Andy Serkis
|
BirthDate BirthPlace |
04/19/1964
Ruislip, London, England |
-
'The Hurt Locker' Wins Big at BAFTAs
February 21, 2010 4:02pm ESTThe Hurt Locker stole the show at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards on Sunday night -- scooping six trophies, including Best Film and Best Director for Kathryn Bigelow. The war thriller also won prizes for original screenplay, cinematography, editing, and sound during the ceremony at London's Royal Opera House. Accepting her award for Best Director, Bigelow said, "What an honor, especially to be in this room filled with so many incredibly talented people that I've admired and been inspired by for decades." Colin Firth beat out Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart), George Clooney (Up In The Air), Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker) and Andy Serkis (Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll) to win the Leading Actor title for his role in Tom Ford's directorial debut, A Single Man. Firth paid tribute to Ford while picking up the trophy, saying, "I think an encounter with Tom Ford is to come away resuscitated, a little more worldly, better informed, better groomed, more fragrant and more nominated than one has ever been before. I've worked with a lot of great directors and he's definitely up there with the very best of them." Carey Mulligan scooped Leading Actress for An Education, triumphing over Hollywood veteran Meryl Streep (Julie & Julia), French star Audrey Tautou (Coco Before Chanel), Saoirse Ronan (The Lovely Bones), and Gabourey Sidibe (Precious). Mulligan was shocked at her award, saying, "I didn't expect this at all so I didn't think of anything to say. Thank you so much. BAFTA, that's just... I was a here a year ago and I just never imagined in a million years..." Christoph Waltz was awarded Supporting Actor for his role in Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds, and Mo'Nique was named Supporting Actress for her part in Precious. Twilight star Kristen Stewart picked up the Orange Rising Star Award -- the only prize to be voted for by the public -- and veteran actress Vanessa Redgrave received the BAFTA Fellowship honor to mark her notable career. The list of winners is as follows: Best Film - The Hurt Locker Director - Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker Leading Actor - Colin Firth, A Single Man Leading Actress - Carey Mulligan, An Education Outstanding debut by a U.K. filmmaker - Duncan Jones, Moon Outstanding British Film - Fish Tank Supporting Actor - Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds Supporting Actress - Mo'nique, Precious: Based on the Novel Push Sapphire Animated Film - Up Adapted Screenplay - Up In The Air Orange Rising Star Award - Kristen Stewart Special Visual Effects - Avatar Original Screenplay - The Hurt Locker Production Design - Avatar Film Not In The English Language - A Prophet Sound - The Hurt Locker Editing - The Hurt Locker Cinematography - The Hurt Locker Fellowship - Vanessa Redgrave (c) 2010 WORLD ENTERTAINMENT NEWS NETWORK LTD. All global rights reserved. No unauthorized copying or re-distributing permitted.
-
The Hurt Locker wins big at BAFTAs
February 21, 2010 2:00pm ESTThe war thriller also won prizes for original screenplay, cinematography, editing, and sound during the ceremony at London's Royal Opera House. Accepting her award for Best Director, Bigelow said, "What an honour, especially to be in this room filled with so many incredibly talented people that I've admired and been inspired by for decades." Colin Firth saw off Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart), George Clooney (Up In The Air), Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker) and Andy Serkis (Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll) to win the Leading Actor title for his role in Tom Ford's directorial debut, A Single Man. Firth paid tribute to Ford while picking up the trophy, saying, "I think an encounter with Tom Ford is to come away resuscitated, a little more worldly, better informed, better groomed, more fragrant and more nominated than one has ever been before. I've worked with a lot of great directors and he's definitely up there with the very best of them." Carey Mulligan scooped Leading Actress for An Education, triumphing over Hollywood veteran Meryl Streep (Julie & Julia), French star Audrey Tautou (Coco Before Chanel), Saoirse Ronan (The Lovely Bones), and Gabourey Sidibe (Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire). Mulligan was shocked at her award, saying, "I didn't expect this at all so I didn't think of anything to say. Thank you so much. BAFTA, that's just... I was a here a year ago and I just never imagined in a million years..." Christoph Waltz was