Lots of new take-aways from this interview.
While the interview was a promo for Dr. Jekel and Mr. Hyde, the conversation touched a number of subjects and projects.
Of interest to me was the hint that Richard Armitage might have a substantial role in promoting Ocean’s 8 along with the all star female cast.It was also good to hear ( even if not completely true) that he has learned to enjoy the promotional aspects of a big film.
Excerpt:
I worked on Ocean’s 8 at the beginning of this year, which will be premiering in June next year, so I’ll be back in that cycle of a big movie junket. It’s interesting because you put as much effort in to working a film, as you do making a film and I used to really dislike that side of it, but I actually love it now, because the time when you actually get out and come face to face with the fans – sometimes with independent movies they go to festivals and they get a limited release and you don’t always get to sort of meet people and talk about the project as much, so in that respect I could talk about The Hobbit for the rest of my life because I had such a good time doing it.
Also, it looks as if Macbeth with Yaël Farber is no longer a consideration because of the swell of Macbeth productions, so, good news ( I think) they are back to considering something based on an ancient Greek play. While working with Farber again seems like a definite plan, details seem vague and unformed as yet.
Also the news that he was seriously up for a role in Peter Jackson’s production of Mortal Engines.
I was very close to working with Peter Jackson and Philippa Boyens and Fran Walsh this year on Christian Rivers’ latest movie (Mortal Engines), but I couldn’t quite make it work, because of Berlin Station, but I know that I’ll work with them again in the future and I’ll be back in New Zealand at some point, so The Hobbit has left such a legacy with me, that it’s sort of a little beating heart that I’ll always be grateful for.
Unfortunately ( very) Berlin Station got in the way.
It seems like his Bridget Cleary project is still just a future dream. He also says he’ll be filming in Moscow, though I couldn’t figure out which project to which this referred.
I also wonder whether another Mike Bartlett piece might be in the works. By all accounts, it seems to me that the two have developed a friendship and they have the success of Love,Love,Love to ground them.
Armitage Agonistes 