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The Lightsabre
Interview Christian Simpson
Welcome to Lightsabre. He played Bravo 6 in The
Phantom Menace and was Anakin Skywalkers stand-in on Revenge of the
Sith. Formerly just a Star Wars fan like the rest of us, he has some
amazing stories to tell. Please welcome to Lightsabre Christian
Simpson. Q - Christian, welcome to Lightsabre. A
– Thanks
for having me. It’s great to be here! Q – You went from fanboy to
being on the set of the most anticipated films in movie history. How
overwhelming was it to take in? A – It just sunk in when you said that! No
seriously, I do have to pinch myself sometimes and also remind myself how
lucky I was. Even though I was just a small cog in the huge Star Wars
machine, if you had told me when I was 7 years old and my Father first took
me to see The Empire Strikes Back, that I’d one day be seen or credited in a
Star Wars film, I just wouldn’t have been able to take it in. The funny
thing about it is when you are actually on set, it
has the danger of becoming ‘normal’. This should be some consolation to
the fans who wish they’d worked there too. I mean, it is just a job to
many people who work on the films, but for me the magic of the situation just
kept coming back, at which points I would allow a little smile to
myself. “I’m in Star Wars!” It’s a fine line. Q – Tell us something of your career. Where did you
begin in the entertainment industry and what led you to where you are today?
A
– My
passion and roots in the industry actually lie in writing - songs and
literature (see www.euromantix.com). But that is an equally competitive
career, although I will never give up my other ambition apart from being part
of the Star Wars Universe – and that is to have a hit song in the charts –
one everyone knows. With the online age of music sales that may be
creeping ever nearer, but it is a lot of who you know and luck as well.
I’ve had my fair share of luck so far with Star Wars so I can’t really
complain J It was my acting agent at the time who first
got the call about Episode I, where they were looking for just 10 Bravo
Squadron Naboo Pilots for the movie. I had heard that Star Wars was
coming back to London and it was pure chance that I found out about this
casting call at the right time, but that is timing I have never been more
grateful for! I was called in to audition, where you have a chat with
the Casting people, have photographs taken, etc. And then a wait.
A very long wait. I think it was a few weeks (ouch), until – and I can
remember it like it wasn’t 10 years ago – I was standing in the kitchen at my
parents’ house and got the call asking me if I was free on certain dates in
August 2007 because, “Christian, they want you for Star Wars”. You can
imagine how I felt! My parents knew of my love of the movies, and they
couldn’t quite believe it either. Wow, you’re bringing it all back to me here J
Q – What is it like to be a part of the Star Wars phenomenon? A- Incredible. Humbling. Unreal. Q – You stood in for Professor Snape
Alan Rickman on the Brit-com Love Actually. How much fun was that,
working alongside two Phantom Menace pals Liam Neeson and Keira Knightley? A
– How did you find out about
that! Well I was Alan Rickman’s stand-in on the film you are correct,
but that was purely on account of our sharing the same height. Sadly I
did not get to meet Keira Knightley then. I bet she regrets that to
this day, haha! And Liam I worked with on
Episode I of course. He’s a sweet guy. His wife and child would
join him on set sometimes. The fight with OB1 & Darth Maul isn’t so
menacing when you know his baby was just off camera watching daddy do the
moves! Most of my scenes were however only ones in which Alan and Emma
Thompson were in, so it wasn’t quite such a Phantom Menace reunion
sadly. The other thing to remember of course is that back when we
filmed Episode I, Keira wasn’t that well know as an
actor. To us she was a double for Natalie Portman, but only a very
small part. To this day I still get them both mixed up. Could be
embarrassing if I ever dated one of them... No wait I’m dreaming again
sorry. Q – You acted out many of your scenes with Ian McDiarmid,
who seemed very adept at putting you at ease.
Is he really the gentleman he appears to be? A
– Ian was absolutely wonderful.
