Interviews
Antonio Banderas Interview For Steven Soderbergh’s ‘Haywire’
Jan 18th
This dynamic action-thriller directed by Oscar winner Steven Soderbergh boasts a talented cast that includes Channing Tatum, Ewan McGregor, Michael Fassbender, Antonio Banderas, Bill Paxton , Michael Douglas, Michael Angarano; and introduces mixed martial arts superstar Gina Carano as Mallory Kane, in a demanding lead role that has her performing her own high-adrenaline stunts.
Mallory Kane is a highly trained operative who works for a government security contractor in the dirtiest, most dangerous corners of the world. After successfully freeing a Chinese journalist held hostage, she is double crossed and left for dead by someone close to her in her own agency. Suddenly the target of skilled assassins who know her every move, Mallory must find the truth in order to stay alive. Using her black-ops military training, she devises an ingenious—and dangerous—trap. But when things go haywire, Mallory realizes she’ll be killed in the blink of an eye unless she finds a way to turn the tables on her ruthless adversary. ‘Haywire’ is out now in the UK. It’s set for release January 20th in the US.
First off, how did you get involved with ‘Haywire’?
Antonio Banderas: Steven Soderbergh is one of those guys you say “yes” to, sometimes without reading the script. I had the opportunity….he called me twice in my career, but I couldn’t actually work with him. One was for ‘Che’ and the other one was ‘Traffic.’ I was signed at that particular time with other movies, but I knew. I had talked to him very early when I came to Los Angeles. He just presented ‘Sex, Lies, and Videotapes‘ and I loved that movie. We were talking about Almodóvar, because he’s a fan of Pedro. So at that time, he said to me, “I would like to have the opportunity to work together some day.” But many years, almost twenty years happened in the middle (laughs). He sent me the script. It was very confusing to me, to tell you the truth, but it was an immediate positive answer to work with him. I don’t regret it for a second. It was great.
Leonardo DiCaprio Interview For Clint Eastwood’s ‘J. Edgar’ – Released Friday In The UK
Jan 18th
During his lifetime, J. Edgar Hoover (Leonardo DiCaprio) would rise to be the most powerful man in America. As head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation for nearly 50 years, he would stop at nothing to protect his country. Through 8 presidents and 3 wars, Hoover waged battle against threats both real and perceived, often bending the rules to keep his countrymen safe. Hoover was a man who placed great value on secrets – particularly those of others – and was not afraid to use that information to exert authority over the leading figures in the nation.
Understanding that knowledge is power and fear poses opportunity, he used both to gain unprecedented influence and to build a reputation that was both formidable and untouchable. He was as guarded in his private life as he was in his public one, allowing only a small and protective inner circle into his confidence. His closest colleague, Clyde Tolson (Armie Hammer), was also his constant companion. His secretary, Helen Gandy (Naomie Watts), who was perhaps most privy to Hoover’s designs, remained loyal to the end…and beyond. As seen through the eyes of Hoover himself, ‘J. Edgar’ explores the personal and public life and relationships of a man who could distort the truth as easily as he upheld it during a life devoted to his own idea of justice, often swayed by the darker side of power. Directed by Clint Eastwood, ‘J. Edgar’ also stars Judi Dench, Josh Lucas and Ken Howard. The film is released in cinemas January 20th in the UK.
What was the biggest challenge when taking on this role? I can’t think of many people over the last century who have been as important and controversial in American history.
Leonardo DiCaprio: The biggest challenge was something that was very clearly defined in the screenplay for me….not necessarily sympathise, but how do you emphasize with this human being, not even emphasize, but how do understand his motivations and how that manifested itself into politics? It was very intriguing to discover Dustin Lance Black’s screenplay, because for the first time I kind of understand what motivated him; at a very young age his mother wanted him to rise to great power in politics, to carry on the Hoover name to great glory. He was a young genius, he came into this bureau and really transformed the United States, really organised modern forensics, captured all the outlaws, really put a face on a federal system of police enforcement that to this day is incredibly intimidating.
