When I started HeyUGuys just over two years ago, I never thought that it would take me to a place where I’d get the chance to interviewing Oscar winning actor and all round legend, Denzel Washington! Well, with his new movie, Unstoppable coming out this Wednesday in UK cinemas, I got just the chance and it was one of the highlights of the past two years and 25 minutes spent that I’ll never forget!
Hope you enjoy in the interview and check out my review of the movie here.
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You’ve done five films with Tony Scott Now – What is it about working with him that you like so much?
In the past 18 years, we’ve done 5 movies. He calls me! That’s the only way it’s going to happen. He says “hey you wanna do this” but he also makes excellent films and it’s a good mix for me with good character based film or good character based action films.
Cant we look forward to you working together again in the future?
(Leans into the microphone and says slowly…) He hasn’t called me for Top Gun 2 yet!
Are you heavily involved in the casting process and did you get involved in casting Rosario’s character?
Well I do have casting approval, yes! I didn’t have to get involved in Rosario’s character as he said what do you think about Rosario and I said ‘yes’. In the true story, it was the woman who was the boss.
Did you see some of the footage of the real event?
I did. Tony got all the tapes. And these guys really unhitched their train, went backwards and caught it! They didn’t run on the top of it like we did! And I’m sure there was no seventy piece orchestra playing as they were doing it!
Was that you running on top of the train?
A lot of it was, yeah. A stuntman did an overwhelming amount but I really did it, I had to do it, running on top of a train going 50mph… like a fool!
What did that feel like, was it scary?
Yes it was. Well, I got used to it, being up there. One of the most frightening ones was when we were about to go over that big turn on top of the train and the train was up in the air 100 feet at that part of the movie. I didn’t have to do any running at that part – and I wouldn’t have! I wouldn’t have been running up there. It was bad enough when it was on the ground. I wouldn’t have been running up there! No sir!!
Ho w has your relationship working with Tony changed over that time?
I’m sure I’ve got more to say now just cos I know more. I was just glad to be there the first time. He wants my input. He’s the director. One of the best things about working with him on so many films now is that I trust him, I know he’s going to shoot the heck out of it. My whole thing is script development and then, personally character developments.
You’ve shot two films with trains now. Can you actually drive a train?
The first film (The Taking of Pelham 123) was more about the hostages. This one, it’s all about the train and I did learn how to drive a train.
Were the scenes with Chris Pine actually shot on an actually train?
Nothing was shot on a set. I didn’t shoot anything with green screen or CGI. They built a platform around the front of this car, then they cut the back of the car off and they put a circle track around the front half of that car. So you see those scenes where we’re talking and we’re heading down a track at 50mph with this big contraction going around in a circle. It was a real challenge for him. There were two sections we were shooting there was a road alongside. They were in a pickup truck with 5 cameras flying along with us. Helicopters were keeping up with us and they were kinda frightening too cos they got real close and were right on top of us!
What do you think of 3d?
I think the industry will jump onto whatever the new thing is; bleed them until they’re useless or till people get sick of it until the next thing comes along!
What did you think of Avatar?
I haven’t seen it! He doesn’t need my money! Trust me. He doesn’t need my money, he’s doing alright! (Laughs)
What did have you liked this year?
I’m not really a movie buff. I liked Hurt Locker, An Education, and the other one with Cary Mulligan, Never Let Me Go, The Other Guys, Public Enemies.
Are there are roles you’ve turned down that you’re regretted?
Seven and Michael Clayton. I would have been the kid in Seven…. I was younger then! (Laughs!)
Which life stories would you be interested in as you’ve done a few now?
None. There’s no check list, they just happen. Dickie Attenborough asked if I wanted to Steve Beco, Spike asked if I wanted to be Malcolm X – Yeah!
Is there a checklist with other directors or actors you’d like to work with?
No. Although there’s the obvious ones like Scorsese or Tarantino….. they haven’t called!
You have this amazing profile now. Has fame changed your life or have you remained the same person?
Everything changes your life; the rain changes your life! You can’t walk around as much!
Do you resent that?
I lead a great life. I have no complaints! It’s a job for my publicist to keep me on a low profile. And I think that to a degree you can control that by not doing something stupid number one. I’m a low key guy who’s not looking to be at every premiere. I’m just a normal guy who’s an actor.
What did you do to prepare for the movie?
Hit the trains. Met the guys, learnt to drive a train, drove a train, by myself. Met the guy who I play! He’s the one who talked about his daughters working at Hooters so we put that right into the movie!
Did you see the train as the enemy / the villain of this film?
I think so. He definitely shot it like that. Low angle shots making it more imposing. It’s the beast and we even call it the beat. It’s like a monster He tweaked the music and the sound to make it like that.
Which role that you’ve played are you most proud of?
I don’t really think about it that way. I don’t look back, I look forward. I watch my movies so I can talk to the press so I can know what I’m talking about but after that, I don’t want them. It’s gone; I’ve spent that money (laughs!)! I don’t get any joy out if it. For me the best part of it is making it. It’s the process, I’ve just never been one to live in the part!
There’s a moment in the film when a badger runs in front of the train! Was that a stunt badger!
(Whole room laughs!) Did you see that?! Down the track! I’m not at liberty to say cos I know Fox are going back and forth with the badger union! That was a trip! That had to be real, that couldn’t have been a CGI badger! He made it though, he was like I’ve done this before!!
Unstoppable is released in the UK this Wednesday 24th November.
