'Empire Records' Star Johnny Whitworth Recalls 'Set' Shenanigans for 25th Anniversary | toofab

The actor looks back at playing AJ in the 1995 film, reflecting on the movie's cult classic status and sharing some stories from the set.

[@lifespectator9919]

I was an extra on that movie, limited to a couple of scenes shot on location in downtown Wilmington in October of 1994. One example of the "shenanigans" off the set was when Ethan Embry (Mark) pulled out a BB gun at a local Walmart and got arrested for it (today he would have suffered a different fate, but that happened pre-Columbine). As for the scenes I was present for, director Allen Moyle seemed to make them up on the spot; one example of major plot deviation was when they had Rex Manning join the band on the balcony for "Say No More" before he is hauled off in handcuffs by the police (that made it into the Deleted Scenes on the movie DVD).

[@jeffk.9075]

Still 25 years later in my top 5 films.

[@Ok_Loren]

I have this on a really old VHS! (and digital) My friends and I quote it all the time. I wish we had more movies and music like this now.

[@MrPHUCKYOURSELF]

I’m 36 and I used to watch the shit outta this on hbo or Cinemax whatever cable movie channel always played this after it came out. I was 11-12 in 1995 I have it on dvd. Cult classic for sure

[@ryankittelson82]

This has always been my favorite movie. Been with my wife 15 years and this is the movie I made her watch with me when we first hung out. Always will be that movie to me.

[@chrisborden5835]

One of my favorite movies of all time! I live in Wilmington and had no idea it was filmed here!!

[@BevinBobele-ik2gu]

I used to work for Tower Records in the San Fernando Valley when I was 19. This was one of my favorite films when I was 15 and I read that the writer used to work for Tower. And I can contest that the entire vibe is spot on. If anyone can confirm this though I would be much obliged.

[@4G63Tx]

Dude Tower was just a whole piece of pop culture from the time in and to itself. Even here in Texas, Tower stores were so amazing and unique, they were THE place to go when you wanted to find out about new music. It wasn’t just a store, it was a place to mingle with people that were into music. God I miss the 90s and all of those experiences that are just nonexistent today. Technology has made everything more convenient and accessible but it’s come with a great cost. And one that we can never get back I think. If I could, I would gladly trade it all for what we used to have

[@calisongbird]

I think you mean “confirm,” not “contest.” 😏

[@4G63Tx]

Wow he looks fantastic!! Jeeze this dude is aging very gracefully good for him

[@mid264]

"They don't make movies like that anymore" TRUTH 🥲 An everlasting feeling from the 90s

[@mikeflo6459]

25 years, wow. Great movie and it will continue to thrive. Awesome

[@ginnalevine5519]

One of my favorite films ever.

[@ironman2326]

I always love the movie, since I was a teenager back in the 90s

[@JT-ok6re]

He is so right! They don't make movies like that anymore and it's a shame 😢 because they become these cult classics.

[@emilymartian]

OMG they’re making a Broadway play?! I was a featured extra in the movie, it was a blast to film and definitely still well loved in Wilmington, NC

[@nicholaswetzel7119]

Oh cool! What scenes can we spot you?

[@emilymartian]

Yeah I’m in the background a couple times. The easiest to spot me would be in the dance scene at the end. I basically back bump into Liv while she was yelling up to Johnny. A lot of the young actors & actresses partied with my friends. Ethan Embry was the sweetest fellow. We saw his mom at the library and I think they were super excited about him passing his drivers test. Omg I’m getting old 😂

[@pendafen7405]

@@emilymartian how awesome, sounds like a blast to have worked on and a really sweet memory. It's lovely to know Ethan really is that nice. Did you actually interact with any of the main cast, or notice anything interesting about their interactions?

[@emilymartian]

@@pendafen7405yeah I interacted with a few of them Ethan was absolutely the friendliest. Liv made out with one of my lesbian friends and told me she really liked my hair, my sister was on set one day when Rory apparently came busting through a door with two big dildos in his hands. If I recall they were possible props from Thelma and Louise. Renee Z kept flubbing her lines during the scene where she guesses Rex’s underwear, you can see it in her face as the scene cuts. At the time most of use were annoyed because we kept having to reshoot. I know that Ethan ran around the studio lot planting “special” seeds 😂

[@pendafen7405]

@@emilymartian this is amazing and so chaotic, more than I had hoped it would be 💀💀💀💀💀💀 thank you for making an excellent movie even better

[@kiwilala2037]

I remember staring at his picture in the CD fold out. oh my I had such a Crush.

[@roypharoah]

Bro 25 years later and seriously the best movie ever made

[@Ryan-vg4wn]

Man i loved this movie when i was younger.

[@luciaalonso1696]

I have a huge crush on AJ Arfhhhhgfd

[@joylifestyle365]

I love it! The best movie! I would watch it over and over with my best girlfriend in 9th grade. I had a major crush on him.

[@savoir777faire]

I had no idea it was filmed in Wilmington North Carolina!! 😎 cool!

[@krisfrederick5001]

Captain O'Hagan :" I swear to God I'll pistol whip the next guy who says "Shenanigans." Mac : "Hey Farva what's the name of that restaurant you like with all the goofy shit on the walls and the mozzarella sticks?" Farva : "You mean Shenanigans? You're talking about Shenanigans right?" -Super Troopers

[@dajosee]

Great head of hair

[@septemberheidi8919]

Holy hell is he still hot 😍

[@mikecantreed]

Was this the dude who gave Bradley cooper the NZT in limitless?

[@lindazelencova9127]

Love that movie 😍

[@creolefemme9829]

Still have my VHS!

[@bevinbobele9958]

197 has been my luckiest number since I worked at Tower Records.

[@AmberAlley]

Ha! I worked on this (way, way behind the camera) and it may be a good thing Johnny didn't go into detail about the "shenanigans" 😎

[@pendafen7405]

oh now you can't just sip this tea and not pour some for us, tell us what went down sis

[@todayyesterday]

Had the biggest crush on Aj (Johnny Whitworth)

[@oasis4ever718]

Lucas and Mark were way hotter❤️

[@ironman2326]

He glued those quarters down

[@oasis4ever718]

What the hell for man!!🤣🤣

[@ironman2326]

@@oasis4ever718 he doesn't feel the need to explain his artwork to you🤣

[@civilizedsatyr]

He never did anything for me when he was younger, but now....hello, daddy!

[@dennispalacios5422]

Please make the same video with subtitles in spanish

[@remyazharyyosef1811]

I had [still have] the biggest crush on Johnny Whitworth. He's cute when he was younger and he's HOTTER now at his age.

[@seerattan]

this guy doesn´t age at all, same face when he was in bye bye love.

[@adventurefilms]

Empire Records was good, but I also liked Johnny in "Bye Bye Love"

[@film79]

Everyone in this cast still look great but this guy and Robin Turny look like they haven't aged.

[@orochigarach5796]

Give me Extavaganza pls. offer me your life i love you too...

[@mid264]

Bet he looks the same if he shaves... Amazing