MacFadyen on playing Darcy
The Telegraph gave Matthew MacFadyen an opportunity to plug his latest projects in an article about the actor. Of interest to Janeites is his description of his take on Darcy:
Likewise, he says, he feels for Darcy, not playing him as an arrogant stiff who softens with love, but as a complicated young man struggling with huge responsibilities (his parents have died; he has inherited, at 28, [sic] a house and estate and responsibility for an entire community of workers), whose awkwardness occasionally becomes crass. ‘It’s a wonderful part,’ he says.
‘I didn’t see Colin Firth’s Darcy or Olivier’s, so I didn’t think of it as an iconic part. I just really felt for Darcy himself. He’s got that adolescent quality of when you think really deeply but sometimes behave callously.’ He shrugs again. ‘I’m sure the knives will be out for me playing him. I bet loads of actors passed on it for that reason.’
Joe Wright, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE’S director, commented on Macfadyen’s appraisal of Darcy-Fear amongst leading men. Shockingly, the director maintains that MacFadyen was the only actor seriously considered for the part. (This must be the first time a director has ever made such a statement to the press.)
Wright laughs. ‘Matthew was the first person I thought of when I read the script,’ he says. ‘I think he’s the best actor of his generation. We had to do a worldwide search, because we couldn’t leave any stone unturned in case there was a better Darcy. But there wasn’t. There aren’t many young male actors who have clout and sex appeal and yet aren’t afraid of not being liked.
“He’s unlikable at first, Darcy, and most actors are terrified of not being liked - not Matthew. And yet he has an openness that allows you to fall in love with him.’
This Cub Reporter, for one, is very much looking forward to what MacFadyen brings to the screen as Darcy.
June 8th, 2005 at 10:45 am
HA! We posted at the same time. Lots of good stuff in this one. I think he gets it.
But knives out? Us?? I’m wounded, I am.
June 8th, 2005 at 11:19 am
I always figured I was safe posting around 7:30 my time as I assumed you’d be at work. I hate posting over top of you, as I always like your take on stuff better than mine.
We could be all fangirly and post a countdown clock until September 16/23 on the site. Nah, probably not, huh?
(Of course, I’m still in a fangirly mood over Bo [SQUEEEEE] Bice.)
June 9th, 2005 at 2:43 am
I want the countdown clock! Or at least the fangirl in me wants it… :blush
June 12th, 2005 at 1:59 pm
Oooh. Having read this, I’m all green with envy now. One lucky girl got this sexy man who sincerely owns being married is so sexy.
BTW, I have total trust in Matthew Macfadyen. He can convince me in any role, especially Darcy. He’s got that animal instinct of a natural born actor. He keeps you interested even in his smallest moves. Simply can’t wait!