Image copyright PA
Gary Oldman considered turning down the role of Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour - because he's been played so well by so many other actors.
The British actor is expected to lift the best actor Oscar on Sunday in LA, but said the war-time prime minister was an intimidating character to play.
He said he was drawn to the film as it showed Churchill "wasn't a curmudgeon" but was "energetic and funny".
"We think of him as an old man... who was born in a bad mood," said Oldman.
Speaking at a Hollywood event to celebrate the British nominees of the 90th Academy Awards, he told the BBC on Friday it was "a privilege and an honour" to play Churchill - despite the hours in hair and make up, including having his head shaved every morning.
It all felt worthwhile because Churchill was "such great company and I loved getting into work and being him", he explained.
'It was a revelation'
Oldman joins the likes of Robert Hardy, Albert Finney and Brian Cox who have previously played Churchill.
He said: "It wasn't an immediate yes. Because he's been played so successfully... you wonder what you can add to the gallery."
So what was it that did make him sign on the dotted line?
"It was the story and it was a very microscopic look at a defining moment in our history and also obviously his premiership," Oldman said at the event, also attended by musician Jonny Greenwood and costume designer Jacqueline Durran.
Image copyright Universal
"But it was the discovery I made was going to the footage, when I was just looking at him and listening to him. It was the dynamism, the energy of the man.
"We've got an idea in our heads of who he is, and that might be contaminated by other people who have portrayed him in different parts of his life, so it was a revelation to see someone who was very light on his feet, not quite as rotund as I imagined him.
"So that was a key in to show a side of him that was dynamic and energetic and funny - he wasn't a curmudgeon. We think of him as an old man with a cigar who was born in a bad mood. And I think he was far from that."
'Vulnerability and sweetness'
Oldman explained that he tried to imagine Churchill as a child to help him capture his character.
"Even if I'm playing a villain, you have to find a redeeming characteristic. I always look for the boy, the little boy in there. There was, from what I could see, even reading his speeches, there was a vulnerability, a cherubic sweetness to him.
"He could be grumpy, if you weren't living up to his standards I'm sure he had a sharp tongue. But there was a big heart there."
Oldman doesn't have long to wait to find out if he has beaten fellow nominees Timothée Chalamet, Daniel Day-Lewis, Daniel Kaluuya and Denzil Washington to lift the Oscar.
He says whatever happens, he enjoyed the ride.
"I considered it a great honour and a privilege to play him," he said. "I'm feeling very good about it. Sunday will be - these things will be what they will be.
"They'll either call your name or they won't. The ride has been enjoyable and to be recognised for playing Winston is a pride in itself.
"I'm enjoying it now. It's a moment in the Sun. There are highs and lows in your career - it's a high, you enjoy it, and then someone else is there next year."
Catch me up hide
Follow us on Facebook, on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, or on Instagram at bbcnewsents. If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk.
Image copyright PA
Gary Oldman considered turning down the role of Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour - because he's been played so well by so many other actors.
The British actor is expected to lift the best actor Oscar on Sunday in LA, but said the war-time prime minister was an intimidating character to play.
He said he was drawn to the film as it showed Churchill "wasn't a curmudgeon" but was "energetic and funny".
"We think of him as an old man... who was born in a bad mood," said Oldman.
Speaking at a Hollywood event to celebrate the British nominees of the 90th Academy Awards, he told the BBC on Friday it was "a privilege and an honour" to play Churchill - despite the hours in hair and make up, including having his head shaved every morning.
It all felt worthwhile because Churchill was "such great company and I loved getting into work and being him", he explained.
'It was a revelation'
Oldman joins the likes of Robert Hardy, Albert Finney and Brian Cox who have previously played Churchill.
He said: "It wasn't an immediate yes. Because he's been played so successfully... you wonder what you can add to the gallery."
So what was it that did make him sign on the dotted line?
