Owen Wilson on kids' favourite role and new film 'Runner'

Owen Wilson is opening up about fatherhood, aging and his new action film Runner, and his kids apparently have very specific taste when it comes to their dad's filmography. 

Speaking to E! News in an interview, Wilson revealed that his 2006 comedy Night at the Museum remains a favourite in his household. 

"My kids kind of liked my little character Jedediah, and you know that stuff," he said. That same year also saw him voice Lightning McQueen in Disney's Cars, prompting Wilson to marvel at just how much time has passed since both films came out. 

"I was just talking with somebody and about Cars, and I can't believe that's been 20 years."

The 57-year-old actor, father to son Robert, 15, with Jade Duell, son Finn, 12, with Caroline Lindqvist, and daughter Lyla, 7, with Varunie Vongsvirates, admitted the passage of time has turned him into something of a walking cliché. 

"You start to you know sound like your parents were," he joked. "'I can't believe how fast the time goes.' I had a quote from my yearbook. 'Lately, it occurs to me what a long, strange trip it's been,' which is kind of a little bit obnoxious for an 18-year-old to have that quote." 

Decades after choosing that Grateful Dead lyric for his senior yearbook, Wilson said he finally feels like he's grown into it: "It has been a long, strange trip."

That range is reflected in his career, which Wilson credits with giving him staying power across genres. 

"I've been lucky enough to kind of work in a lot of different genres," he said. "So, hopefully there's something for everybody." 

His latest project, Runner, leans into more high-stakes action territory, pairing him with Alan Ritchson for a story about racing to deliver a life-saving organ to a young patient before it falls into the hands of black-market dealers. 

"I think it's one of those stories that end up really resonating with people and with an audience," Wilson said. 

"It's something that everybody can relate to. You kind of understand that there's a child in jeopardy and trying to get this organ transplant to them in time. It's a relatable theme."

Wilson also spoke fondly about teaming up with Ritchson, comparing the dynamic to the buddy films he loved growing up. 

"It had that kind of buddy element to it," he explained. "And when I read the script, it was one of those stories that just kind of hooks you, where you kind of you know get the stakes you know right at the beginning." 

He promised the momentum doesn't slow down from there: "It just doesn't let up." 

Runner opens in theaters nationwide on September 11.