WEB EXTRA: The Bill is due

St. Louis must seem like a million relaxing miles away from the pressures of Hollywoodland.

Aaron Eckhart, the star of “Meet Bill,” which opens locally in theaters on Friday, April 4, was calm, cheery and cool during an interview at the new Four Seasons hotel in Downtown St. Louis Wednesday afternoon.

His demeanor was quite in contrast with his character, Bill, stuck in a midlife rut with a lifeless marriage and a job working for his father- and brother-in-law, where he's browbeaten and degraded.

Bill appears uncomfortable in his own skin, which literally twitches as he experiences another dreaded moment of “family” at the start of the film. Ultimately, Eckhart explained, the film can be seen as inspirational after a series of events helps encourage Bill to shed his skin and start seeking happiness. Happiness that could come with opening his own donut shop.

“I say to people, 'I want to hear your dream, but I don't want to hear a “but.” I don't want you to doubt when you're telling me your dream.' It's difficult for people to do that. They cannot do that. They feel embarrassed, ashamed, humiliated. They feel they can't do it, or their parents beat it into them or their associates or wife or kids, whoever.

“And as soon as you're able to get someone to do that or that person is able to fly free and let those out, you can see that he or she is a completely different person.”

Watching the flick, St. Louis audiences might get distracted while thinking of their own nearly forgotten dreams - or they might start recognizing landmarks.

“Hey, is that Shaw Nature Preserve?” “I think that's in the Galleria!” “That's Dick's Sporting Goods; I know it.”

“Meet Bill” was filmed in the St. Louis area over three months during summer 2006, when Eckhart found a real affinity for the area.

While staying at the Chase Park Plaza during filming, he walked the streets of the Central West End, checked out City Museum, hit Busch Stadium for a Cards game and enjoyed the tastes of the city - mostly unencumbered by his celebrity status.

“I had a few days off and a car, so I went about two hours out and was riding horses and jumping in the water and having picnics,” Eckhart said.

The star of films like “Thank You for Smoking,” “In the Company of Men” and “No Reservations” said he was surprised and impressed by the architectural styles of the city.

“It seemed to me like a very wealthy city; seemed greener than I imagined. It's got a good park system - wonderful parks. I just thought it was beautiful,” he added.

“Meet Bill” co-stars Jessica Alba - who filled in for Lindsay Lohan, who dropped out last minute - and familiar character actors like Todd Louiso (“Jerry Maguire,” “High Fidelity) and cast members from “Saturday Night Live,” Kristin Wiig and Jason Sudeikis (who play the recurring “Two A-holes” characters on the long-running comedy show).

In “Bill,” Eckhart quickly discovers his life is unraveling. His wife, played by Elizabeth Banks, is cheating with Chip, a local TV news reporter (Timothy Olyphant), a scenario which offers cameos from KPLR Channel 11's news van as well as anchor Rick Edlund.

“If life is all about confidence and self-esteem and self-respect and being happy and being who you are - this whole quest in the new age - Bill has none of that,” Eckhart said. “That's what the great thing about this movie is; it's the beginning of who he is.”

Bill unwittingly becomes a hometown favorite when he's caught on News 11's camera attacking Chip - twice. And he begrudgingly becomes a mentor to a pot-smoking, ladies-underwear-obsessed teen played by Logan Lerman.

It's through his time letting loose with the Kid, as the character is credited, that Bill starts shedding the skin of his old self - almost literally.

At one point Bill decides to start shaving his entire body, essentially, in a locker room shower.

“I made a mistake, which is I didn't shave before we did it. I actually shaved on camera,” he said. “Here I am just shaving it off and it was quite grotesque doing it and I'm sure it's quite grotesque in the film.

“I think it's symbolic of being lighter and sleeker. And new skin.”

Eckhart said it would be easier for someone like him, unmarried and without kids, to begin anew - but the prospect is still terrifying.

“If I did not like to act, it would be scary to try and start all over again,” he said.

But if he did, photojournalism, like shooting fashion or out in the jungles of Africa, compels the actor.

“I don't want to get killed. I want to cover something like that. I might do it on my own, go to Antarctica, go to Africa. I might sit home and watch Nascar,” he laughed. “The thing about it is getting off the couch and going and doing it; putting the fire underneath you and really acting on it. I really admire people who do that.”

But before Eckhart follows his dream behind the lens, there's one role in front of the camera that has comic book and movie geeks buzzing online: Harvey Dent in the new Batman flick, “The Dark Knight,” slated for release on July 18.

The sequel sees director Christopher Nolan and star Christian Bale return and Heath Ledger's take on the Joker is already one of legend. Little is known about Eckhart's role as Dent, who is running for district attorney of Gotham City. Dent, as Bat-fans know, becomes the villain Two-Face after getting doused with acid.

So does Two-Face's half-burnt mug appear? Did Eckhart sign a super secrecy contract?

“You don't sign anything; you just know you're never gonna work again,” he said, flashing a knowing grin. “You could be killed.”

While he doesn't know what exactly to expect on the big screen, Eckhart has full confidence in Nolan, who scored raves for “Batman Begins.” “He's gonna rock this thing.”

Here's what he can share about “The Dark Knight”: “This is not a CGI movie. This is not a movie made in a studio. We were on location. We did the stunts,” he said. “This movie's a real gritty, growling tale about justice and injustice. Batman is psychologically full and he's physically full, and so is every character in the movie. Heath gives an amazing performance. And Christian and Gary (Oldman). I'm really proud of this movie. Chris is just a masterful director.”

“Meet Bill” is playing various theaters in and around St. Louis. Check listings for show times.

You can e-mail Corey Stulce at frozo85@yahoo.com.