Justin Theroux’ Uncle, Paul Theroux, Accuses The Actor of Mispronouncing Their Last Name

Paul Theroux, the uncle to The Spy Who Dumped Me actor Justin Theroux, is the writer of the book that inspired the actor’s latest project, an adventure drama deriving its name from a book of the same name The Mosquito Coast. During an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the author told the world that they had been mispronouncing Justin Theroux’s name the whole time. “It’s a French name,” he shared.

A Theroux Family Affair

Paul Theroux took part in an exclusive interview in order to talk about his latest project  — A Theroux Family Affair. The author decided to first put his last name’s pronunciation correctly first.

The new video premiering on Apple TV+ will explore the family connections behind the upcoming show starring Justin Theroux, 49.

With a premiere date coming on April 30, The Mosquito Coast is adapted from a 1981 novel of the same name, written by Paul.

The book was first adapted for television in a 1986 American drama film directed by Paul Weir. It explores the story of a brilliant but obstinate inventor who’s fed up with the American dream and consumerism. He also believes that Americans will destroy themselves in a nuclear war through their relentless greed and crime. He forces his family to migrate to Mexico when they find themselves on the run from the U.S. government.

“The Mosquito Coast was written by my Uncle Paul, who I am the middle namesake of, Justin Paul Theroux,” Justin began in the new clip.

“The main character is played by Justin Theroux, my nephew,” Paul added, pronouncing the name tha-roo. “Sometimes he calls himself Justin that-row. It’s a French name, it’s Theroux.”

Inspiration Behind The Mosquito Coast And How Paul’s Nephew Came To Snatch The Lead Role

As the video progressed, the pair came to discuss the reason why Justin Theroux added inspiration from his family in the movie and his love for the book, which was unknown to his uncle until he landed the role in the Apple TV+ project.

“I remember this book came out in the early to mid-80s when I was a kid,” Justin says. “I actually read it maybe a couple of years after it came out. This thing reeks of nepotism but my manager said they’re doing Mosquito Coast and I said ‘Let’s track it.’ Then I read it and fell in love with it and was actually actively pursuing it.”

Paul then revealed that he hadn’t a clue his nephew was auditioning for a part in the project, also adding: “I didn’t know that he was involved in it. I didn’t even know that he had a great passion for the book. I’m really delighted that he did it, and there are some lines that are not in the book that are in the series that Justin has channeled from family history.”

Differences Between The Upcoming Series and The 1981 Book

Justin continued by revealing that the movie will feature inspirations drawn from members of his family, adding that he had to check himself to not give too much of his family’s history and details away. But he said that it’s safe for him to acknowledge the role of his Grandfather’s industrious life in developing the book’s plot and its characters.

Paul then remarked on the slight difference between Allie Fox in the book and the one portrayed in the upcoming series.

“In the book, Allie Fox is driving himself. The Allie Fox in the series, he’s a man pursued,” he commented. “It’s the same spirit with a different setting.”

“The character of Allie Fox is a person who’s genuinely trying to give his children a better life and his family a better life,” the actor added.

“In a way, it has come full circle,” Paul concluded. “I was writing about my family and now a member of my family is in it.”

The Mosquito Coast will premiere globally on Apple TV+ with the first two episodes on April 30, new episodes will follow every Friday.