you talkin’ to me?
Film quotes pose as questions. Film stars try to cope.
Are you talking to me?
Yes! Everyone’s a De Niro fan to an extent. It’s just whether they call him their favourite actor, or whether they hold him in that number five spot. I don’t think he can slip much lower.
Do you feel lucky, punk?
I’ve been very lucky. And I’m not dismissing my hard work, blood, sweat and tears, but I’m very grateful for that… But don’t call me a punk. You’re lucky you’re on the phone. [laughs]
Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?
When I was shooting If Beale Street Could Talk, I was doing a night shoot in the middle of the Bronx, fulfilling a morally dark role where it was my obligation to represent institutional racism. When I finished I truly felt like I’d danced with the devil, and I felt dirty for dancing so intimately. It was nice to wake up the next day and live with the angels again.
What’s your favourite scary movie?
It (2017). Originally, it would have been the Tim Curry one, because I love that, for all of its flaws. Me and my brother have been quoting Pennywise since we were 10. I actually read for the part of Pennywise. I basically did a Tim Curry impression and – surprise, surprise – didn’t get the job. But I thought Bill Skarsgård was just brilliant. The toys are sitting in front of me right now. I’ve got the new Skarsgård next to all of my Ninja Turtles and my Deadpool toys.
If you could change something in your life, anything at all, what would it be?
It sounds pretentious, and like a complete fucking lie, but I genuinely wouldn’t change anything. Because you know what? It is what it is, mate.
You talk the talk; do you walk the walk?
Abso-fucking-lutely. My word is my bond. By the decisions we make, we lead by example. Walking the walk is important in this time of “talk, talk, talk”.
You ever have that feeling where you’re not sure if you’re awake or still dreaming?
I’ve got that right now! Actually,
I use a lot of sensory deprivation tanks, flotation tanks, especially when I’m shooting. When I get to a new city, I google whether they’ve got them. They take away everything we latch on to – time, social interactions, digital interactions – so all you’re left with is your consciousness. And that’s certainly somewhere between reality and a dream.
When you can live forever, what do you live for?
The only thing to live for is love. Love for family, for self-expression, for others, for self. I’m just full of naff old clichés today! But love is all there really is.
Why so serious?
I love that performance by Heath Ledger. I’d say The Dark Knight is in my top five movies of all time. I was watching it the other day, and just marvelling. I’m going to stay clichéd and obvious and say that and Christoph Waltz in Inglourious Basterds are my favourite performances of the last 10 years, if not all time.
Only two kinds of men get shot – criminals and victims. Which one are you?
Depends what the screenwriter’s decided for that day! I stay out of trouble, and try not to get shot – other than by 35mm film or an Arri Alexa digital. I may have seen or been around violence in my life, but guns just don’t sit right with me. They’re just so negative, and destructive.
What do you call a blind dinosaur?
[A do-you-think-he-saurus!]
I’m stealing that to use on my little one. Thank you for making me not feel so obvious and naff.
What’s my name?
Francis! “He got Ajax from the dish soap.” [laughs] With Deadpool we caught lightning in a fucking bottle, man. The fact it resonated with so many people was amazing, because the experience of making it is still one of the most positive and fun things I’ve ever done. You dream of projects turning out like that. But who knows how Alita could turn out. Creatively, there are so many safe bets, but that movie is a fun gamble. To have James Cameron’s hands over it at all times; but for it to be shot at Troublemaker Studios, with all of Robert [Rodriguez]’s people… I can’t fucking wait to go and watch it.
‘i Read For Pennywise And Basically Did A Tim Curry Impression… I Didn’t Get It’