Pierce Brosnan feels a personal connection to the story in his new film, in which he portrays a nearly 93-year-old World War II veteran grappling with the pain of his past.
“I thought it was a touching story, and it took me back to a part of Ireland I didn’t know about,” the Irish-born actor says of the film, which was filmed in Belfast. “My stepfather was in the Second World War. He was a Scotsman from Glasgow. He talked very little about the war, but he was in a tank regiment, and he talked about one particular incident that haunted him. “What?”
Based on the true story of British D-Day veteran Bernard Jordan, is now available through on-demand platforms and features a similarly disturbing backstory for Artie Crawford (Brosnan). After his wife’s death, Artie plans to flee his residence and plan to travel from Northern Ireland to France for the 75th anniversary of the Normandy landings on D-Day. Director Terry Loane’s drama also stars Clemens Posey and Jurgen Prochno, and marks the final feature role for the late actor John Amos.
Part of the transformation process for Brosnan, 71, involved a physical transformation. The actor spent about two hours in the makeup chair to become Artie — thanks to prosthetics and the work of specialty makeup company Millennium FX — and then about an hour to remove it at the end of each day. “It was a bit of work,” admits Brosnan. “Every morning there was a meditation where you sat in a chair, and I had two wonderful craftsmen turn me into Arti.”
The former James Bond star was grateful to share the screen with Amos, the standout who died aged 84 in August. “He’s a man who lived a very good life, who was a wonderful actor and entertainer,” says Brosnan. “He was one of the strongest and bravest of hearts as an actor in his time.”
Brosnan remains as busy as ever, with his upcoming projects including Steven Soderbergh’s spy thriller opposite Cate Blanchett, Chris Columbus opposite Helen Mirren and Ben Kingsley and a recently announced role in the new film.
“I’m at a point now where the roles are for a grown man,” Brosnan says of his career path. “The characters are a father, a grandfather, a wise wizard. I have four films in the can. I love being able to walk around the stage and be able to make choices and hopefully equip myself with the characters. It’s a very exciting time to be.
A much-discussed potential part that is not yet possible, but not for lack of fans hoping it will get there soon, is the return of Sam Carmichael in a third film for the franchise. Having shared talks about a possible third film with other co-stars from the first two films, Brosnan says he doesn’t know much about the status but has spoken with producer Jody Kramer in recent months.
“Judy Kramer is a dear friend, and we met over the summer, and I’m sure my fellow Spaniards will jump at the chance to go and do it all,” he says. “I think it’s doable. Of course, it’s always the story. What’s the story? I’d certainly welcome the opportunity to go back into the world of
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