Fallout showrunner Geneva Robertson-Dworet and actor Justin Theroux recently discussed Robert House‘s recasting for Season 2. Speaking during an interview, Theroux highlighted the show’s retrofuturistic setting and use of “avatars” in a world where people didn’t recognize anyone.
House, the CEO of RobCo Industries and ruler of the New Vegas strip in 2281, debuted in the Season 1 finale, played by Rafi Silver. However, Theroux took over the role for Season 2, which briefly featured Silver’s version of the character in the opening scene. Notably, in the episode, Theroux’s House viewed a broadcast featuring Silver’s iteration.
Why Justin Theroux plays Mr. House in Fallout Season 2
Justin Theroux and Geneva Robertson-Dworet addressed Mr. House’s recasting in a recent interview with ScreenRant. While speaking with the outlet, Robertson-Dworet said that House’s portrayal drew inspiration from prominent late business magnate Howard Hughes. She noted that Hughes and House shared “many parallels” and highlighted Hughes’ growing reclusiveness during his lifetime — an aspect of the film producer she and the creatives incorporated into House’s character.
“We wanted to play House as someone who is constantly playing tricks on the world, and was maybe somewhat scared to go out because, think of what a targeted man he is,” Robertson-Dworet shared. “Would you go out if you were him? And so that’s why we were really excited to do what we did with Rafi Silver, who’s returning from Season 1, playing Robert House. I’m curious what fans will think of that — we had a lot of fun with it.”
Theroux acknowledged Hughes as an inspiration for his portrayal of Mr. House. However, the Beetlejuice Beetlejuice actor stressed that the character had “a much broader source of inspiration” on a thematic and moral level. He added that viewers could “take a dart, throw it at any number of billionaires that currently exist,” and find “a little bit of Mr. House in all of them.”
The Emmy winner then highlighted the retrofuturistic setting of Fallout and how it was possible for people to have multiple “avatars” in a world where a person wouldn’t recognize another. Theroux stressed that House sent figures to speak on his behalf, likening it to a practice followed by political leaders. “So he’s a little bit of a Kim Jong Il or a Putin who might have a couple of other Putins or Kim Jong Ils running around to do his work,” he shared. “I think he’s become so paranoid, or so rarefied, that he needs to live above Las Vegas in a very protected place.”
