ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Can you tell me more about your character Basil and his role in the story?
Hes the member of the gang who got away, and theres very limited information on him.
We also knew he had a key to the building.
Studio Canal
I felt like we had to try and explain two things.
Why was he friends with these guys in the first place?
And why did he not have other criminal, younger friends?
Studio Canal
As a result, his one friend was this eighty-something year old man.
It became almost even more interesting.
Michael Caine, Jim Broadbent, Tom Courtenay, Michael Gambon, etc.
these are British acting legends.
Did you know they were all involved when you signed on?
Was that daunting and exciting to sign on to?I mean unbelievably so.
These guys are my heroes.
To this day, Im still pinching myself about it.
I feel like I can die happy.
Just the idea that I was allowed to be part of that group.
To share this screen with them, even for a minute, is such an honor and privilege.
Obviously thats the highlight of my working life.
And probably something that I will think of as one the great moments for the duration.
One of the guys, Paul Whitehouse, is actually quite well-known for doing animpression of Michael Caine.
We didnt know if Michael knew that or not.
And Paul was horrified, but then Michael was like, Go on then, lets hear it.
It was a very amusing moment where Paul Whitehouse was doing an impression of Michael Caine for Michael Caine.
Because obviously it was brilliant.
What was the biggest challenge of the film?It was trying to figure out who Basil was.
Its just awful and wonderful and hilarious and tragic all at the same time.
[Laughs] Its why I like acting.
If I ever have to lie in real life, Im the worst liar.
I just give myself away immediately.
