Eddie Redmayne, the Academy Award-winning actor known for The Theory of Everything and the Fantastic Beasts franchise, is making waves with his latest project, The Day of the Jackal. The highly anticipated series, based on Frederick Forsyth’s novel and its acclaimed 1973 film adaptation, is modernized for today’s audience while staying true to its original DNA.
In a recent interview, Redmayne opened up about his father’s influence on his career and the intense preparation behind his performance as the enigmatic assassin.
“Don’t [Bleep] It Up”
Redmayne revealed that his dad, a devoted fan of the original film, didn’t hold back when the actor announced his involvement in the remake. “I grew up watching the original movie with Edward Fox, and my dad was thrilled when I told him I was doing it,” Redmayne shared. “But his advice was, ‘Don’t [bleep] it up.’”
The actor admitted that he checks in with his parents weekly to gauge their brutally honest opinions on his performance. He cherishes their feedback, even if it stings at times.
The Challenges of Playing an Assassin
Portraying the Jackal, an expert hitman, required Redmayne to adopt a seamless blend of precision and cold efficiency. “I wanted the Jackal to feel like a knife through butter—sleek, effortless, and unflappable,” he explained. However, Redmayne confessed that he is anything but unflappable in real life. “I spent hours trying to make everything look effortless, and I don’t know if I succeeded, but that was the goal.”
From mastering multiple languages to handling weapons with expert ease, Redmayne immersed himself in the role. The languages, particularly German, posed a significant challenge. “I don’t speak any of them, so I had to learn them like music. It was fine until I put on prosthetics and realized my voice needed to drop an octave to match the character’s age.”
Prosthetics and Parental Reactions
The intricate prosthetics work for his character wowed audiences but left Redmayne’s children deeply unsettled. “My son tried to pull my nose off to see if it was real, and my daughter had to watch the makeup being removed to confirm I was still underneath,” he recalled.
Despite the challenges of working with prosthetics, Redmayne expressed admiration for the craftsmanship involved. “It’s such an old-school art. They sculpt everything by hand and pour it—it’s incredible to watch.”
Fan Feedback and Fandom Crossover
As a producer on the show, Redmayne takes fan feedback seriously—even the nitpicky kind. From underwater bullet trajectories to incorrect Hungarian license plates, fans have pointed out every detail. “I love our Hungarian crew, but I can’t believe they didn’t catch the license plate issue!” he joked.
Interestingly, fans of Seth Meyers’ Corrections have taken to calling themselves “jackals,” creating a fun crossover with Redmayne’s show. “The jackals are coming for my Jackal!” he laughed, embracing the playful banter.
Looking Ahead
With The Day of the Jackal earning critical acclaim and Redmayne receiving Golden Globe nominations for his performance, the actor continues to prove his versatility and dedication to his craft. As he gears up for the double-episode season finale, premiering December 12th on Peacock, fans can’t wait to see how the story unfolds.
Whether it’s his dad’s candid advice, his children’s reactions to prosthetics, or the meticulous preparation behind his roles, Eddie Redmayne’s journey is a testament to his passion and commitment to storytelling.
Catch the thrilling conclusion of The Day of the Jackal this December, and don’t forget to tune in to the Golden Globes to see if Eddie takes home another win!
What do you think of Eddie Redmayne’s transformation in The Day of the Jackal? Let us know in the comments!
