at the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood.

Absent Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones and producer Lorne Michaels – who were needed in New York City for this weekend’s 42nd season premiere of “Saturday Night Live” – stars Kristen Wiig, Zach Galifianakis, Owen Wilson and Mary Elizabeth Ellis gathered to celebrate the long-gestating Jared Hess-helmed film.

Galifianakis was joined on the carpet by David Ghantt, the real-life ex-con he plays in the film. He explained to Variety that the first time they sat down to meet over lunch in Santa Monica, he was instantly able to find the good in the bank robber’s DNA.

“It was easy to have empathy for him,” Galifianakis explained to Variety. “David is actually a very sweet guy.”

Meanwhile, the rest of the cast shared that they sometimes found it hard to keep a straight face around the “Between Two Ferns” host during shooting on the film’s Asheville, NC, set.

“It’s very hard to work opposite Zach, and not break character,” Wiig said, laughing out loud slightly at the mere thought of her co-star’s antics.

Wiig dazzled on the particularly sweltering Southern California evening in a multi-colored Marc Jacobs gown and Wilson appeared ever the dapper gentlemen in a white suit.

Following the screening, the crowd poured across the street to the after-party at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, which was set up to replicate three different scenes from the film – a Mexico-themed main room complete with gourmet taco bars, a “King Conch” (aka: Under the Sea themed) second room, and a bank vault themed dessert bar.

“Masterminds” bows Sept. 30.

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