October 23rd 2024.
Coming soon to a TV near you, Eddie Redmayne is taking on a thrilling new role in the highly anticipated show, The Day of the Jackal. Fans have been buzzing about the comparisons between his character and the iconic James Bond, and Eddie has finally responded to the speculation.
In this new series, based on the 1971 novel by Frederick Forsyth, Eddie plays the infamous Jackal, a cunning and deadly assassin known for his lethal skills and codename. The character was immortalized in the 1973 film adaptation, with Edward Fox delivering a memorable performance that is still revered as one of the greatest political thrillers in cinema.
Last night, at the London premiere of The Day of the Jackal, Eddie spoke to Metro about his role as both the lead actor and executive producer of the show. Many have drawn parallels between the Jackal and James Bond, especially after seeing Eddie's impressive physical transformation and action-packed scenes as a sniper.
While flattered by the comparison, the 42-year-old actor made it clear that he has no interest in taking on the role of 007. "Whenever anyone brings out the James Bond thing, it's deeply flattering, but I love watching the Bond movies, and I don't want to see me in the Bond movies. I want to see someone else in the Bond movies," he explained.
Growing up with the tales of the Jackal, Eddie was inspired by Edward Fox's performance in the 1973 film. "There was a kind of casual, ruthless, debonair quality to him, the kind of peacocking thing that I loved, and also the shape-shifting quality that kind of defines him as a character. So I feel pretty thrilled to have got to play this guy," he shared.
Screenwriter Ronan Bennett, who penned the script for the new TV adaptation, highlighted the major difference between the Jackal and Bond. "We all love Bond, but it's heightened. It's not really real. What I've tried to do here, and what I think Eddie has excelled in, has been portraying a real person with a real hinterland, a real backstory, and keeping the character grounded in reality," he said.
The show's executive producers, Gareth Neame and Nigel Marchant, initially had reservations about adapting such a revered novel and film for a modern audience. However, they were impressed by Eddie's meticulous approach to his role, which included learning languages, perfecting body movement, and undergoing extensive prosthetic transformations for the Jackal's disguises.
With the Jackal being offered an exorbitant fee for a high-profile assassination, MI6 agent Bianca, played by Lashana Lynch (who will also appear in the upcoming James Bond film, No Time To Die), is hot on his trail. She's determined to uncover his identity and bring him to justice.
The Day of the Jackal premieres on November 7th on Sky Atlantic and NOW. Will you be tuning in to see Eddie's captivating performance? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. And if you have any celebrity stories, videos, or pictures, don't hesitate to reach out to us - we'd love to hear from you!
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