Red carpet interview with Hugh Jackman at the EE Britsh Academy Film Awards in 2013.
DERMOT O'LEARY: You are back to me with the lovely Hugh Jackman. Hugh, how are you?
A. Great, how are you?
Q. Really good. Congratulations on tonight, best of luck with it. How are you feeling?
A. Fantastic. I was just saying to my wife coming in here, after hosting an event or two like this it's so much more relaxing just to get to watch the show, and Stephen Fry is about as good as you get. I nick ideas from him all the time.
Q. We all do.
A. I've got my pen and pad here, don't worry.
Q. This is your first Bafta nomination.
A. It is.
Q. What are these jokers playing at? We've got to sort this out.
A. Yeah, really. I thought I was going to get one for Van Helsing but it just didn't turn out. I don't know what happened there.
Q. You've got a British passport haven't you?
A. I do.
Q. So if you do win tonight we can claim you as one of our own, is that all right?
A. Absolutely. I don't know what the Aussies will say about that. Look, my parents are English, I actually came here in 1998 to do a musical actually and Trevor Nunn, who actually began Les Mis, was really the reason for my career kicking on so I owe a lot to this place.
Q. Les Mis is almost like nothing else. I've been reading so much about it and you almost had to under-sing when you were singing, right, because it's not like being in the theatre which you're used to, it's almost underperforming?
A. Yes, a lot of the time you sing out but a lot of the time it was about the intimacy so it was a whole different thing and we rehearsed for nine weeks and I thought Tom Hooper did an amazing job and the movie here in England has been so well received and I've got to tell you I was so nervous about it because even though it's the most French story ever, this is its spiritual home, this is where the show really took off and so the fact the Brits are enjoying it means a lot.
Q. Its a proper national treasure. And the audition was three hours, is that right?
A. It's actually four. I did one hour with the musical director and then Tom came in after that and when I asked, I said mate I've really got to go, he looked at me a little bit like oh, not really committed huh? I think I just lost it like after four hours.
Q. Then you fasted for three days. You were like a monk for this.
A. No, it was a little longer than that but the last 36 hours I had no water. Do not try this at home, trust me. No one.
Q. But then again if it gets you a part like that ... Listen, best of luck today mate, lovely talking to you.
A. Thank you.
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EE British Academy Film Awards in 2013 - Red Carpet Interview: Hugh Jackman
