Can You Handle Eddie Redmayne’s Jackal Antics?
Gather ’round, my friends! Today, we’re diving into the juicy depths of Eddie Redmayne’s latest caper in The Day of the Jackal. Yes, the Oscar winner has traded his magical creatures for a sniper rifle, and trust me, it’s a bit of a wild ride. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves—this isn’t just your average action flick. Oh no, it’s a cheeky nod to a classic and a fantastic kaleidoscope of modern influences.
The Actor’s Playground
Redmayne describes the entire process as nothing short of an actor’s playground. How delightful! A playground for actors? I can just picture them swinging from the emotional swings and sliding down the dramatic slides. “I am a sucker for process,” he quips. Bravo, Eddie! Who would’ve thought gunplay, languages, and prosthetics would be a recipe for fun? Sounds a bit like day camp for drama nerds!
If At First You Don’t Succeed…
Just when you think it can’t get better, Eddie reveals he almost walked into a very sticky situation while practicing his prop skills. Our dear Eddie, apparently fond of his hotel room decorations, almost left behind what can only be described as a ‘gigantic sniper’s rifle’ casually pointing out of his window. Oh, goulash and a rifle—a recipe for an Oscar-nominated incident! I mean, can you imagine the hotel management’s face? “Excuse me, sir, but we don’t accept guests armed to the teeth!”
A Flick That Questions the Black and White
The show is more than just high-octane thrills; it aims to modernize a well-loved classic. Redmayne mentions the ambiguous morality in the current script, saying, “We live in a world now… where there is a right and a wrong and the grey territory is harder to navigate.” Brilliant observation! With social media telling us what to think at every turn, navigating these “shades of grey” can be trickier than figuring out how to make a gun out of a wheelie suitcase. Who knew espionage could feel so relatable?
The Show’s Context: A Fun House Mirror
Now, sprinkle in the rise of right-wing extremism and tech-gone-wrong tropes, and you have a show that is at once familiar yet starkly prescient. Redmayne reflects on how current events—think Trump assassination attempts and Middle Eastern chaos—echo the series’ themes. Cue the ominous music, right? It seems we’re living in the real-life script of a thriller, and the writers are having a laugh at our expense!
What Does Eddie Think?
As for Eddie himself, he’s not too keen on watching his own work. “Truth be told, nothing would pain me more than watching myself on screen,” he shares. Classic Redmayne—why watch the show when his dad might critique it instead? No pressure, Dad! Grab the popcorn and brace yourself! Oh wait, he’s taking goulash instead.
Final Thoughts
So, as we look forward to The Day of the Jackal hitting our screens on November 7, let’s buckle up for an exhilarating thrill ride. Will Eddie manage to give the iconic character a fresh spin, or will fans simply want to play their old, nostalgic tapes instead? Stay tuned! Because, let’s be honest, if there’s anyone who knows how to keep us guessing, it’s the Jackal—and of course, the ever-charming Eddie Redmayne.
Eddie Redmayne recently shared his reflections on the challenges he encountered while off-set during the filming of the highly-anticipated Sky Atlantic show, The Day of the Jackal. The Oscar-winning actor revealed that he almost landed in trouble due to an eagerness to practice with props.
In an interview with Sky News, he discussed the intricacies of modernising Frederick Forsyth’s revered literary work, stating, “It took months of intensive preparation to play a character that assumes a range of different ages and nationalities.” He elaborated on how the role demanded extensive character development, spanning different languages, prosthetic applications, and intricate costumes. “
Redmayne expressed his passion for the process, stating, “I am a sucker for process… so it was languages, it was prosthetics, different costumes… and then all the gun work as well… I had about three or four months prepping, and it was pretty fun,” reflecting on the hands-on experience that allowed him to immerse himself in the character.
Viewers will witness him deftly managing the construction of a firearm from the internal components of a wheelie case right from the first episode. Although he had received advanced weapons training, his enthusiasm to take props home for further practice came close to landing him in significant trouble with the authorities.