awarded Supporting Actor for his role in Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds, and Mo'Nique was named Supporting Actress for her part in Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire. Twilight star Kristen Stewart picked up the Orange Rising Star Award - the only prize to be voted for by the public - and veteran actress Vanessa Redgrave received the BAFTA Fellowship honour to mark her notable career. The list of winners is as follows: Best Film - The Hurt Locker Director - Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker Leading Actor - Colin Firth, A Single Man Leading Actress - Carey Mulligan, An Education Outstanding debut by a U.K. filmmaker - Duncan Jones, Moon Outstanding British Film - Fish Tank Supporting Actor - Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds Supporting Actress - Mo'nique, Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire Animated Film - Up Adapted Screenplay - Up In The Air Orange Rising Star Award - Kristen Stewart Special Visual Effects - Avatar Original Screenplay - The Hurt Locker Production Design - Avatar Film Not In The English Language - A Prophet Sound - The Hurt Locker Editing - The Hurt Locker Cinematography - The Hurt Locker Fellowship - Vanessa Redgrave
-
Bowie's son Jones wins outstanding debut award at BAFTAs
February 21, 2010 12:00pm ESTJones was handed the first honour during the ceremony at London's Royal Albert Hall and had to compose himself as Colin Firth presented him with the prize. Jones told the audience it's taken him his whole life to realise he wanted to be a film-maker - and the BAFTA Award is a vindication of his career choice. During his speech, Jones said, "Wow, thank you so much. I didn't actually realise how much this meant to me. It's taken me an awful long time to know what I wanted to do with my life. Finally, I think I've found what I love doing and I just want to thank everyone who helped me get there." Meanwhile Kathryn Bigelow's war thriller The Hurt Locker was given the Outstanding Screenplay title, beating off competition from Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds, Todd Phillips' The Hangover, The Coens' A Serious Man, and Pete Docter and Bob Peterson's Up. The Hurt Locker, British film An Education, sci-fi blockbuster Avatar, Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire, and Up In The Air are set to compete for the night's Best Picture prize. An Education star Carey Mulligan is up for Best Actress, facing competition from Hollywood veteran Meryl Streep (Julie & Julia), French star Audrey Tautou (Coco Before Chanel), Saoirse Ronan (The Lovely Bones), and Gabourey Sidibe (Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire). Meanwhile, Brit actor Colin Firth is nominated for his performance in fashion designer Tom Ford's directorial debut, A Single Man. He will compete in the Best Actor category alongside Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart), George Clooney (Up In The Air), Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker) and Andy Serkis (Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll).
-
Duff named Best Actress at Evening Standard British Film Awards
February 09, 2010 4:00am ESTThe actress received the Best Actress honour for her turn as John Lennon's mother in Nowhere Boy and she used her acceptance speech to thank McAvoy, who was in the audience. She cooed, "I'd really like to be Mrs. McAvoy for a minute and say thank you for seriously having to live with a flame-haired broken-hearted banjo player for quite some time." It's going to be an exciting year for the happy couple - the McAvoys are expecting their first child together. Also among the winners at the London Film Museum event, Fish Tank claimed the night's Best Film prize and Lord of The Rings star Andy Serkis was named Best Actor for his portrayal of disabled punk icon Ian Dury in Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll. Serkis dedicated the award to the late Blockheads rocker: "Ian, wherever you are, this is for you." Monty Python star Terry Gilliam was also on hand to present Sacha Baron Cohen with the Peter Sellers Award for Bruno, while veteran director Nicolas Roeg won a special award for his contribution to film.
-
Serkis wants to play Bono
January 29, 2010 6:15am ESTSerkis recently delved into the music world with a portrayal of the Blockheads star Ian Dury in Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll. And he would love to land a role playing another music icon - Bono. He tells British music magazine NME, "I could do Bono. Someone will have to write the screenplay." Serkis would also relish the chance to play troubled Pogues singer Shane MacGowan. He adds, "Someone also suggested Shane MacGowan to me, that's not a bad story."
