Bafta Rising Star nominee Taron Egerton says Hollywood A-lister Hugh Jackman is generous and gracious.
Welsh-born Taron is on the shortlist for the Bafta EE Rising Star award, which is the only award voted for by the public at this Sunday’s ceremony.
Bafta Rising star nominee Taron Egerton (Nicholas Hunt/AP)
Taron will battle it out with Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ John Boyega and Fifty Shades Of Grey’s Dakota Johnson.
Golden Globe winner Brie Larson, who also received a Screen Actors Guild award for her role in Room, and Londoner Bel Powley, who starred in The Diary Of A Teenage Girl, round off the nominees vying to be voted the next major star of the future.
I've been nominated for this @BAFTA award. Pretty bloody thrilled. I'd thoroughly appreciate your support! #EEBAFTAs https://t.co/fKFQKAiHIx
— Taron Egerton (@TaronEgerton) January 6, 2016
Taron is also soon to be seen in biopic Eddie The Eagle, inspired by the first competitor to represent Great Britain in Olympic ski jumping.
Due for release in the UK on April 1, Eddie The Eagle sees Egerton in the title role with X-Men’s Hugh as (fictional) coach Bronson Peary.
Cheltenham-born Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards, whose real name is Michael Edwards, shot to fame at the Calgary Winter Olympics in 1988 despite finishing last.
Watch @RealHughJackman & @TaronEgerton discuss the inspiring film, #EddieTheEagle. In theaters 2/26!https://t.co/zlFFB3mu9z
— Eddie the Eagle (@EddieEagleMovie) February 3, 2016
“In many respects, it’s the quintessential underdog story,” the Welshman said. “It’s feel-good, it’s deliberately an extremely un-cynical movie.”
When asked about his co-star, Taron hailed Hugh as “a brilliant actor”.
“He made me feel like we were on an equal-footing, which was one of the most generous and gracious things that he did,” said the Rada-trained actor, who also spoke warmly of Edwards.
The trailer for the #EEBAFTAs has arrived! Who's excited? Tune in on @BBCOne on Sunday 14 Feb. https://t.co/PSTUlKYA0T
— BAFTA (@BAFTA) January 29, 2016
“He’s a really great guy, one of life’s lovely people. I was expecting him to be frantic and manic, probably because he did such death-defying things, but he’s a gentle soul.”
“We watched the movie together for the first time and he absolutely loved it.”
A busy year for Egerton will be capped with Sing, an animated musical comedy due for release in December.
.@thewhitmore’s hosting our #EEBAFTAs red carpet coverage, adorned with the @Swarovski crystalised #4GEECaptureCam! pic.twitter.com/7SGDasihSL
— EE (@EE) February 8, 2016
The cast includes Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Seth MacFarlane and Scarlett Johansson.
“It’s also been a longstanding ambition of mine to voice a part in a children’s animated movie because I absolutely love them and I love to sing,” Taron enthused.
“I’ve spent enough time practising in front of my friends and family so if I don’t pull it off, all of my singing while washing the dishes hasn’t been worth it,” he joked.
Talking about his EE Rising Star nomination he said: “I’ve resigned myself to the fact that John’s going to win it.
Colin Firth, left, and Taron Egerton attend a special screening of Kingsman: The Secret Service in 2015 (Charles Sykes/AP)
“But that’s OK. And there are three other fantastic actresses who I wouldn’t rule out either. Brie Larson’s performance in Room was pretty incredible.
“It’s a really tough year and I’m just excited to be going and rubbing shoulders with so many people I’ve admired for so long.”
The 26-year-old said he was “just glad to be nominated”.
“The whole spirit of Eddie The Eagle is that it’s the taking part that counts, not the winning. Bearing that in mind, just being there is fine.”
The EE Rising Star vote closes this Friday at noon. Find out more here.
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