JASON FLEMYNG talks about working with friend and director Matthew Vaughn on his latest movie, the extremely kick-ass X-MEN: FIRST CLASS.
**X-MEN: FIRST CLASS is in UK cinemas from 1 June.
MMM: How familiar were you with X-Men prior to being in the film?
Flemyng: Matt [Vaughn, director] was going to do one of the other X-Men films earlier on, so I was aware of them then and I was going to play The Beast. So, originally I was going to be big, blue and hairy and now I’m bright red and slightly out of focus [as Azazel].
MMM: This is a 12A rating and there’s some strong material in it? What is the youngest age you’d be comfortable allowing your children to see it?
Flemyng: Well, what was Stardust? That was 12 and there were some witches who had their heads cut off, which disturbed me! So, I think it depends on the kid. I used to get scared by frogs and stuff but something that scares one kid doesn’t scare another. My god-son, when he was nine, watched all the Romero zombie films and wasn’t disturbed by it at all. So, it just really depends on the kid so you can’t really make that decision until you get the tears or they walk out of the cinema. It’s difficult.
MMM: You’ve worked with Matthew since the early days, so have his working methods changed now that he’s directing something as big as this?
Flemyng: I don’t think his methods have changed. Matthew’s not very nomadic and he has this team of people who fluctuate through his movies. Unfortunately, I’ve done them all because I’m always available! But his working method has stayed the same.
It’s amazing to be on a movie this big and look out from the stage and see the same sound boys from Lock, Stock and some of the costume people from Lock, Stock. To plot that thing all the way through is amazing. He likes to work in short-hand…
Basically, the truth is I was cast so that when he got annoyed with this lot, he could turn to me and say: ‘Flemyng, you’re an idiot!’ So, I just took the abuse! But his method hasn’t changed. He’s got great taste, he casts well and that’s the sort of basis of what he does. He’s managed to change genre and still nail it each time. He’s been brave about it.
By Jan Gilbert
