Hi reddit! I'm author/actor Ben McKenzie.
You may know me from THE OC, GOTHAM, JUNEBUG, BATMAN: YEAR ONE, SOUTHLAND, and other things.
My directorial debut, EVERYONE IS LYING TO YOU FOR MONEY, is based on a book I co-wrote, has played at lots of festivals, and is out in select theaters this weekend. It's a documentary that investigates what's really going on with crypto and the harm it has done to regular people everywhere.
Here's our trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEXxAOFqv4U
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Directed by: Ben McKenzie
Based on the Book: “Easy Money: Cryptocurrency, Casino Capitalism, and the Golden Age of Fraud” by Ben McKenzie & Jacob Silverman
Starring: Ben McKenzie, Morena Baccarin, Gerard Butler, Alex Mashinsky, Sam Bankman-Fried, Nayib Bukele
Synopsis: Actor and author Ben McKenzie investigates the lies, hype, and harm behind cryptocurrency’s rise – and who’s really paying the price.
Distributor: The Forge
Release Date: April 17, 2026
Poster: https://i.imgur.com/3mobcVg.jpeg
For tickets and more information: everyoneislying.com.
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AMA! I'll be answering your questions at 12 PM PT/3 PM ET today.
by BenMcKenzieAMA
37 Comments
How did you feel about there being no Batman in the show Gotham?
Did it make it easier to let Gordon’s story and character shine, or did it feel limiting and a drag on the show that, for a lot of the public, the largest interest about Gotham was not going to be in the show?
Hi Ben! Absolutely loved Gotham, own every season. My wife is an OC nut that got me into it. What was your favourite story line in Gotham and The OC?
Who was your favorite character on Gotham and why?
How do you feel being correct about Cryptocurrency all along?
Do you feel that people’s response after finding out Epstein is likely to be one of the creators of Bitcoin is enough, or does the backlash needs be be bigger?
Why didn’t you pull the car over? There was space 🥲
Cold white or warm white?
What’s up Atwood! How much do you still hate Oliver?
What’s your favourite band that played at The Bait Shop in The OC?
Olives? I’m thinking black for pizza, green for nibbles.
Hi Ben always been a fan of your work. It’s been a long time since I watched “The OC” premiere and I feel old.
In making your documentary did you come across any groups or people in the government that really understood how badly crypto can effect the economy long term?
Also does it seem like you’re swimming upstream with a documentary like this when the economy is struggling so much it’s creating a lot more desperate people who are more inclined to fall for these scams?
if you had to play a gotham character other than jim, who would you want to play and why?
Did you ever learn how its done in orange county?
Hey Ben!
I’m a huge fan of the show and I just wanna say, I met my best friend by watching the show. I said he looked like Oswald, he didn’t know what that was. He went and watched it and he loved it!
My question is, was there any storyline you really wanted to see happen on the show but got cut?
Is the OC as beautiful as the opening credits make it out to be?
Hi Ben, this isn’t a question but I just wanted to say thank you to you and everyone that was involved in The OC. The show came out in my teen years and I had severe mental health issues. There was a period where I was just on medication and going to and from appointments. In between all of that I found solace watching you play Ryan and all the others on the show. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me zone out for those few hours at a time so I could escape into this world that you helped build. I am doing much better now and have a partner and a son of my own. We still rewatch the series every year for nostalgia. Thank you Ben, looking forward to watching your new film, much love.
What was the craziest scene you filmed in Gotham? One that you may read on a script and say “that’s Nuts!”
Why didn’t you grow a moustache? Grabthatgem
Is Batman the most interesting hero? What draws you to the character?
how did you get both gerard and morena in your movie? did you meet them at the greenland premiere or something similar?
Oh man i just binged Southland and you were fantastic. Went from my favorite character to my absolute least favorite character – you did an amazing job!
Two questions 1. I did a film with Lawton Denis what was it like working with him on Gotham 2. I know you are hosting a interview film called Easy Money and I hosted and interview film about Barbie’s was it harder to play yourself than playing a role?
Hey Ben! Congratulations on the film! Glad to see Ryan still doesn’t like anything about rich kids lol.
Up until throughout the first season of The OC you were credited as Benjamin McKenzie and since the second season you’ve shortened it to Ben…why the switch?
And the couple obligatory questions: what was it like doing a mini-OC reunion with Michael Cassidy on Men at Work? Do you still keep in regular touch with anyone from the OC? With revivals being all the rage these days, would you be open to a legacy OC revival? Are all the OC questions annoying?
I’ll throw in a non-OC one to balance out: was it weird voicing Batman and then being called up to play James Gordon a few years later?
Take care and have a wonderful time with the film!
Hi Ben! I look forward to seeing your documentary exposing crypto for the scam that it is! But I am also a HUGE fan of Gotham, and even got the complete series box set for Christmas this year. I’m sure there were a lot of really great times while filming the show. What would you consider the most special memory you made over the course of those 5 awesome seasons?
How awesome is Peter Gallagher to hang out with in real life?
Hi, would love to hear your thoughts on the relation between the AI bubble and crypto. Btw, love your work.
Is there any value in NFTs, or are they just utter nonsense bordering on fraud?
Hi!
I’m an actor and want to know:
How far down the cast list do you personally select actors? Like, at what point do you give it to an AD to handle — or do you hire all the way down to “Under-5” roles?
Hello Ben!
Did you decide to make this film strictly to cover a topic that you’re knowledgeable & passionate about, or also to become a documentary director going forward?
How were you able to transition staying relevant and popular after the OC? So often younger actors end up being one hit wonders even when they did a fine job on their first shows.
Hey Ben!
We’re about the same age. Since I know you from TV:
Let’s pretend it’s the early 90s again. You run home from school in the afternoon, what are you hoping is on?
Favorite shows from yesteryear?
Thanks dude, looking forward to seeing your first film!
What is your favourite episode of gotham?
You’ve come a long way since your breakthrough role in the OC. What’s your fondest memory of those days?
Enough about the OC, what’s your favourite series and your favorite movie?
You have used your platform in such positive and altruistic ways since being launched to stardom. Thank you for your contributions to the general zeitgeist. May I ask what inspired you to pivot to taking on this more activist role?
Who were you in Junebug? The factory husband?
Hi Ben! What can cinemas do to improve the film watching experience and bring people back into theaters?
Guest appearance on Nobody Wants This, you, Pete, Kelly, make the call please and thank you
(FYI The OC is still a regular yearly watch for me and I cannot believe how well it’s aged)