“You don’t want to mess with something as brilliant as this”

As I delve deeper into the captivating world of Edward Fox, I can’t help but be awestruck by his remarkable journey. From the grandeur of Hollywood to the intimacy of British television, he has masterfully navigated the ever-evolving landscape of acting. His ability to embody such diverse characters, from the relentless Jackal to the enigmatic Newt Scamander, is a testament to his versatility and talent.

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Eddie Redmayne, during his Zoom conversation, clarifies that he’s taking a substantial amount of ibuprofen and codeine, which means any statements he makes should not be held accountable. He cautiously keeps his finger poised, fearing another potential bout of bleeding. With a hint of anticipation, I assure him that I’ll preface our interview with this disclaimer, causing a small sense of excitement to spark within me.

It appears he had only recently returned home to south London from New York, still grappling with jetlag, when he felt the urge to buy sharp knives. He hadn’t cooked in a while, and reminiscing about his past projects, he went from making “The Day of the Jackal” in Hungary and Croatia for eight months, to “Cabaret” on Broadway for another eight months. Happening upon a fantastic knife shop nearby, he admittedly has an unusual fascination with kitchen knives, often standing in front of such stores and admiring their displays. Last night, his excitement at using his new knives got the best of him as he was chopping vegetables, accidentally slicing off a small piece of his finger tip instead.

Interestingly, the script for the initial episode of Jackal was right there on my desk. The title read, “A knife through butter.” That was my initial portrayal of the Jackal and how he should present himself in his world. When I saw that, it struck me as a strange but fitting loop that had come back around.

During the initial three minutes of the interview, there’s a lot to process, but despite his injury and the painkillers, Redmayne manages to convey it all with an unsteady grace. He wears a baseball cap and casually slings on an Alex Eagle red cricket sweater (retailing at £545) for a relaxed look.

Ever since honing his craft at the Jackie Palmer Stage School and performing with the National Youth Music Theatre, Redmayne has been consistently active in acting, even starring in a 1994 production of Oliver!, directed by Sam Mendes. After a hiatus from television since 2012’s Birdsong, Redmayne’s latest project, The Day of The Jackal, marks his return. However, the past 12 years have been anything but tranquil for this dynamic performer, as he delivered critically acclaimed performances in films like The Good Nurse, The Danish Girl, and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Moreover, his portrayal of Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything earned him the distinction of being the first millennial to win an Academy Award for acting.

In the movie, Edward Fox is this vessel of ruthless charisma – so I was tentative

Following that, Cabaret emerged – a contemporary adaptation of the Bob Fosse original which he also produced. Redmayne performed in both the London and Broadway adaptations of this musical, taking on the role of the singing Emcee who welcomes audiences with “Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome!” in the Weimar-era Kit Kat Club. Filming for Jackal took place during these two stints. It was during the West End run of the show that Redmayne initially joined the cast of Jackal. Was he delighted to be a part of such an energetic and risqué production? “It was a truly exhilarating experience, yet incredibly demanding physically.

“You don’t want to mess with something as brilliant as this”

After taking a break, I jumped at the opportunity to take on a dual role – both as the lead and executive producer – for this modern reinterpretation of Frederick Forsyth’s 1971 novel that graced our screens in 1973, starring Edward Fox. In this revised tale, we have a tech-savvy, slightly unsettling billionaire akin to Elon Musk as the marksman’s quarry, a stark contrast from the essentially noble Charles de Gaulle of the original narrative, where the story pitted the police against those seeking his demise. As a film enthusiast, I can hardly wait to see this fresh take unfold on the silver screen!

In this fresh rendition, there’s an abundance of ambiguous moral grounds. As Redmayne points out, “It’s fascinating how quickly one can grasp someone’s perceived morality, only for it to change.” This production highlights the grey areas within us all, challenging the traditional black and white distinction between good and evil.

Upon finding this in my inbox, I must admit I felt quite intrigued, as if handling a gem. Its brilliance made me hesitant to meddle with it. What drew me to the original composition, which Ronan [Bennett] has skillfully preserved, is an unusual quality: we have two protagonists who are profoundly morally questionable, making harsh decisions. Remarkably, one finds oneself sympathizing with both of them.

It’s interesting to note that Redmayne’s job as an actor isn’t vastly dissimilar from the Jackal’s, except for the obvious difference in their activities. Just like Redmayne, the Jackal meticulously studies his targets, immerses himself in roles, and adapts to different personas – much like an accomplished actor does. Redmayne said, “It was unusual for me to play a character that’s quite close to me. I don’t mean to say I’m an international assassin – I’m not saying that – but essentially, he’s a skilled actor because he can pull off various disguises, dialects, and lives a sort of schizophrenic life. Balancing that is intricate.

