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If you want to play action-movie bingo, consider the new Amazon filmTom Clancys Without Remorse.
Theres a bit of a disconnect in tones.
ForWithout Remorse, that meant playing Viktor Rykov, the man who kills John Kellys wife and gets away.
I did work a bit, but not in the way that Im used to.
I did shoot someStranger Things, and I did a couple movies.
Im also a writer, and I was taking on other projects.
So I kept very busy.
But yeah, a lot of it was not being on set and just being at home.
And that felt absolutely insane!
I think anyone whos an actor will be able to play someone whos on house arrest very easily.
A serious role in a blockbuster action movie is a bit outside your normal wheelhouse.
And I just love playing different types of characters.
I want to do a lot more varied stuff.
This is a role that looms large in the movie.
This is a large character.
Hes essentially an American jihadist.
His religion is democracy.
I mean, this is a very intense guy.
So [it meant] throwing everything I had at it.
When youre playing Shakespeare or Arthur Miller, you have to fill these larger-than-life characters.
And you also have to fill the theater.
So I would think about almost inflating my presence.
And to be funny, youre grabbing everyones attention in the room.
And it means a lot when it means something to people.
This was a cool opportunity to do that in a dramatic and action context instead of a comedic one.
Its the same thing with Christopher WalkensPulp Fictionspeech: It sticks in my mind.
Or Mel Brooks as the governor inBlazing Saddles.
Not to be too cliche, but there are no small parts; you throw yourself in.
You said earlier that it had been a fantasy of yours to play a villain in an action movie.
But beyond him, I just think the greatest villain ever is Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber inDie Hard.
When I saw that performance, I was like,Look at the fun this actor is having.
And yet theres such a charm to him.
And such a menace.I was always influenced by certain villain performances.
Did those villains always appeal to you more than the heroes?Yes.
The villains or the comedic side characters, which I got to play inStranger Thingsas Murray.
But as Ive gotten older, I love the great heroes.
I mean, I love Harrison Ford so much.
Hes, to me, probably the greatest action star.
And Bruce Willis inDie Hard.
These are roles that really speak to me.
But when I was younger, yeah, I gravitated more toward the villain even in dramas.
I remember seeing Joe Pesci inGoodfellasand going,Oh my God, look at this.
What a blast being such a bad guy.
This is a pretty serious movie.
I would have a lot of laughs with Michael [B. Jordan].
Michael likes to have a good time.
But nothing so specific.
Its always just fluid.
This movie proved that you look natural holding a gun.
And youve worked alongsidePhoebe Waller-Bridge.
So Ive got to ask: Are you going to be in the newMr.
& Mrs. Smithremake?I mean, I should be.
I havent gotten any calls yet, butHello!
Phoebe, Donald [Glover], lets go!
Give me a role, give me a gun, and Im there.
That would be cool.
But no, I have not been contacted.
And I imagine I wouldve at this point.
I dont have to be ineverything.
