Will Poulter brought a distinct blend of chaotic energy and dark humor to his role in the 2013 road comedy We're the Millers. His performance as a volatile young drug dealer helped define the film's tone.
Below is a detailed breakdown of his involvement and on screen age during production, designed for clarity and quick reference.
Character Profile: David Clark
Will Poulter plays David Clark, a self centered pot dealer who assembles a fake family to smuggle drugs across the Mexican border. His age during filming shaped the reckless swagger and raw impulsiveness the character displays.
| Project | We're the Millers |
|---|---|
| Actor | Will Poulter |
| Character | David Clark |
| Age at Start of Production | 19 years old |
| Age at Time of Release | 20 years old |
| Real Age During Filming | 19, turning 20 |
| Performance Notes | Played a teenager with exaggerated immaturity and volatility |
On Set Age and Filming Timeline
Understanding Will Poulter's age on set explains how he balanced youthful unpredictability with the demands of a studio comedy. Production began while he was still a teenager.
Key Filming Dates
Principal photography took place in 2012, which placed Poulter at nineteen for most demanding shoots. By the time the film reached audiences, he had recently celebrated his twentieth birthday.
Performance Approach and Character Age
David Clark is written as a teenager operating outside of moral boundaries, and Poulter's actual age helped sell the authenticity of this reckless persona.
Playing a Teenager
Despite being only a few years older than his character, Will Poulter captured the hormonal impulsiveness and short temper expected of a young drug trafficker in a chaotic family business.
Audience Reception and Public Awareness
Moviegoers responded to the raw energy Poulter brought to the screen, even if many did not immediately know his exact age at the time.
Impact of Youthful Portrayal
The slightly unhinged swagger he displayed made the character more volatile and unpredictable, contributing significantly to the film's comedic friction and chemistry with the rest of the cast.
Career Context Around We're the Millers
This project represented a pivotal moment for Will Poulter, moving him from brief supporting roles to a high visibility lead performance in a mainstream comedy.
- Started production at age 19 and completed key scenes as a 20 year old
- Balanced chaotic character traits with enough charm to remain likable
- Established himself as a reliable leading man in studio comedies
- Set the stage for subsequent roles in both comedies and genre films
FAQ
Reader questions
How old was Will Poulter when filming started for We're the Millers?
He was 19 years old at the start of principal photography in 2012.
Did Will Poulter play a teenager or a young adult in the movie?
He played a teenager, specifically a reckless young drug dealer in his late teens.
Was Will Poulter the same age as his character during filming?
Yes, he was essentially the same age, turning 20 late in production while playing a high school aged David Clark.
How old was Will Poulter when We're the Millers was released in theaters?
He was 20 years old at the time of the film's wide release in August 2013.