Eddie Redmayne ‘didn’t want to mess with something brilliant’ in new Day of the Jackal

As I delve deeper into the captivating world of television, I find myself in awe of its transformative power, much like Eddie Redmayne himself seems to be. His profound connection with the characters he portrays, particularly those from the acclaimed series The West Wing, is a testament to the depth and longevity that television offers today’s actors.

This article first appeared in TopMob magazine.

Eddie Redmayne, speaking over Zoom and applying pressure to his fingertip, admits he’s taking a large amount of ibuprofen and codeine. He clarifies that due to this, any statements made during the interview should not be held accountable.

Upon arriving back at his residence in south London from New York, he was hit with jetlag and found himself in need of some sharp knives. “I haven’t prepared a meal in ages,” he thought. After spending eight months filming The Day of the Jackal in Hungary and Croatia, followed by another eight months on Broadway for Cabaret, it seemed like the perfect time to get back into cooking.

“By the way, there’s this fantastic knife store nearby that I can’t get enough of – I have a strange fascination with kitchen knives. You know, standing in front of them and gazing through the windows. Last night, I was eager to use my freshly bought knives for chopping vegetables, but ended up accidentally slicing a small piece off the tip of my finger instead.

Interestingly enough, the script for the initial episode of Jackal was right on my desk. Written at the top was, “A knife through butter.” This was my first characterization of the Jackal and how he should portray himself in the story, and when I saw it again, I realized, “It seems like a grotesque cycle that has come back to me.

During the initial three minutes of the interview, there’s a lot to process, but despite his injury and using painkillers, Redmayne manages to convey it all with an unsettled grace, shielded under a baseball cap and nonchalantly wearing an Alex Eagle red cricket sweater, which retails for £545.

An Eton and Cambridge scholar, and a relentless high-achiever, Redmayne hasn’t stopped acting since training at the Jackie Palmer Stage School, performing with the National Youth Music Theatre, and appearing in a production of Oliver! in 1994, directed by Sam Mendes. The Day of The Jackal might be Redmayne’s first TV series since 2012’s Birdsong, but he’s been quite busy in between.

Over the past twelve years, I’ve been fortunate enough to bring some truly remarkable characters to life on the silver screen. From gripping performances in The Good Nurse and The Danish Girl, to embodying Newt Scamander in JK Rowling’s epic Fantastic Beasts franchise, and even portraying the legendary Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything – an experience for which I was honored with my first Academy Award. It’s been quite a journey, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Next, Cabaret was released, a contemporary remake of the Bob Fosse original that he also produced. Redmayne filmed Jackal during this time, fitting it between his roles in two adaptations of the musical, one on each side of the Atlantic. In both productions, he portrayed the Emcee of the Weimar-era Kit Kat Club, singing “Welcome” in French (“bienvenue”) and German (“Willkommen”).

Was it the West End performance of the play that Redmayne took on when he initially agreed to join Jackal – did he find it exhilarating and intensely tiring due to its rowdy and sensual nature?

Afterward, instead of taking a break, he chose to join – as both the main character and executive producer – the revamped adaptation of Frederick Forsyth’s 1971 novel. This modern take features an Elon Musk-esque tech billionaire as the antagonist, in stark contrast to the essentially “good” Charles de Gaulle in the original story, where the conflict was between the police and the villains trying to assassinate him.

From my perspective as a film enthusiast, this fresh narrative delves deeper into the complexities of human morality. As Redmayne aptly puts it, “What’s captivating about this era is that just when you believe you understand someone’s moral compass, it changes.” We all harbor those gray areas within us to some extent – the notion of clear-cut good and evil seems less prevalent in reality.

In this new adaptation, instead of the original’s French inspector named Lebel who was the Jackal’s opponent, we have Bianca (skillfully portrayed by Lashana Lynch), a tireless MI6 agent determinedly chasing after the Jackal. This is a shift from the original character being male.

Growing up, I used to watch Jackal regularly. We had an old, worn VHS copy of it. It might seem odd, but it was one of those films that my family would gather around to watch together,” reminisced the 42-year-old, painting a heartwarming scene of Redmayne’s childhood home in central London. “There I was, resting my head on my hands in front of the TV, while my parents – both accomplished businesspeople – sat comfortably on the sofa, enjoying an espionage and death-themed movie together.

Upon finding this in my email, I must admit I was somewhat cautious, for it seemed too extraordinary not to be handled with care. The appeal of the initial narrative, skillfully preserved by Ronan [Bennett], lies in its peculiarity: presenting two protagonists who are significantly morally ambiguous, yet their questionable actions somehow draw you closer to them.

It’s worth noting that, in several aspects, Redmayne’s profession is quite similar to the Jackal’s, excluding the violent activities, naturally. He immerses himself deeply in his characters, studying them thoroughly and adopting their traits.

One intriguing aspect of this role was that it required me to portray characters who are quite different from myself. To clarify, I’m not saying I’m an international assassin – far from it – but the character I’m playing is skilled in disguises and dialects, leading a sort of dual existence. Balancing such a complex character is challenging.