"It was the story and it was a very microscopic look at a defining moment in our history and also obviously his premiership," Oldman said at the event, also attended by musician Jonny Greenwood and costume designer Jacqueline Durran.
Image copyright Universal
"But it was the discovery I made was going to the footage, when I was just looking at him and listening to him. It was the dynamism, the energy of the man.
"We've got an idea in our heads of who he is, and that might be contaminated by other people who have portrayed him in different parts of his life, so it was a revelation to see someone who was very light on his feet, not quite as rotund as I imagined him.
"So that was a key in to show a side of him that was dynamic and energetic and funny - he wasn't a curmudgeon. We think of him as an old man with a cigar who was born in a bad mood. And I think he was far from that."
'Vulnerability and sweetness'
Oldman explained that he tried to imagine Churchill as a child to help him capture his character.
"Even if I'm playing a villain, you have to find a redeeming characteristic. I always look for the boy, the little boy in there. There was, from what I could see, even reading his speeches, there was a vulnerability, a cherubic sweetness to him.
"He could be grumpy, if you weren't living up to his standards I'm sure he had a sharp tongue. But there was a big heart there."
Oldman doesn't have long to wait to find out if he has beaten fellow nominees Timothée Chalamet, Daniel Day-Lewis, Daniel Kaluuya and Denzil Washington to lift the Oscar.
He says whatever happens, he enjoyed the ride.
"I considered it a great honour and a privilege to play him," he said. "I'm feeling very good about it. Sunday will be - these things will be what they will be.
"They'll either call your name or they won't. The ride has been enjoyable and to be recognised for playing Winston is a pride in itself.
"I'm enjoying it now. It's a moment in the Sun. There are highs and lows in your career - it's a high, you enjoy it, and then someone else is there next year."
Catch me up hide
Follow us on Facebook, on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, or on Instagram at bbcnewsents. If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk.
He leads British hopes to win an Oscar for his outstanding performance in Darkest Hour on the biggest showbiz night of the year.
And Gary Oldman, 59, was supported by his wife Gisele Schmidt at the Great British Film Reception, in Los Angeles, California on Friday.
The Oscar nominated actor and his glamorous wife were the picture of a newly wed couple when they cuddled up to each other on the red carpet.
Waiting for his finest hour! Dapper Gary Oldman cosied up to his wife Gisele Schmidt at star-studded Great British Film Reception on Friday ahead of glitzy Oscars
BAFTA winner Gary added a pop of colour to his ensemble when he accessorised with a red polka dot bow tie to complement his spotty shirt.
Meanwhile, Gisele looked stylish when she donned a semi-sheer blouse, sleek trousers and sky-scraper heels to the event.
Gary was every inch the leading man on the red carpet, which was no surprise as he has been nominated for Best Actor at the Oscars for Darkest Hour.
Darkest Hour charts the British Prime Minister's torment when he is faced with the decision to either negotiate with Hitler or to wage war against all odds during the early days of World War II.
Kristin Scott Thomas plays opposite Gary as his on-screen wife Clemmie Churchill in the critically-acclaimed film.
Dapper man: BAFTA winner Gary added a pop of colour to his ensemble when he accessorised with a red polka dot bow tie to complement his spotty shirt
Oscar nominated Gary and his wife mingled with Hollywood's elite at the gala, which was held in honour of the British nominees for the 90th Academy Awards.
The Great British Film Reception bash was hosted by HM Consul General Mike Howells and BAFTA Los Angeles Chairman Kieran Breen.
No doubt the sexual harassment scandal that has caused a stir in Hollywood will dominate the star-studded ceremony.
Gary will rub shoulders with his first wife Lesley Manville at the Oscars as she has been nominated as best supporting actress.
Their 12-year-old son Alfie is said to be delighted that both of his parents have been nominated for the glitzy awards.
Lesley told The Daily Mail: ‘The announcement came out at 5.30am in LA – lunchtime here. My son woke up Gary and said, “Hey, Dad, you’ve got a nomination and – guess what? – so has Mum!”