What an honour to work with such a talented and distinguished man of British
Theatre and Film. It was quite a shock when, on my first day on Revenge
of the Sith, Hayden was late arriving from make-up and so I had to act out
the scene in his absence, with Ian. The very first scene of the entire
phase of shooting. He began in his classic Emperor’s Chair that we all
know from Sith and Jedi, facing away from me. All I could see was the
top of his head and the back of the chair. Then he got the order to
turn around and ‘face Anakin’, which I am delighted to say was me for that
moment at least. But can you imagine your first day shooting on a new
movie... and it’s Star Wars!... and you’re thrown
right into the lion’s pit to meet your maker!? Overwhelming is an
understatement. What was sweet was that his first words to me were not
“JOINNN MEEEE ON THE DARK SIIIIDE!!”, but a very ‘luvvy’-like,
“Hello I’m Ian”! Not quite so scary. Thank the maker.
Q – Apart from your involvement on the film, what are
your feelings on Revenge of the Sith? Did it satisfy your fan appetite,
or whet it for more adventures to come? A
– I didn’t like it. Nah only
kidding! I loved that movie. I haven’t met anyone – Star Wars fan
or not – who did not appreciate it. George, Rick, and the rest of the
crew did us fans (and actors) proud. Even my girlfriend said after we
went to the London premiere, “that WAS a cool movie!”, and that’s saying
something – to get the female vote J Actually it’s great how many girls do love Star
Wars. So yes, I was royally chuffed and very satisfied. In a way
it wrapped things up so nicely that I don’t – yet – feel a need for more Star
Wars. What I really am looking forward to is seeing the movies in
3D. That will capture a whole new generation, and recapture the
original one to boot. Q – Your blog is an amazing read, giving detail and
warmth to what could have easily become a sterile account of the
production. Are there any plans to produce a book about your
behind-the-scenes time? A – Wow,
thank you very much! I try my best to remember who I am writing it for
– MEs – that is fans like me. It’s an odd
juxtaposition because on set I wasn’t ‘being’ the fan, I couldn’t, I was being the professional. But in my accounts I
have to speak what was going on inside my head at those times.
And believe me, it was! I know many people on set were also hiding
their true excitement of being there, but it kinda spilled over. Even
Hayden. He was so excited to get the part and you can see that he still
had his moments. We would share little comments,
like on the last day even of filming on a Star Wars movie, I was proud to be
reading Ian McDiarmid’s lines for him in his
absence, to Anakin so he could react (I think that makes me the last ever
recorded dialogue on a SW movie). I turned to Hayden and said, “So this
is it then – last day”, and he looked kinda sombre as he agreed, “Yep, last
day” L Then I heard George muttering something
about the last day as he adjusted a lighting rig! (He likes to chip
in!) Everyone knew we were working on something special. There
was a grand air of history in the making. As for a book, it’s funny – I have been asked that before by
fans. They really seem to love the journals. I guess it would be
up to a regular Star Wars Publisher to come to me, but I’d happily expand
what I have and fill at least a book or two. There’s more where that
came from I can assure you, and I haven’t even touched on Episode I yet in
the Blogs!
Q – Which of the myriad Star Wars characters do you feel
the most affinity for? A –
Jar Jar.
Just kidding, again! I suppose I would have to say Anakin. As a
kid, growing up, I loved Luke. Everyone did (mostly). But being
involved in the filming process of his father’s character, Anakin, has left a
mark on me. I mean, when George Lucas starts to actually call you
“Anakin” on set, instead of your given name, you can’t help it. Then
there’s the Christensen / Christian Simpson
thing, and how filming the last ever day on 31 January was my birthday.
Then I found out that was the date they started filming Episode IV.
Then I found out George started writing Episode IV in January 1973 – the
month, possibly day I was born. It’s amazing how Star Wars can draw you
in. And since then I have been so lucky as to do several conventions and
autograph signings where Anakin is the key centre of attention. In
Japan (where they’d announce me as “Haawww
Christian Simpson san, Hayden Christensensan san san!”. It was crazy – fans were bringing me Anakin
action figures and other merchandise to sign. Anyone who has had
anything to do with the Anakin/Vader character in the making of the movies it
seems is very lucky! Even the guy who brought him his tea I would imagine.