Ewan McGregor Interview For Steven Soderbergh’s ‘Haywire’
Jan 17th
This dynamic action-thriller directed by Oscar winner Steven Soderbergh boasts a talented cast that includes Channing Tatum, Ewan McGregor, Michael Fassbender, Antonio Banderas, Bill Paxton , Michael Douglas, Michael Angarano; and introduces mixed martial arts superstar Gina Carano as Mallory Kane, in a demanding lead role that has her performing her own high-adrenaline stunts.
Mallory Kane is a highly trained operative who works for a government security contractor in the dirtiest, most dangerous corners of the world. After successfully freeing a Chinese journalist held hostage, she is double crossed and left for dead by someone close to her in her own agency. Suddenly the target of skilled assassins who know her every move, Mallory must find the truth in order to stay alive. Using her black-ops military training, she devises an ingenious—and dangerous—trap. But when things go haywire, Mallory realizes she’ll be killed in the blink of an eye unless she finds a way to turn the tables on her ruthless adversary. ‘Haywire’ is released in cinemas January 18th.
I was told you were meant to work with Steve Soderbergh before ‘Haywire‘?
Ewan McGregor: Yes. We spoke along time ago about doing a film together and it didn’t work out for one reason or another. Sometimes if that happens, or if you’ve turned down a director, I don’t think I turned it down, it was just a scheduling issue I think – but then that can be it, the director won’t come back to you (laughs). But I’ve always liked Steven Soderbergh as a director, I’ve liked his films. I like the fact that you don’t know what he’s going to do next, the fact that he’s turned his hand to many different kinds of films, genres. As an actor he’s definitely on the list of directors you want to work with.
Channing Tatum Interview For Steven Soderbergh’s ‘Haywire’
Jan 14th
This dynamic action-thriller directed by Oscar winner Steven Soderbergh boasts a talented cast that includes Channing Tatum, Ewan McGregor, Michael Fassbender, Antonio Banderas, Bill Paxton , Michael Douglas, Michael Angarano; and introduces mixed martial arts superstar Gina Carano as Mallory Kane, in a demanding lead role that has her performing her own high-adrenaline stunts.
Mallory Kane is a highly trained operative who works for a government security contractor in the dirtiest, most dangerous corners of the world. After successfully freeing a Chinese journalist held hostage, she is double crossed and left for dead by someone close to her in her own agency. Suddenly the target of skilled assassins who know her every move, Mallory must find the truth in order to stay alive. Using her black-ops military training, she devises an ingenious—and dangerous—trap. But when things go haywire, Mallory realizes she’ll be killed in the blink of an eye unless she finds a way to turn the tables on her ruthless adversary. ‘Haywire’ is released in cinemas January 20th.
Aaron gets pretty conflicted in this movie.…
Channing Tatum: Yeah, very! Aaron is a contract soldier that will go in and do anything you pretty much ask of him, pay him. From kidnapping to I’m sure assassinations if he had to. As a lot of soldiers do, I’ve never been a soldier but I’ve talked to a tonne of them, you follow orders. The military, the governmental military is more of a organised thing that you can’t really double cross anybody there, or you probably can but I just don’t know about it (laughs), but you’re told what to do and you go and do it. You don’t expect your superiors to double cross you. But the private sector, it’s a lot more grey. Everybody is trading people, trading lives. Doing things I don’t think I could even imagine. Aaron, he does listen to the wrong people, probably because of money.
Producer Kathleen Kennedy Interview For ‘War Horse’
Jan 13th
Kathleen Kennedy is a six-time Academy Award nominee and one of the most successful and respected producers and executives in the film industry today. As a testament to her standing in the film community, she previously held the position of governor and officer of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) and currently serves as a member of the board of trustees. Among her credits are three of the highest grossing films in motion picture history: ‘E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial,’ ‘Jurassic Park’ and ‘The Sixth Sense.’
