When the first “Star Wars” came out, you were 5 years old. What is your first memory of it?
I just remember the impact of this film on my life and on my family. No one had ever seen anything like this. The audacity, the bravery, the vision and the realization of this incredibly imaginative universe. And as a kid, that naturally impacted the way I played. But also on the toys I played with. Star Wars has left its mark. I loved this first film. It contains everything. The Empire Strikes Back too, I remember, because I was a little older. I knew what to expect, but I didn't know where the story would go.
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Between the sequels, the prequels, the TV series and even the animated films, how do you explain the impact of this saga?
It's always this battle of Good versus Evil. And make the right choices. I think as a universe and a concept it supports different points of view. After that of princes and princesses, knights, smugglers and lords, we have rebellions between peoples. Whether it's a western, piracy, or knights fighting, this kind of movie somehow manages to bring it all together. There is also an appeal to aesthetics. This familiar futuristic side has become more and more attractive over time. We also tend to discover Star Wars during our youth. Which encourages us to take the leap of imagination. And once you hold on to that as a child, you grow with it.
You've said that “it's time to bring Star Wars back to kids.” Would this project have allowed you to reconnect with your inner child?
Yes, most definitely. When they explained the concept, I really loved it because it seemed like a refreshing point of view. It took into account the wonder and fascination we all felt as children when we first saw this universe. So it was a great idea, because there is something beautiful in children's eyes. And then, of course, it connected me to the boy I was when I saw him. So I understood the spirit that permeates this new story. And more importantly, with this sort of clever twist, is that Jod, the character that I play, has a sort of childlike quality to himself. It's like he doesn't really understand what children are, that he's not a parent, and yet he has a slightly childish approach to life. He's a survivor and so we can't necessarily define him.
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Would you have prepared for this role with your own children?
The last ones are a little too young (he has seven children, Editor's note), but, as I was with my older children, I'm really excited to introduce them to them. I rarely show them the films I'm in, but these would be ideal because it's a good gateway into the Star Wars universe.
Have you ever felt or used “the force” as an actor?
There is actually a sense of physical awareness in trying to connect with the space around you. In a film, you have to try to connect with the positioning of a camera, because sometimes it's behind you, sometimes above. Feeling a space and understanding your movements within that space to understand how your movements can project some sort of physical response. Connecting with someone else or something else in front of you is an inner connection and an inner dialogue. It is also a way of, sometimes, letting go of restraint or increasing spatial awareness.