Admittedly, there are certain traits of his character that he envies: “I wish I could be as polished, well-groomed, and detail-oriented as him. I lack the elegance of the Jackal. In a crisis, I become flustered. He remains calm; I grow more anxious.

One famous chapter in the book, and scene in the movie, is devoted entirely to the construction of a specially commissioned sniper’s rifle, which the Jackal has smuggled across international borders. This moment defines both the character and tone of the story, which wasn’t lost on Redmayne.

He was resolute on making the rifle assembly elegant and beautiful, yet he realized he wasn’t skilled as a props actor. Therefore, he chose to return the prop to his hotel to work on it further.

“For several days, I carefully assembled and disassembled this weapon. One night, I built it in my hotel room and decided to go out for dinner. However, halfway through the process, I abruptly rushed upstairs, realizing that there was a housekeeping service happening, and if I didn’t hide it quickly, they would find a fully functional sniper rifle on my desk!

After such deep involvement and character immersion during filming, is it possible for him to simply step out of those roles once production wraps up? “That’s a question I’d have to ask my wife!” jokes Redmayne, who tied the knot with his childhood sweetheart Hannah Bagshawe in 2014.

In a different setting, Jackal and I were involved in Cabaret performances in New York after which I had early-morning video conferences regarding revisions and other matters. Then, I would proceed to the evening show. During this time, my family was visiting for the holidays, yet I found myself becoming quite absorbed.

In this latest rendition of “The Jackal,” I found myself drawn into a compelling narrative that introduces a fresh element – family. Unlike its predecessor, which kept the audience on the edge as it followed both the police and the assassin in their professional pursuits, this new installment delves deeper by introducing personal peril. The character of the Jackal, along with Bianca, are now grappling not just with high-stakes professions, but also with managing family life. This added dimension adds a layer of complexity and tension to the storyline, making it all the more captivating.

In the movie, Edward Fox portrays an unyielding character for two hours, making him a powerful embodiment of ruthless charm. However, behind this facade, we know little about him as a person. To maintain this intensity for ten hours would be difficult, so the concept of delving into his family life and revealing a different side of him seemed fresh, intriguing, and challenging. How do you effectively blend these two contrasting aspects?

After his appearance in Birdsong on television, the scene has shifted significantly. Nowadays, TV series seem to have taken over from movies as the prime stage for actors to display their skills. Has he recognized this transformation? “Absolutely. I used to carry West Wing DVDs to work and cherish the characters that emerged from it. I recall feeling lost when it ended, thinking ‘Where are all these characters who have become part of my life?’ Then, a couple of years ago, I met Allison Janney, and it was as if CJ was standing right in front of me!

He takes a brief pause before growing more expressive. “It’s fascinating how on television, you can spend years connected with these characters. The trust in viewers’ intelligence has evolved significantly over the last decade. Now, shows can introduce unresolved plot points early on and then delve into them much later – the intricate way those threads are woven together, the narrative development it provides.

Given that Redmayne, who hasn’t dismissed the possibility of being an international assassin in real life, shares many characteristics with his on-screen persona, how does he reconcile the nomadic lifestyle typical of actors with raising a young family?

As a film enthusiast, I was all set to immerse our family in the magic of Cabaret in New York. However, my daughter’s recent transition to a new school has thrown a wrench in our plans. Balancing work and family responsibilities can be challenging, especially when the specificities of the job and family needs change from year to year. What we aim to do is prioritize these unique experiences that enrich our lives, even if they require some juggling.

Is it possible that such extraordinary experiences might lead him to commit to a project lasting as long as The West Wing, or could it be that one requirement for him would be that the filming takes place in London?

Approximately fifteen years ago, John Logan – the creator of Gladiator’s script – penned an exceptional pilot titled The Miraculous Year. This project was unique because it could potentially last for as short as ten days or as long as seven years. It turned out to be a remarkable experience, yet it never progressed into a series. Now, reflecting back on this opportunity, I am struck by the realization that if it had been developed, so many aspects of my career and life would have unfolded differently. Among other things, it would have meant residing in New York City.

It seems I harbor an apprehension towards lasting commitments, even chuckling about it. The thrill of uncertainty in my actions is something I’m both drawn to and repelled by, yet I would never wish to be bound or restricted.

It seems he’s been managing quite well with a life of spontaneity, traveling extensively and adopting different personas, only to discard them and return to his loved ones. Couldn’t help but wonder if he might not be a global secret agent instead?

“I went to Bisley, which is this gigantic rifle range, and I did shoot sniper rifles across 2km. I was surprisingly more adept at that than I thought I would be. But I’m someone in that sort of scenario – and I struggle with this in work generally – where nerves have a physical manifestation. I would not be as calm as you have to be, so no, mate, I wouldn’t be a good sniper.”

He’d better stick to the prop rifles, then. And, while he’s at it, stay away from sharp knives.

The latest issue of TopMob is out now – subscribe here.

The Day of the Jackal premieres on Sky Atlantic and NOW on Thursday 7th November 2024.

2024-10-31 18:07

Read More