Jay Baruchel is Hollywood's hot new anti-hunk

March 25, 2010 5:13 PM ET

Move over, Seth Rogan and Jason Segel. Jay Baruchel has become the new blockbuster nerd.

The star of Dreamworks' new animated adventure film, "How to Train Your Dragon," (opens March 26) talks exclusively about how much his cat (Mary Manu) looks like his onscreen dragon, voice-over boot camp, working with Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson and America Ferrera and the movie's message (embrace your uniqueness).

"The movie is an analogy for artsy kids in high school because it's like the point of the movie is that all the things you believe when you're young are your failings -- reading comics and recording songs at home in your closet -- those are the things that when you get out of high school, will set you apart and you end up being proud of those things."

Jay should know. He spent his childhood writing scary stories and dreaming of becoming a horror movie director.

He's been playing second fiddle in "Million Dollar Baby," "Tropic Thunder," "She's Out of Your League," "Knocked Up" and "Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist." Now he stars in the upcoming "The Sorcerer's Apprentice," and is starring in "Johnny Klutz," a live-action movie from Universal about an accident-prone superhero (his concept) who is impervious to pain.

But we'll let him tell you about his "Klutz" passion project, his inspiration for physical comedy, his admiration for David Cronenberg, and how he "geeked out" and picked Brian DePalma's brain for five hours on a plane.