And the story is so tragic, so very tragic, that it is not hard to see
why it can wrap people’s emotions up. Q – Tell us something of your other interests outside of
Star Wars? A – Well we have already touched on my writing
passion. I also have some business interests including another website
(www.superhighstreet.com) and a few properties in the UK &
Spain – trying to slowly build up ‘the empire’ you know?! ;) I
also love film & TV in general as you might imagine, and there have been
some great sci-fi series of late. Dark Angel was a particular favourite
of mine, not least because Jessica Alba is the hottest girl kicking ass that
ever there has been. Heroes also looks very
promising. And I even liked Firefly, even if it was responsible for
Dark Angel being cancelled! People have flatteringly compared me to
Dark Angel’s Michael Weatherly, and I really love the character he now plays
in NCIS – an excellent show. That is the sort of character I would also
fit very well into playing, so here’s hoping for the future. Does
Donald P Bellisario read this site? ;)
Q – You got to recreate the infamous force-choke while
filming Revenge of the Sith. You mention the sheer thrill of certain
moments during your time on the stes, bringing back
memories of yourself as a seven year old when the film first came out.
How high up did that moment rank?ow You A – Pretty
high! Sitting in the Emperor’s throne feels pretty good too,
although it’s not that comfy so I don’t recommend it for long
planet-destroying sessions, but actually acting out the scene of the moment
that causes Vader to turn to the dark side – injuring Padmé (as he thinks
fatally) – in front of an entire film crew that includes Hayden and George
sitting at the plasmas watching, well that is just too much to put into
words. I won’t even try. Even though I just did. But that
was topped, I think, by filming a scene in Episode I (sadly on the cutting
room floor now) where my character runs up the ladder to the yellow Naboo
fighter, jumps in, pulls back the canopy, puts his goggles on, presses the
ignition buttons, all while sparks fly around, the ground crew fuel up the
ship, and an R2 unit is hoisted up in behind! Even better that I had to
film about 5 takes because the overly long pilot’s cloak kept getting caught
in the canopy! When I watched it back on the video assist and the
operator said, “Pretty slick”, to the final take, I was a fanboy
in fanboy heaven. My pleasure now is sharing
these moments for other fans to enjoy. I want to do my best to take my
like-minded Jedis there with me. Q – There’s a Star Wars television series on the
way. Would you be interested in a part on that? A – Yes
please. Very kind of you! Where do I sign? Q - What lies ahead for you in the future? A
– Apart from the Star Wars TV series
which you have just given me a part in, for now I am back to focussing on the
music side of the entertainment biz, but I am also often seen reading for
parts, and getting the odd one now and then, so who knows where I might end
up. I know that I will however always be involved in the Star Wars
machine for as long as it needs this particular cog, and hope to meet as many
of your readers as I can at the exciting upcoming Star Wars events this year! Q – A quick question about our site, Lightsabre.
Any comments? A
– What a cool resource it is, not
just for news, but for fans to show their work – I particularly like the
gallery. Also it was nice to see some old acquaintances in your
interviews section. I’m honoured to join them J
Q - It's been a great interview, and thanks for being our
guest on Lightsabre. Just one final question. George Lucas
invites you to the ranch and sits you down. Stroking his beard he eyes
you up and then leans forward. “I need someone to play a part in my new
Star Wars TV series. You’d be perfect for three roles, but I need you
to choose one.” He leans back and looks at an ancient looking yellow
legal pad. “You can play Biggs Darklighter, Jabba the Hutt or Wicket
the Ewok. Which will it be?” So, what’s your choice? A – “Well George – can I call you George? No? Oh,
Georgie? Ok Georgie,
well I am very flattered that you would consider me, and I’d have to say
Biggs Darklighter. I can grow a moustache, I just know I can. It
might not be as great as his, but I’d be playing a younger version of him, so
it just might work Georgie. But would you be
editing Episode IV so I don’t die? No? Please? Yes?
Okay! Deal. I’ll do it”. And then I wake up... You’re
very welcome for the interview. It has been an honour and a pleasure,
and who knows, someone reading this might actually have that meeting with
George themselves. Follow your dream, try not, do – or do not.
There is no try. It was those very words from Yoda that led me to
actually get a part in the Prequels. That is what went through my mind
in one particular scene where I had to stare Yoda in the face for nearly an
hour. How ironic is that? Thanks
for a great interview! |
