At 61, Pierce Brosnan feels it is a new day everyday and he will continue to do action roles till he can act. The maverick actor tells Deebashree Mohanty in an email that he has a long bucket list — a visit to India being one of them. In his latest offering, The November Man, Brosnan plays a lethal, street smart spy being hunted by a friend
How different is Peter Devereaux from the other characters you have played so farIJ
Peter is a dark character. ‘Every time he goes to the city, everyone dies like it is winter’— a line from the book is a metaphor of his life. He has a gun and a knife that he knows how to use effectively and he uses them at will. Though he may question the ethics of his job, especially state sanctioned murders, he is ruthless wherever the need arises. The best part about Devereaux is that he is not good or bad. He’s lethal. I love the spy genre which fits my personality. Unlike other movies where I have played a dashing hero, November Man adds lethal to dashing. And boy, did I not enjoy thatIJ It’s a much loved genre and if you get it right, it’s a great night at the cinemas.
At 61, how comfortable are you with action rolesIJ
Generally, at the age of 61 one’s bones start giving up. For me, however, it’s a new day everyday. I enjoy what I do and will continue to do this in future projects. But this needs a lot of exercising and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Mark Moltram, my Bond films’ stuntman, helped me. Some of his exercise routines are unbelievable but they keep me in shape. I was a good runner at school and played rugby so my body is generally flexible.
What is November Man all aboutIJ
It is a spy thriller. I play Peter Devereaux, who is brought back into action for a secret mission to save a witness from a conspiracy. Each scene unfolds a new chapter. The film also touches emotional issues like friendship and trust. Two friends turn foes but there is a reason behind it. The film has an interesting soundtrack Ready or not composed by Marco Beltrami.
Is November Man an adaptation of There Are No Spies by Bill GrangerIJ
Yes, it is based on the 7th novel of the Bill Granger spy series. My production company Irish Dream Time picked up the rights to this novel.
It took five years to wrap up this film. WhyIJ
After I wrapped up Golden Eye in 1995, I decided to quit everything else and concentrate on this film. We had been contemplating it for a long time. It took us five years to understand the novel well. When we were done with that, casting came as a huge challenge. We had many names on our list to play David Mason. luke Bracey finally turned in as the best man for it. Also, shooting in Belgrade was tough and it took a lot of time.
Why were you so keen about this filmIJ Did you want to give it up because of the difficultiesIJ
I was obsessed with the character and the story. Ever since I read the novel, I was having sleepless nights. I would dream about the sequences in the novel. It had become an addiction and my family was beginning to get irritated with it. That was also the time when I started getting slightly bored with the Bond series. I wanted to do something different. My fans must have been getting bored of me as Bond.
When you are a producer and an actor for the same movie, the role becomes little dicey. I remember I was freaking out four days before the shoot. But, I am glad it turned out well.
What were the challengesIJ
We had a tough time shooting in Belgrade where explosions had to be orchestrated and car sequences performed at rush hour. Since it was a densely populated area, it was difficult to get open spaces and zero onlookers. But I enjoyed every bit of the action in Belgrade. The best was when we blew up a van in the city. That was a live shoot and the guys who watched this were fascinated. They will remember it forever.
How was it working with Roger Donaldson againIJ
I have worked with Roger in Dante’s Peak and had the most wonderful time. He’s a good friend, somebody I admire and respect. He knows how to keep the drama of a scene. His instincts for emotional beats are so well founded because he invests much of himself into it.
How was luke BraceyIJ
luke is fearless, courageous and has talent on his fingertips. It’s a beautiful thing to behold. When I see him, I re-live the passion. It is great working with someone so enthusiastic. He has a long way in the industry. When we began shooting for the film, luke was nervous but I told him, if I can do it at 61, you are going to have a ball!
Do you miss being Agent 007IJ
Yes and no. I struggled a lot to get under the skin of the suave British sleuth. I had my own insecurities portraying Bond and there came a time when I just had to move on. Daniel (Craig) is a brilliant Bond. He owns the character 100 per cent. What I miss is the fan following I had as Bond. It was a fairly good audience.
Is November Man too about gadgets and stylish screenplayIJ
It has no quirky one liners and absolutely no gadgets but the character of Peter is strong in itself, unlike in Bond films.
What else keeps you busyIJ
I have six films on the release shelf — love Punch with Emma Thompson, which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival last September, A long Way Down with Aaron Paul, Toni Collette and Imogen Poots, which premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in February, The Coup with Owen Wilson and Survivor with Milla Jovovich and Dylan McDermott. Currently, I am shooting for The Moon and the Sun.
Ever thought of touring IndiaIJ
As of no such plans. But I wish to tour India soon. I know I have lot of fans in India but it is the heat that is keeping me away.
What appeals to you about Bond and Peter DevereauxIJ
The good thing about Bond is that he is super confident about who he is and what he does. Peter, on the other hand, is street smart. In real life, I am neither Bond nor Peter. My life is more a comedy than drama.
Bond with the best
I would love to visit India as I know I have lots of fans there. But, it is the heat that is keeping me away! I know some Indians around here and they are friendly people.
I am neither like Bond nor like Peter. I think my life is more a comedy than the drama.
Yes. I am a diehard romantic. Sometimes I feel I am at the wrong place doing wrong things. I should have been a musician or an artist.
I struggled a lot to get under the skin of the suave British sleuth who I played in four films between 1995’s Golden Eye and 2002’s Die Another Day. I had my own insecurities while playing James Bond.
Generally, at the age of 61, one’s bones start giving up. For me, however, it’s a new day everyday. I enjoy what I do.
The art of filmmaking has always been my secret passion.