Scottish actor Emun Elliott has a busy year in 2012, with roles in Ridley Scott’s much-anticipated Alien prequel Prometheus, Channel 4’s adaptation of Kate Mosse’s Labyrinth, BBC Three’s lesbian drama Lip Service, and a second series of Doctor Who writer Tom MacRae’s sitcom Threesome for Comedy Central.
CultBox caught up with Emun to find out more…
Which of the Prometheus cast did you get to work with?
“I worked with most of them, but primarily Idris Elba, Michael Fassbender and Benedict Wong. Benedict and I play the pilots of the ship and Idris plays the captain, so we work in this sort of threesome. It was really straightforward; we had a brilliant script so it was just a case of doing justice to that.
“[Director Ridley Scott] kinda gave us free reign to do whatever we wanted to do and gave us nudges here and there. Idris is not only one of the sexiest men I’ve ever encountered but also one of the coolest. I learnt an awful lot working with him.”
Have you seen a final cut of the film?
“I haven’t seen much of it yet, I’ve been in to do some ADR and seen the trailers, but I think it’s going to be a brilliant film. I think Ridley’s even more excited about it than anyone else!
“It’s got a cult following already because of the Alien movies and the cast they’ve put together is phenomenal. As well as this incredible world and visual effects, I think you’re also going to see some smashing performances. I’m just excited to see the film now!”
What was Ridley Scott like to work with?
“He’s in his early 70s now, but his energy levels are remarkable. He’s a freak of nature!
“There’s a cheekiness about him and a sense of mischief but he also works like a general. He knows exactly what’s going on in all departments. He just goes in and commands the spaced and people listen. Also he’s not really got anything to prove, he just makes it so relaxed and there’s no rehearsal, he just trusts the actors and the crew so much.”
What were your personal highlights of the shoot?
“I think stepping onto the set for the first time. I’d seen the Alien movies and it felt like we had these landmark shoes to fill. There was a real feeling of anxiousness and trepidation at first, but I remember speaking to Charlize [Theron] and her saying she was as nervous as the rest of us! Once the cameras started rolling though you realise that it’s just like any other job.
“But yeah, just wondering about in a space suit with a big globe over your head, you’d get so far onto these massive sets that you felt like you were actually on another planet or a spaceship.”
Did you get to keep your space suit?
“No, unfortunately not – I think I got a t-shirt!”
[Major spoiler below… highlight the next two lines if you really, really want to read it.)
Ridley Scott’s said “If we’re lucky, there’ll be a second part” – would you be up for returning in a sequel?
“Well, I’m sure if you see the film… I don’t know if I should say this! There’s absolutely no chance of me returning! But it’s sci-fi so stranger things have happened. If they found a way, I’d be in!”
You’ve got Channel 4’s Labyrinth coming up too; can you tell us a bit about that?
“It’s based on the novel by Kate Mosse – not the model. It’s a bestseller, so I think it’s already got a huge following.
“I play a character called Guilhem du Mas, a French chevalier. It takes place at the time of the early Christian crusades in this horribly violent, desperate time in medieval France. I’ve seen a rough cut and it’s massively exciting, it was definitely one of the best experiences of my life.
“My character basically goes around sleeping with beautiful women and killing Catholic crusaders on the back of the horse – so it was a bit of a dream!”
We spoke to Merlin star Katie McGrath a while back and she told us that “the fight scenes are massive and epic”. Did you have many fight scenes yourself?
“Yeah, loads of fight scenes! I prepared physically before the job kicked off, but [director] Chris Smith likes to take things to extremes! There’s loads of gore, lots of sex… when it comes to those moments, he’ll capture as much as you’re willing to give.
“It’s pretty hard to look though and elegant when you’re wearing real chain mail and five layers of leather, carrying a sword that weighs half your body weight. I think we really underestimate how solid these guys must have been! From what I’ve seen it looks more like a feature film than television, it should be very high quality.”
> Read the first part of our exclusive interview with Emun.
Are you looking forward to Prometheus and Labyrinth? Let us know below…
> Buy Series 1 of Lip Service on DVD on Amazon.
> Order Series 2 of Lip Service on DVD on Amazon.
Watch the Prometheus trailer…