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Stardust: Charlie Cox Interview

Stardust: Charlie Cox Interview

Taking a break from performing on stage in London's West End, we caught up with actor Charlie Cox as he let us in on the making of magical fantasy adventure film: Stardust, in which he stars. He told us what it's like to work with the legendary Robert De Niro on set, and who his best friend really is...

LF: How did you get involved in Stardust?

CC: I've got a brilliant agent and she managed to get me an audition for it; simple as that. I went to the audition and met director Matthew Vaughn and obviously did alright. Then they got me back in to read with other people and then I had to go to America to read with some actresses. There was a long wait and then eventually I was lucky enough to get offered the part.

LF: How did you feel about working with such an illustrious cast?

CC: I think I would have been a lot more nervous when auditioning had I known who was going to be in it; but no one was attached at that point!

LF: You got to work alongside Robert De Niro, did he give you any good advice?

CC: He's kind of shy man and just lets you get on with it; he just does his job really well. I think that's one of the reasons he's so brilliant, you just had to up your game when you're working with him - and he makes you feel comfortable to do that. But that was really nerve racking; working on set with him…He's a legend isn't he?!

LF: It's quite an exhausting film to watch, was it as exhausting to shoot?

CC: I know people were getting really knackered. I was just running on adrenaline for the whole time. It was such an amazing experience; I couldn't really get too over tired; I was having too much fun.

LF: How long you were on set for?

CC: I think it was about three to four months in total. But it felt a lot longer than that - maybe it's 'cos we were filming 9 shoots on split days and all sorts of weird times. It takes up your entire life when you're doing it; you can't do anything else.

LF: What was it like working with Matthew Vaughn?

CC: He's great, I love Matthew; he's a nutter but I like him!

LF: With a largely American cast, was it nice to have a Brit at the helm?

CC: Yeah, he's very British you know, very English. The audition process was so long and because I was in every day and attached from early on, and because we're both English we got to know each other very well. We became very good friends when we were shooting. So when we had a weekend off, him and I, we might go and do some shooting back out in his house in country and I'd go and chill out there. We've grown very close since we finished filming as well so that's been nice.

LF: I know you're working on stage at the moment, what are your plans after that?

CC: The run is going to be four months which is great as it's the first time in my professional career that I've been able to spend some quality time at my home and with my dog; who is currently asleep in my dressing room.

LF: What's his name?

CC: His name's Ralf; he's a mongrel terrier, and an absolute delight.

LF: Did think you will stay on stage or are you keen to get back into another film?

CC: Well I love film. I've always loved films and I'm more of a film generation really. You know doing a movie is a huge buzz. Being on a film set, all the special effects, all the large numbers of people on set; I love all that. However, creatively it doesn't get better than being on stage so in terms of actual acting; being on the stage is the best it gets. You get an entire journey; you get to start the beginning and finish at the end each night.

LF: What are you planning on doing after the run?

CC: It's kinda unclear, I've been offered a couple of films which is really nice. It's the first time I've ever been in that position where there are jobs for me to do, if I want to do them. That's a dream really and all you can ever hope for as an actor is to be able to have jobs that are available if you want to do them. It's such a nice thought to know that you can go on to do something at the end of the current show.

LF: Are there any particular actors or directors you'd like to work with in the future?

CC: Yeah loads! I'd love to work with the Coen Brothers. I'd love to work with Daniel Day-Lewis; obviously who wouldn't? Laura Linney, I think she's amazing. Gabriel Byrne and Gene Hackman - there's so many! I'd love to work with some of the Spanish set; they're taking over at the moment.

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