[IMG:L]It’s been 8 years since Jamie Bell hung up his tutu, after playing the ballet dancing–award-winning–title character in Billy Elliot, that’s now also inspired a major production headed to Broadway this fall.
Since that time, Bell, now 22, has had the opportunity to grow up working alongside powerhouse film icons, such as Clint Eastwood (Flags of Our Fathers), and icon-in-the-making, Peter Jackson (King Kong).
Bell‘s latest role is that of Griffin, a Jumper who takes a more heroic approach to his superpower than main character David Rice. While David’s life is one of excess, Griffin is content in his modest Egyptian quarters, spending his days staving off the efforts of Paladins who aim to destroy every living Jumper.
Faced with five questions, the promising young Jumper star shot back with thoughts touching on his past film work, his genre of choice, and what it’s really like to flip the middle finger at the coolest actor on Earth.
[IMG:R]Hollywood.com: So, now that it’s been a few months since the first round of press for Jumper, has your perspective on the film changed at all?
Jamie Bell: I’m very happy with it. I don’t really make this kind of film very often, but I’m really dying for another go. I’d like to try it again. Now that we’ve figured out how it works and who these people are, we can go and do it better. It was such an experimental thing, especially on Doug [Liman]’s part. The character I created here was something so crazy, and one that, I think, you don’t see often in these types of films–a neurotic, English, eccentric hero. That’s bizarre. [Smiling in disbelief] Like, what is that?!
Hollywood.com: So what kind of films are you most comfortable working on, if not this genre?
Jamie Bell: I much prefer the smaller, independent films, following a linear story about a person. Those character-driven films are much more interesting to me. I also find it much more rewarding.
[IMG:L]Hollywood.com: What was it like working with such big directors so far in your career?
Jamie Bell: The studio films that I have done have been amazing experiences. I’ll never forget working with Peter Jackson; just showing up to New Zealand, this far-away place, was so crazy. The first day of shooting with Clint Eastwood, I think I forgot all of my lines and was like, “OK, well how do I act again?” You learn from that kind of stuff, and you’re learning from people who are at the top of their game.
Hollywood.com: Growing up young in the business, do you think you’ve arrived at a place where you can dictate where you want to go and what you want to do?
Jamie Bell: There’s always been that struggle, as an actor, that if you’re not king of the box office you won’t stay alive. That pressure when your 22 is quite ridiculous. I’ve been instructed to do so many movies that have since come out and been complete disasters. I’m very comfortable and I like the no-pressure approach. If something comes up and I like it, I’ll do it. And I’ll definitely avoid the bad ones for sure.
[IMG:R]Hollywood.com: I would think it has to be super cool to get into a really good fight with Samuel L. Jackson. I asked Hayden [Christensen] before who he thought got the better of him and he conceded to you. What do you think?
Jamie Bell: Let’s put it this way–[in the movie] Hayden got the sh*t kicked out of him by Sam in his own apartment. Sam comes to my territory, and I throw a double-decker bus at him. Plus, I get to flip him the bird [the middle finger], which is like 10 bonus points. I don’t think anyone’s ever done that before…
Hollywood.com: …And lived to tell about it? I don’t think so.
Jamie Bell: …Exactly. But, hey, Hayden is “the hero,” he’s the “protagonist,” so I suppose he has to win.
