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Speak softly, carry a big light sabre >> Ewan McGregor on leaping budgets and The Phantom Menace
by MATTHEW HAYS
An earthy style which no doubt caught the eye of Star Wars guru George Lucas, who cast McGregor in the coveted central role of his much-anticipated prequel The Phantom Menace (which opens May 19). But despite the relentless media badgering, McGregor hasn't told any tales about the movie. In fact, he was sworn to secrecy when he first learned about his landing the role. "Naturally, it was a thrill," he says. "And it was difficult to keep quiet. I had played with Star Wars toys as a kid. In fact, I had my own light sabre. I found out while filming Velvet Goldmine, and the only person I could tell was my wife."
Star Wars denial McGregor says the whole idea of starring in the continuation of one of the most successful film franchises in history didn't entirely sink in at first. "I didn't think about it too hard for a long time. I guess I was in a kind of Star Wars denial." McGregor reports that much of the shoot, which was shot in desert climes, was "very tiring and very difficult," but adds that the role itself wasn't as tricky as others he's tackled. "I've played harder parts. There isn't a whole lot of psychological work to do here. You deliver the lines and hope they do the backgrounds nicely." McGregor also seems confidant about his post-Star Wars acting life. There will undoubtedly be at least two more movies in the set (this is the first part of a trilogy, Lucas tells us). The original trilogy didn't always serve cast members well, however. Harrison Ford is the only superstar to have emerged after The Return of the Jedi; Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill ended up with careers that faltered and sank (though Fisher gained credibility as a screenwriter and script doctor). McGregor is confident his previous work will keep him active, whether or not Phantom Menace lives up to its considerable pre-release hype.
Fully stocked fridge With Star Wars on his CV, McGregor has what is perhaps one of the strangest track records of any young screen actor working today. His films involving full-frontal nudity (Pillow Book, Velvet Goldmine)--indicating he's always carried a big light saber--are "just my way of doing something for women's lib," he says. He appeared in the low-budget charmer Little Voice last year, and spent several months in Montreal shooting Stephan (Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert) Elliott's latest film, Eye of the Beholder. Did the Star Wars set feel terrifically different from his lower budget appearances? "You know, it's funny, but in front of the camera, it's the same deal wherever you are, no matter what the budget is. The difference is how big your dressing room is and whether or not the fridge is stocked up every day. That doesn't really mean anything in terms of the work." But the marked difference, McGregor concedes, was the strict code of discretion he had to endure while making The Phantom Menace--unlike any movie he'd ever worked on (or probably ever will). Lucas was insistent that cast and crew attempt to keep as much of the Phantom Menace mystique intact as was humanly possible. What was it like for McGregor to work in such abject secrecy? "I can't tell you."
The Phantom Menace opens Wednesday, May 19 |
Ewan McGregor is totally at ease with himself. Nary a drop of pretense--he's a down-to-earth, pleasant Scot whose simple, straightforward style won over indie audiences with turns in such bleak chic trailblazers as Shallow Grave and Trainspotting.