-
An Education, Avatar and The Hurt Locker lead BAFTA nominations
January 21, 2010 4:00am ESTAll three movies will compete against Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire and Up In The Air for the night's Best Picture prize. Neill Blomkamp's sci-fi thriller District 9 is also up for seven awards, while Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds and George Clooney's Up In The Air have six nominations apiece. An Education star Carey Mulligan will compete for the Best Actress statue, facing competition from Hollywood veteran Meryl Streep (Julie & Julia), French star Audrey Tautou (Coco Before Chanel), Saoirse Ronan (The Lovely Bones) and Gabourey Sidibe (Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire). Meanwhile, Brit actor Colin Firth has scooped his second ever BAFTA nomination for his performance in fashion designer Tom Ford's directorial debut, A Single Man. He will compete in the Best actor category alongside Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart), George Clooney (Up In The Air), Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker) and Andy Serkis (Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll). The awards will be handed out at London's Royal Opera House on 21 February (10). The main BAFTA 2010 nominees are: Best Film: Avatar An Education The Hurt Locker Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire Up In The Air Outstanding British Film: An Education Fish Tank In The Loop Moon Nowhere Boy Director: James Cameron - Avatar Neill Blomkamp - District 9 Lone Scherfig - An Education Kathryn Bigelow - The Hurt Locker Quentin Tarantino - Inglourious Basterds Leading Actor: Jeff Bridges - Crazy Heart George Clooney - Up In The Air Colin Firth - A Single Man Jeremy Renner - The Hurt Locker Andy Serkis - Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll Leading Actress: Carey Mulligan - An Education Saoirse Ronan - The Lovely Bones Gabourey Sidibe - Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire Meryl Streep - Julie & Julia Audrey Tautou - Coco Before Chanel Supporting Actor: Alec Baldwin - It's Complicated Christian McKay - Me And Orson Welles Alfred Molina - An Education Stanley Tucci - The Lovely Bones Christoph Waltz - Inglourious Basterds Supporting Actress: Anne-Marie Duff - Nowhere Boy Vera Farmiga - Up In The Air Anna Kendrick - Up In The Air Mo'nique - Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire Kristin Scott Thomas - Nowhere Boy Animated Film: Coraline Fantastic Mr Fox Up.
-
'An Education,' 'Avatar,' 'Hurt Locker' Lead BAFTA Nominations
January 21, 2010 3:43am ESTBritish film An Education, sci-fi blockbuster Avatar and war thriller The Hurt Locker are set to go head-to-head at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards next month -- the films scored eight nominations each. All three movies will compete against Precious and Up in the Air for the night's Best Picture prize. Neill Blomkamp's sci-fi thriller District 9 is also up for seven awards, while Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds and George Clooney's Up in the Air have six nominations apiece. An Education star Carey Mulligan will compete for the Best Actress statue, facing competition from Hollywood veteran Meryl Streep (Julie & Julia), French star Audrey Tautou (Coco Before Chanel), Saoirse Ronan (The Lovely Bones) and Gabourey Sidibe (Precious). Meanwhile, Brit actor Colin Firth has scooped his second-ever BAFTA nomination for his performance in fashion designer Tom Ford's directorial debut, A Single Man. He will compete in the Best Actor category alongside Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart), George Clooney (Up in the Air), Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker) and Andy Serkis (Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll). The awards will be handed out at London's Royal Opera House on Feb. 21. The main BAFTA 2010 nominees are: Best Film: Avatar An Education The Hurt Locker Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire Up in the Air Outstanding British Film: An Education Fish Tank In The Loop Moon Nowhere Boy Director: James Cameron - Avatar Neill Blomkamp - District 9 Lone Scherfig - An Education Kathryn Bigelow - The Hurt Locker Quentin Tarantino - Inglourious Basterds Leading Actor: Jeff Bridges - Crazy Heart George Clooney - Up in the Air Colin Firth - A Single Man Jeremy Renner - The Hurt Locker Andy Serkis - Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll Leading Actress: Carey Mulligan - An Education Saoirse Ronan - The Lovely Bones Gabourey Sidibe - Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire Meryl Streep - Julie & Julia Audrey Tautou - Coco Before Chanel Supporting Actor: Alec Baldwin - It's Complicated Christian McKay - Me and Orson Welles Alfred Molina - An Education Stanley Tucci - The Lovely Bones Christoph Waltz - Inglourious Basterds Supporting Actress: Anne-Marie Duff - Nowhere Boy Vera Farmiga - Up in the Air Anna Kendrick - Up in the Air Mo'nique - Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire Kristin Scott Thomas - Nowhere Boy Animated Film: Coraline Fantastic Mr. Fox Up (c) 2009 WORLD ENTERTAINMENT NEWS NETWORK LTD. All global rights reserved. No unauthorized copying or re-distributing permitted.