Admittedly, there are certain qualities of this character that he envies: “I wish I was as polished, well-groomed, and detail-oriented as him. I lack the elegance of the Jackal. In a crisis, I become more flustered; he remains calm.

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. “I was determined that [assembling the rifle] should be glorious in its grace, but I’m a really shoddy props actor.” So, he decided to take the prop back to his hotel to perfect it.

“For several days, I meticulously assembled and disassembled this gun. One night, after putting it together in my hotel room, I went out to grab dinner. Midway through my meal, I suddenly remembered the turndown service at the hotel and rushed upstairs, realizing that if they finished their tasks, there would be a fully operational sniper rifle on my table!

As a devoted film enthusiast, I often find myself deeply engrossed in my roles, leaving me pondering – can I simply walk away from these characters once the cameras stop rolling? I chuckle and admit, “That’s a question for my wife!” Indeed, I am fortunate to be married to Hannah Bagshawe since 2014. We are blessed with two lovely children, Iris and Luke, who are still quite young. During the filming of ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’, I was juggling rehearsals for ‘Cabaret’ in New York, as well as morning Zoom calls regarding edits, all while performing on stage. My family was with me during the holidays, but my dedication to the craft made me somewhat… obsessive.

In the latest version of “Jackal”, instead of just following the police and assassin in their professional lives, there’s a new element – family. The Jackal and Bianca now face the challenge of balancing their dangerous professions with their personal lives, creating a more personal risk factor.

In a different take on the movie role, Edward Fox’s character is incredibly intense for two hours, yet leaves audiences yearning to learn more about him personally. To maintain audience interest for ten hours, exploring his family life and revealing another side of him seemed fresh, intriguing, and challenging. How can we skillfully blend these contrasting aspects effectively?

The Jackal gets cooler in a crisis – I get sweatier

After his appearance on the TV show “Birdsong”, the entertainment industry landscape has significantly evolved. Nowadays, television series seem to have taken over movies as the prime stage for actors to display their skills. Has he observed this shift? Absolutely! He recalls carrying DVDs of “The West Wing” to work and being deeply connected to the characters. He remembers the end of “The West Wing” and feeling lost, thinking ‘Where are all these characters that have been part of my life?’ Then, a few years ago, he met Alison Janney, and it felt like CJ from “The West Wing” was standing right in front of him!

He takes a brief pause before growing more enthusiastic with his explanation. “It’s fascinating how TV allows us to spend extended periods with characters over years. The trust in viewers’ intelligence has evolved significantly during the last decade. This newfound ability to introduce plot points without immediate resolution, then gradually weaving them together – it’s like creating a novel within a series.

Given that Redmayne, who hasn’t entirely ruled out being an international assassin in real life, shares striking similarities with his character, how does he reconcile the nomadic lifestyle of an actor with raising a young family? “With ‘Cabaret’ in New York, we had planned to bring the family along for the entire run, but my daughter has recently started at a new school. Pulling her out… that’s a challenge. The nature and demands of the job, as well as the needs of our family, change every year. However, we are trying to embrace the unique experiences it offers.

As a passionate cinephile, I often ponder about the possibilities in the realm of television, particularly when it comes to legendary writers like John Logan and his captivating work such as “The Miraculous Year”. Just imagine, fifteen years ago, he wrote an exceptional pilot that could have spanned ten days or a whole seven years. It was an unforgettable experience for me, yet the series never materialized, leaving me to wonder what might have been. If it had taken off, my life and career trajectory would have shifted dramatically. For instance, I would have found myself living in New York for quite some time, which is a city I’ve always admired from afar. So, if given the chance today, would I be open to something long-term like “The West Wing”? Well, perhaps, but it would certainly be more enticing if filming took place in London, closer to home and my heart.

It seems I might harbor a reluctance towards long-term commitments, even chuckling at the thought. The allure of the unknown in my endeavors is something I find both captivating and frustrating – a complex mix of love and disdain. However, I would never wish to be bound or restricted.

It seems like he’s been living a life of unexpected twists and turns, constantly traveling under various personas before eventually returning to his loved ones. Could it be that he’s not just an ordinary man, but perhaps a global spy or even an undercover agent?

I recently visited a massive shooting range in Bisley, where I had the opportunity to fire sniper rifles over a distance of 2 kilometers. To my surprise, I found myself quite skilled at it. However, in situations like this, I often experience physical symptoms due to nerves. In fact, maintaining the necessary calmness is something I find challenging, both in such scenarios and in my day-to-day work. Therefore, I can confidently say that, despite my ability with a rifle, I wouldn’t make a good sniper.

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

2024-10-31 17:06

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