Kennedy launched her producing career via a successful association with Steven Spielberg, which began when she served as his production assistant on the film ‘1941.’ She went to become his associate on ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark,’ associate producer of ‘Poltergeist,’ and producer of ‘E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial.’ While ‘E.T.’ was becoming an international phenomenon, Spielberg, Kennedy and Frank Marshall were already in production on ‘Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,’ which she and Marshall produced with George Lucas.
In 1982, Kennedy co-founded Amblin Entertainment with Spielberg and Marshall. While at Amblin, she produced and guided two of the most successful franchises in film history: the ‘Jurassic Park’ series and the ‘Back to the Future’ trilogy. In addition, Kennedy produced or executive produced a slew of critical and box office hits, including ‘Twister,’ ‘Balto,’ ‘The Bridges of Madison County,‘ ‘The Flintstones,‘ ‘Schindler’s List,‘ ‘We’re Back! A Dinosaur’s Story,‘ ‘Noises Off,‘ ‘Hook,‘ ‘An American Tail: Fievel Goes West,‘ ‘Cape Fear,‘ ‘Gremlins 2: The New Batch,‘ ‘Joe Versus the Volcano,‘ ‘Always,‘ ‘Gremlins,‘ ‘The Land Before Time,’ ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit?‘ ‘Batteries Not Included,‘ ‘Empire of the Sun,‘ ‘Innerspace,‘ ‘The Money Pit,’ ‘The Color Purple,‘ ‘Young Sherlock Holmes,‘ ‘The Goonies’ and Frank Marshall’s directing debut, ‘Arachnophobia.’ Other collaborations with Spielberg include ‘Munich,’ ‘War of the Worlds’ and ‘A.I. Artificial Intelligence.’ ‘War Horse’ is out in cinemas now.
How did you discover ‘War Horse‘?
Kathleen Kennedy: We were going over to Europe and taking our girls, so I was looking for various things that we could do with them. My intention of going to see ‘War Horse’ was literally to take them to something that I thought they might enjoy, but halfway through the play, Lilly, our now fifteen-year-old, leans over and says, “Mom, I don’t think I can make it. I think I have to go.” She was so emotionally caught up in the play. And I looked around and saw how incredibly moved everybody else was in the theatre.
Jeremy Irvine Interview For Steven Spielberg’s ‘War Horse’
Jan 12th
Jeremy Irvine makes his feature-film debut as Albert Narracott in Steven Spielberg‘s epic adventure ‘War Horse.’ The film begins with the remarkable friendship between a horse named Joey and Albert, who tames and trains him. When they are forcefully parted, the film follows the journey of the horse as he moves through the war, changing and inspiring the lives of all those he meets—British cavalry, German soldiers, and a French farmer and his granddaughter—before the story reaches its emotional climax in the heart of No Man’s Land.
Jeremy Irvine is currently in production on BBC Films’ ‘Great Expectations,’ in which he stars as Pip, the classic Dickens story is directed by Mike Newell and includes Academy Award winner Ralph Fiennes and Helena Bonham Carter. He recently completed production on the independent feature ‘Now Is Good,’ opposite Dakota Fanning, based on Jenny Downham’s novel “Before I Die.” Irvine will next begin shooting ‘The Railway Man’ opposite Colin Firth. The film is based on the WWII memoir by Eric Lomax, who was captured and tortured by the Japanese and forced to work on the infamous Burma Railway. Lomax will be portrayed by both Irvine and Firth at different ages. ‘War Horse’ is set for release January 13th.
Were you familiar with the book before you started shooting the film?
Jeremy Irvine: My Mum actually read me the book when I was about 10 or 11. I’ve got this very, very battered old copy, which I’ve had on my bookshelf since I was a child. I had not read the book in some 5 years, but when I was auditioning, there were things I remembered so clearly. In the first page I remembered a beautiful bit about Joey’s first memories being in dark stables and rats scuttling along the roof beams. For some reason, that stayed with me and had a big effect on me as a child. It’s just such a joy to be playing Albert now.