LUKE BRANDON FIELD
JOJO RABBIT’S LUKE BRANDON FIELD TALKS ABOUT BEING THE BAD GUY
There’s a lot to be said for being in the right place at the right time. For Jojo Rabbit actor Luke Brandon Field, it meant the difference between being cast in an Oscar-winning film – or not. He tells OK!, “I was in London for a wedding and my agent called me up to see if I wanted to audition. Would I have got that audition if I’d been in LA?”
But as a Jewish man, landing the role of Christoph, a Nazi, in Taika Waititi’s historical satire had “a lot of weight to it”.
Here, the charming 31-year-old Brit, who has lived in LA for the past six years, tells OK! about partying with Sir
Elton John and why he loves to play the bad boy…
Congratulations on Jojo Rabbit’s Oscar wins! How did you all celebrate?
We party hopped.
Elton John’s was amazing. Sam
Fender played and they did a duet.
Then I went to the
Warner Brothers party, Guy Oseary’s party [Madonna’s manager], and Jay Z’s at the end. On Oscar night, time stands still. I cleared the schedule for the next 24 hours, it felt like New Year’s Day!
What was filming like?
To be part of an Oscar-winning movie is the dream. Just to work with these incredible names, like Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson and Rebel Wilson, who is hilarious, and a legend. Then Taika, the chief, was just incredible.
As a Jewish man, what was it like putting on that uniform?
It has a lot of weight to it, of course. I loved the script and when I got the role, I was like, “OK, right I’m playing a Nazi.” But you have to leave everything personal at the door, so you can give the best performance. Taika had prescribed us books to read and while on a plane for 11 hours I watched all the documentaries I could on the Hitler Youth. The woman next to me said, “I’m really sorry but what are you doing? I’m a little uncomfortable…” I had to explain.
What would be your dream role?
I’d love to do a music biopic. My favourite band are The Clash and I’d love to play Joe Strummer. But I’d also love to do a biopic of Wham! George or Andrew, I’d play either! I’d also love to be a Bond villain. I enjoy playing the bad guy. It’s interesting that the bad guys don’t think they are bad.
What’s life like as a Brit in LA?
When I first moved here, people would ask, “Do you know the Queen? Have you been to Notting Hill? Have you had tea with Hugh Grant?” But now less so, because there are loads of Brits here. I love living in LA. My dad lives there which is great, but I miss the rest of my family. This is a blokey answer, but I do miss going to watch Arsenal play.
Tell us about your next film?
It’s a comedy heist and I am the bad guy, who is a sort of Indie Rock and Roller. Growing up around the Camden Indie scene, I took a lot from that. I used Pete Doherty as a big inspiration for the character.