*Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen plays Galen Erso in director Gareth Edwards’ “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” and you may remember him as the sexy vanilla thunder being tortured in Rihanna’s “Bitch Better Have My Money” music video, which he described to EUR/Electronic Urban Report as a “very rock-n-roll experience.”
“I wasn’t really sure what we were doing. We didn’t shoot everything because it was a rock-n-roll project, but it’s a crazy wonderful song. I loved it, and the story itself.. it kinda became what it became, that was that rock-n-roll energy like we did in the 80’s — just f*cking do it. And she is fantastic, so sweet. It was one of those things that I didn’t know what I was doing really, but I enjoyed it the whole time. And if I had turned it down my kid would’ve killed me.”
We caught up with the incredibly talented star during the “Rogue One” press day held at Industrial Light and Magic in San Francisco, and Mikkelsen shared our excitement over the vital role his character plays in the film. SPOILER –> creator of the Death Star!
“He’s a scientist. Yes, he’s in a dilemma, but scientists sometimes can’t stop themselves, even though it’s wrong. They always look for answers, and they kinda get tunnel vision because their mission is the most important in the world, even though it might blow up the world. That’s also [an] interesting thing to be so dedicated to your work that you listen to anything. But to be the creator of the Death Star, pretty cool.”
Check out the rest of our Q&A with Mr. Mikkelsen below.
READ RELATED STORY: ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ Red Carpet (EUR Exclusive – Video)
Your character is in a fascinating dilemma of having no choice but to work for the side of evil in order to protect his family.
Mads: I think that the dilemma he’s in is quite recognizable for any parent, and to be frank…he grew up in the Empire. He is part of the Empire, it’s not something that just happens overnight. He worked heavily for the Empire before we see this film — before the film starts. Then he bails out and they bring him back in, and this is why his dilemma is becoming gigantic. But I think that, if you are in his situation, without giving too much away, that’s something we can relate to as parents.
In terms of the production aspect, were you surprised by any of the elements that bring this world to life?
Mads: I wasn’t really surprising because [Gareth] told me what he wanted to do when we talked about it. He wanted to bring it back to the earlier films, not necessarily the look of it, but the character driven situations that the first films were. Cut down on the CGI a little, make it more gritty — more real. We’re always dealing with the war, we always talk about “We’re in the war.”
I was little surprised when I saw the sets — they’re definitely Star Wars sets, but they are literally falling a part. They’re a little rusty, the whole thing, which I thought was super cool. It’s not an ideal world, not even in the Empire.
Do you think there’s a social message woven into the fabric of your character’s story?
Mads: I think we can always draw parallels to whatever society we have in a given moment. Every film has to be a mirror of something we recognize in society today, but it’s a direct key to certain things. Family — family ties, family problems has been a big part of the Star Wars legacy, and one reason for that is it’s dramatic — full of emotions.
Speaking of emotions, you’re great at playing the types of villains and heroes that resonate with the human condition. Are there particular qualities you look for in characters that help you decide if you’re going to take on the role?
Mads: I think it’s important for villains — all heroes, that they have two sides of the coin. We have to have something that the hero is struggling with — a flaw, something we don’t like about him, and the other way around. We have to recognize what his mission is. We have to understand it a little, make it realistic. Make it a solid person then I don’t really care whether they’re on the wrong or the right side, as long as we give them some kind of dilemma.
Are directors often receptive to any script or character changes you suggest?
Mads: I think they are but I can also be a very insisting and annoying to the point where people are like, “Oh, f*ck off…” But I definitely accept when they say no. I might disagree but if they come up with a really good reason for doing it a certain way then I often back off.
What’s your professional philosophy, and how do you apply it to the characters you play?
Mads: I try to understand the script. The script is very important for me. My character is as well, but the story most of all. I have to figure out what is it we want to say with the story, and then how does my character fit in. I’m very much into the story itself and what is the vision of director and how I can help in making that come to life.
Mads says that preparing for his “Rogue One” role didn’t require that he submerge himself in an exhaustive backstory. “We discussed where this family comes from. Who are they and how did they end up this situation,” he told us, adding how he shared in his co-star Diego Luna’s fanboy moments on set.
“We’re all wearing a little fanboy hat, but we have to throw it away once we’re on that set because if not we can’t do anything. We’re just going around going, ‘What the fu*k? This is amazing!’ “
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