He recounted, “There is a moment at which the Jackal constructs this rifle… it is a beautiful bit of prop design… I asked the prop master if I could take home this case with me to work on it.” However, during a moment of distraction while enjoying local goulash, he realised he had inadvertently left a sizable sniper’s rifle pointing out of his hotel window, raising alarms about the potential for misunderstandings.
Redmayne vividly recalled the moment of panic, saying, “I remember running down the corridor and the person that works in the hotel pushing down the towels [trolley]… otherwise that could have been a moment because it looked pretty persuasive.”
The series, bearing the weight of a modern reboot of a cherished classic, presents a thrilling exploration of moral ambiguity and complex characters. Redmayne admitted, “I loved it since I was a kid and so when the scripts arrived in my inbox there was definitely a moment of trepidation,” showcasing his reverence for the source material.
In its historical context, Forsyth’s acclaimed novel has reincarnated multiple times since its original release in the early 1970s, with the 1973 film adaptation remaining prominent in public memory. “The original film was very much a binary sense of good and evil,” Redmayne commented, drawing parallels between the narrative then and the complex moral fabric of today’s society.
In the ten-part series, followers of the Jackal’s story will see him as an elite assassin undertaking a seemingly impossible task, while James Bond alumnus Lashana Lynch portrays the intelligence officer determined to bring him to justice. Notably, the show also ventures into themes reflecting the rise of right-wing extremism and the challenges posed by tech moguls in contemporary society.
“What the series does [show] is that there’s ambiguity in everyone and I feel that that’s kind of where we’re at slightly in the world,” Redmayne expounded, hinting at the resonant and relevant themes that the series tackles, especially in light of recent global events, including an assassination attempt on Donald Trump and ongoing violence in the Middle East.
The Day of the Jackal is set to premiere on Sky Atlantic and NOW on November 7, and Redmayne will be keenly observing the reactions from viewers and particularly his family, as they gather around to watch a show that holds sentimental value, being based on his father’s favourite film.
### Interview with Eddie Redmayne about “The Day of the Jackal”
**Interviewer**: Eddie, thanks for joining us today! Your role in *The Day of the Jackal* sounds incredibly intriguing. How would you describe your experience on set?
**Eddie Redmayne**: Thanks for having me! It was truly an actor’s playground. It involved so much variety — from learning languages to mastering the intricacies of firearms. I really enjoyed diving deep into the character, pretty much seeing it as a camp for drama nerds!
**Interviewer**: Speaking of firearms, I heard you had quite an amusing incident involving your hotel room. Can you share that story?
**Eddie Redmayne**: Oh, yes! I got a bit carried away practicing with the prop gun and left a massive sniper rifle pointing out of my window. I was enjoying local goulash and didn’t realize the potential chaos it could cause! When I saw hotel staff rushing down the hall, I panicked a little. Thankfully, it all turned out fine, but it was a close call!
**Interviewer**: The show tackles some very relevant themes. How does it modernize Frederick Forsyth’s classic story for today’s audience?
**Eddie Redmayne**: The script explores ambiguity in morality, especially in our current world where everything seems so polarized. We delve into shades of gray that many in society find challenging. With the rise of extreme ideologies and technological misfires, the themes are disturbingly timely.
**Interviewer**: With all this action and complexity, do you find it hard to watch your own performances?
**Eddie Redmayne**: Absolutely! Watching myself on screen is a painful experience for me. I’d much rather have my family critique it instead of sitting through the whole thing myself.
**Interviewer**: As the premiere date approaches, what are your feelings about how fans will receive your interpretation of this iconic character?
**Eddie Redmayne**: I’m excited but also a bit nervous! I hope audiences appreciate the fresh spin on the Jackal while still honoring the original. It’s quite a challenge to strike that balance, but I think we’ve got something really special.
**Interviewer**: Well, we can’t wait to see it! Thank you for sharing your insights, Eddie, and best of luck with the show!
**Eddie Redmayne**: Thank you! I appreciate it, and I hope everyone enjoys *The Day of the Jackal* when it drops!
