Stardust - Charlie Cox Interview

“Stardust,” based on the best-selling graphic novel by Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess, takes audiences on an adventure that begins in a village in England and ends up in places that exist in an imaginary world. A young man named Tristan (Charlie Cox) tries to win the heart of Victoria (Sienna Miller), the beautiful but cold object of his desire, by going on a quest to retrieve a fallen star. His journey takes him to a mysterious and forbidden land beyond the walls of his village. On his odyssey, Tristan finds the star, which has transformed into a striking girl named Yvaine (Claire Danes).

Interview with Charlie Cox (Tristan)

1. Stardust is a hard movie to define, Fairytale, Romance, Adventure. What’s your take on the film?

My take on the film is exactly that. It’s got a bit of everything in it, for everyone! It’s an action adventure film but at the same time it’s a romantic comedy. It’s certainly a children’s film as well as being made for adults. It’s kind of hard to pigeon hole.

2. Your character Tristan goes on quite a journey throughout the film — is this something you can relate to?

It is yeah, it certainly is. He goes on quite a journey externally, but inside of him is kind of the biggest journey, he goes from boy to man and any young guy can relate to that.

3. This is your first big Hollywood blockbuster how did the role come about?

I just auditioned. I was just one of the guys lucky enough to get an audition. From that point on I went for a recall and went back again. It was a long process but eventually I got there!

4. And is it right you were first to be cast?

Yeah that’s true.

5. Was that quite an honor?

Yeah it was. I think Matthew wanted to find the couple, the two main characters before he cast the others. Never for a minute did I think they’d cast the likes of Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer, that was a real shock!

6. What was it like working alongside Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer?

It was pretty spectacular not an opportunity you get everyday. It was hugely beneficial to me so early in my career.

7. Stardust is based on Neil Gaiman’s novel, had you read this before you read the script?

No I hadn’t I read it after I read the script. I hadn’t heard of Neil. He’s much better known in the States than he is here. I have since become a fan of his!

8. And do you think fans of the book will be pleased with the adaptation?

That’s very hard to say because with all books that are made into movies there are people that kind of don’t agree with the transformation. A movie is one persons interpretation of the book, it’s not everybody’s interpretation so there are going to be people who I am sure don’t’ see it the same way. The hope is people will understand its one person’s idea. It’s more a testament to the book than an exact copy.

9. What was it like working romantically with both Sienna Miller and Claire Danes?

It was pretty cool! Can’t ask for much more than that in your job can you.

10. There are a few British comic figures in the film, Ricky Gervais, David Walliams. What was it like with them on set?

Comic very amusing, it was hard to focus. There’s one scene with Ricky Gervais and Robert De Niro. In the background behind Robert De Niro are all his pirates, looking very menacing. But if you watch them very carefully there are times when they are smirking and they had to keep on retaking it because they were cracking up and couldn’t stop laughing and had to look away from camera. It became very funny.

11. The film features a lot of special effects was that challenging to film?

Not really! There are different types. I’m sure it was very challenging for the guys in charge of the CGI but to film it from my point of view it wasn’t very difficult you just had to pretend, which is what we’re doing anyway.

12. The locations in the film are beautiful, where was the film shot?

A lot of it was Scotland some of it was Iceland and in and around the old towns of England.

13. What was your favourite scene to film?

My favourite scenes to film were the early ones with Claire where we’re bickering and fighting. We had a lot of fun doing it and were just laughing a lot and being stupid on set. There’s just more in them getting annoyed with each other is kind of fun and we were such good friends by then

14. What’s next for Charlie Cox, will you be leaving England for Hollywood?

No I’m not no! I live in London and I love it here so I’m not going to be moving abroad. You know I’ve had to spend a bit more time there and it’s great it’s sunny! I plan to do as much work in the UK as I possibly can. I’m still young you know I don’t feel the pressure to become the next James Bond!

« back to interviews