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Compiled by: Jack Foley
Q. You must have enjoyed playing the villain along with
Sharon?
A. Well, we were just saying before we came in the room
that we want to do more. I personally enjoyed so much the possibility
of our relationship, because it’s a game that they have
been playing. So, it’s only the beginning - not necessarily
between Laurel and George, because they’re dead [laughs]
but definitely, hopefully, between Sharon and I. I think it’s
fantastically enjoyable and of course I wanted the film to be
a documentary about the life of the Hedares, but I think there
is great pleasure in people playing baddies who go all the way.
It was fantastic to do this with Sharon and I’m very thankful
that it happened to me, and I pray that it will happen again.
Q. What was your favourite comic book character as a
kid? And which comic book character would you still like to play,
perhaps?
A. In the French spectrum of the comic world, Tin-Tin
is the one. And it just so happened that my dad played Captain
Haddock in the first film. I’d like to do Pepe Le Pue.
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Q. Is there a feeling that
the French are taking over from the British as the villains of
choice in Hollywood?
A. You know what, it’s funny because I had to put
on a British accent for this. So, to answer your question, yes
the French are taking over, but by being English. [laughs]
It’s interesting, though, the possibilities that are being
offered to European actors within film. I sensed this with The
Matrix as well, because suddenly it is a global village, but
I think we’re also now addressing a global audience and
using actors, and I think that’s great. Using actors from
a lot of different cultures. It used to be impossible, but of
course we have yet to be accepted as part of the American culture
in being identifiable good guys. But I think the ground has been
broken.
Q. How do men feel in Hollywood, in terms of having to
make themselves look beautiful to get the better parts?
A. Obviously, I don’t live in Hollywood, but speaking
personally, life as an actor becomes interesting after 40, unless
you’re a matinee idol, but then you’re having trouble
later. It’s beginning to be interesting then.
Q. Why?
A. Because then it’s about acting, it’s about
the character you are going to perform. It’s about what
you do in the film. In a way, although I’d always dreamt
of being a matinee idol and being really beautiful and all that,
I kind of missed that part, and I’m relieved now, because
I feel much cleaner. It’s about the essence of the character
now. Of course, the two can work together, and we have an example
here [points towards Benjamin].
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