‘Alfie thought it was hilarious. It’s a win-win for the family really. It’s pretty big for him.’ A happy family story, then, but one tinged with a legacy of bitterness for the woman Oldman walked out on shortly after Alfie was born.'
As well as bagging a few awards for his performance, Gary revealed that he was in character as Winston Churchill when he proposed to his now-wife.
He joked with Jimmy Kimmel: 'We were down in the war rooms, and I took her into the back room. And as Winston Churchill, I said "Will you marry me?"'
The couple have gone from strength to strength since they exchanged vows in a romantic ceremony in California in August 2017.
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Oscar favourite Gary Oldman suffered his own darkest hour when he collapsed after months of gruelling work, personal problems and poor health.
Oldman revealed he broke down physically after his ex-wife Donya Fiorentino accused him of domestic abuse.
He said: “I hit a wall two weeks ago and got the flu, and finally collapsed.”
But now the 59-year-old is up for the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour.
He said: “This is a moment in the sun. There are highs and lows in the career.”
(Image: WireImage)
The optimism is a welcome relief for Oldman following the revelation of devastating claims made against him.
In legal documents filed in 2001, third wife Donya told how the actor spent thousands on alcohol and prostitutes during drug-fuelled weekends – charges he vehemently denied.
In reply, he called his former wife a “fantasist” whose own addiction to pills and alcohol tore apart their marriage and left her an unfit mother.
A judge eventually sided with Oldman, granting him custody of their then young sons, Gulliver and Charlie.
(Image: Getty)
Last month Donya spoke for the first time about their “nightmare” four-year marriage.
Speaking on Friday, at the Film Is Great reception sponsored by Silent Pool Gin, Oldman reckons he could go one better than in 2012 when he was nominated for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
He is up against three-times Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis (Phantom Thread) and Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out) for best actor.
He said: “I’m feeling very good about it. To be recognised for playing Winston is a prize in itself.
"If they call my name I’ll have a few words and I’ll go home with an Oscar.”
Win or lose Oldman will be happy as he going on a belated honeymoon with art curator Gisele Schmidt, his fifth wife.
They wed in late August at the Beverly Hills home of Oldman’s manager Doug Urbanski but delayed the holiday to focus on promoting Darkest Hour.
(Image: AFP)
He said: “It has been a rollercoaster few months for us, and to have her by my side has been wonderful.
"After the age of 50, it just got better. I met the love of my life Gisele, my wife, and I have the role of a lifetime.
“She has been so incredibly supportive during this whole process. Gisele really was a key collaborator in this whole process for me, and vital in me finding Churchill’s voice.”
Oldman actually considered turning down the role because the Second World War leader been played so well by other actors, such as Robert Hardy, Albert Finney and Brian Cox.
But Oldman said he was drawn to the film as it showed Churchill “wasn’t a curmudgeon” but was “energetic and funny”.
He said: “We think of him as an old man – who was born in a bad mood. It wasn’t an immediate yes. Because he’s been played so successfully, you wonder what you can add.”
The omens for Oldman are good as he has won the Golden Globe, Critics’ Choice Award, SAG, AACTA and AARP for the role.
But he said the adulation had been tough: “This has all taken some getting used to. I’m quite a private person. I’ve never been any good with crowds. It’s all very nice. No complaints.
"But there’s an energy of people coming at you that you absorb. It’s quite frenetic. The night of the Golden Globes, I must have taken 300 selfies and it felt like I had met 1,000 people. And they’re all lovely and gracious and well-meaning.
“It’s shocking when you think about it, that that many people wanted to meet me in the first place. One should never take for granted the sound of applause.”
Oldman also reflected on getting older: “I am nearly 60. What can I say, the eyes are starting to go, the knees are a little dodgy – I make those old man sounds when I get up out of chairs.
“The great thing about being 60 is the things I have experienced and being able to say I was there when it happened. I was there the first time around.”