-
Serkis' sex ban over Dury role
January 09, 2010 4:45am ESTThe actor - who played Gollum in the fantasy trilogy and King Kong in the recent big screen remake - portrays the Blockheads frontman in Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll, a new biopic about his life. And Serkis was so determined to look the part, he endured lengthy gym sessions and waxed all of his body hair off in a bid to emulate the star, who was paralysed down one side. But the actor's appearance didn't impress his wife, who refused to get intimate with him while he shot the movie. He says, "I was determined to do anything I could do to inhabit Ian's body and bring him to life. I started working in the gym on his gait - literally hauling a dead left side with a strong right side - months before we shot it. I also had every single hair on my body waxed off. I am very hirsute to say the least. "She (the beautician) started with my ankles. It was fine at first and I just read my script. Then she crept upwards. When she came to the inner thigh it was excruciating. There were blood blisters all over my legs and she had to do the most tender parts three times. Never again. "Dury had a boyishness to his body. It was important to me to get it right. But my wife didn't like it. I'm afraid there was no sex - let alone drugs or rock and roll - for months. My wife didn't like the way I looked. I think it freaked her out a bit."
-
Jackson: 'The Hobbit prequels are not a done deal'
July 29, 2009 1:02pm ESTJackson has signed on to co-write and co-produce two Hobbit movies, based on the fantasy novels by J.R.R. Tolkien, which will be directed by Guillermo del Toro. Reports suggest the first film is slated for release in 2011, while the second part will follow in 2012. But Jackson insists the projects are still in their very early stages - and they've yet to come up with a script, let alone secure funding for the movies, reports Starpulse. Speaking at Comic-Con in San Diego, California at the weekend (25-26Jul09), Jackson said, "I mean, people assume that we have a green light and we're making the movie which we don't. I mean, we have to deliver the script. The studio obviously has to approve the script and then we have to budget that script because we have no budget yet. They're not going to make the film with an open cheque book so we have to figure out how much it's going to cost and if that's going to be okay. And Jackson is refusing to begin speculating about casting until the script is finished - despite Lord of the Rings actors Sir Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis already expressing their desire to reprise their roles in the franchise. He adds, "We have a process to go through that really, once we get the script delivered, we can break it down, we can do the budgeting, we can figure out schedules and we can move onto the second script that we have to obviously start writing immediately (after) the first one's done. Then we can start casting the movie once we have a budget and once the studio greenlight the movie.".
-
Inkheart Review
January 22, 2009 8:56pm ESTBased on Cornelia Funke’s best-selling children’s book Inkheart takes its literary inspirations literally. It revolves around a father Mortimer “Mo” Folchart (Brendan Fraser) and his 12-year-old daughter Meggie (Eliza Hope Bennett) who share a gift -- or curse -- of being able to make characters leap out of the pages just by reading aloud. Unfortunately whenever they do this a real person must then be transferred into the book as a replacement. It can get complicated especially when Mo accidentally sends his wife (Sienna Guillory) into a book called Inkheart only to bring out its villains to wreak havoc on the real world. He spends the next nine years trying to find another copy of the book and bring her back while one of the book’s main characters Dustfinger (Paul Bettany) follows Mo trying to get back into the book. An adventure waiting to happen! The entire cast is wonderfully in tune with the whimsical tone of this inventive and clever story. Fraser doesn’t stretch any acting muscles but serves the film well as its central father figure and hero. Bettany (Master and Commander) as the literary sidekick Dustfinger steals the whole show giving his character heaping amounts of irony warmth and humanity. Joining them is Helen Mirren who adds an element of elegance and uptightness as the great aunt swept along for the ride. Andy Serkis (LOTR’s Gollum) is properly villainous throughout while Brit Jim Broadbent (Iris) is daffy and hilarious as the author of Inkheart who keeps complicating matters for everyone. Inkheart uses sheer imaginative filmmaking prowess with an engaging story that feels as original and fresh as it does familiar. Director Iain Softley (Wings of the Dove) makes the most of the colorful European locations including the picturesque Italian Riviera transformed into storybook heaven. The film is well-paced carrying a great subtle message about the powers of reading and creative writing. Much like the Oscar-nominated The Reader -- a wildly different kind of movie to be sure -- this film shows the joys of getting lost and in this case found in the world of books.
