Academy Award winner Javier Bardem, who played the antagonist in the movie Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar's Revenge, was transformed into a wrathful avenger on a mission to end all pirates. The actor tells TEAM VIVA how he became Salazar
The fifth edition of Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean series, Salazar’s Revenge (2017), was not just a massive production but also had some of the most iconic actors and characters. Javier Bardem, who had one of the main roles in the movie, talks about his experience, his inspiration for his role and why Johnny Depp made him laugh so hard that he couldn’t act.
How is Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge different from all the other projects that you have doneIJ What was your inspiration for itIJ
Javier: Captain Salazar is a villain full of anger and pain. For me, it was a very interesting and challenging role. When I looked at Captain Salazar’s character, the image that came to me was of a wounded bull in the arena. You see the bull with a sword on its back and it is bleeding into the arena. That is what inspired me to take up my character, how he would walk, move, talk and breathe. Salazar’s Revenge is about the idea of bursting into constant rage and rage creates pain, emotional and physical.
What were the personality traits that you definitely wanted to bring out in Salazar and why do you think they were so importantIJ
Javier: Salazar is a man of pride and honour. I wanted to highlight these characteristics because that is what he holds. When Jack betrays his honour, he is left with immense rage. He holds that rage inside him and that causes him pain. I also feel sorry for him because there is a reason he turned out to be that way. I wanted to bring out that side of his story so that people could connect with his character.
Salazar’s look is very haunted. Do you think the costumes and makeup helped in evoking the emotionsIJ
Javier: Everything that is in the movie is specially crafted. The wardrobe, the detail of the costume, the swords and the makeup, when they put everything together it obviously works and is a big deal. It helps in pulling the emotion; this is how actors should work. We aren’t supposed to be ourselves, we need to imagine and create a new self.
What was your most fun moment working on the set for this movieIJ
Javier: It was with Johnny. He started improvising on Jack Sparrow’s behaviour and I just couldn’t stop laughing. He is a genius when he plays that, he is a genius when he plays anything actually. I was just like
“I can’t, I just can’t do it.” I was supposed to be mean to him but I just couldn’t stop laughing. He is very good at doing Jack Sparrow.
How long did the make-up takeIJ Was it tough to act and express with all those layers onIJ
Javier: Initially, this was my concern too but the make-up guys were amazing. It took three hours to prep for Salazar. When we started shooting, I realised it wasn’t that tough. Salazar’s look helped in conveying his story and emotions. The team did an amazing job in creating that look and feel.
(The film premieres on Star Movies, Sunday, June 17, 1 and 9 pm)