We’re never one to begrudge anyone a payday, particularly when they’re a character actor who’s toiled away in theater and TV for years and who’s finally managed to get a big break. Which is why we’re pleased to see Eddie Marsan working so consistently these days. The actor’s been working since the late 80s, but the last decade has seen him go from strength to strength — kicking off with serious, auteur-driven pictures like “Gangs of New York” and “21 Grams,” he’s gone on to crop up in the likes of “Mission Impossible 3,” “Miami Vice,” “Hancock” and “Sherlock Holmes,” while still turning out terrific performances in the indie world, particularly with Mike Leigh, in “Vera Drake” and “Happy-Go-Lucky.”
He’s got “War Horse” and “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows” on the way later this year, along with a key role in Paddy Considine‘s acclaimed Sundance drama “Tyrannosaur,” and now it looks like he’s found gainful employment in another tentpole. Coming Soon obtained pictures from the set of Bryan Singer‘s currently-filming “Jack the Giant Killer,” a re-telling of the fairy tale Jack and the Beanstalk which reveals that Marsan is appearing in the film.
From the looks of it, Marsan (who’s sporting a rather unkempt wig) will be teaming with Ewan McGregor, who’s playing the captain of the king’s guard that heads off to the land of the giants along with the titular hero when the princess is kidnapped. The cast is led by Nicholas Hoult as Jack, with newcomer Eleanor Tomlinson as the princess, Ian McShane as the king, Stanley Tucci as a villainous adviser, and Bill Nighy and John Kassir as the two-headed giant leader. The film hits theaters on June 15, 2012.
I recently saw Jack TGS with my 8-year-old and I could not help but thinking that he was wasted in this role. I was aching for him to have some more lines, and I feel anyone less handsome than Ewan McGregor was in the same boat. I feel for you as well, Ralph Brown. Damn you, Bryan Singer.
hope these are proper monsters like in the original, not just tall men with 2 heads etc
Aw, I loved Happy Go Lucky so hard.
Can\’t wait for June 2012. Jack the Giant Killer and Prometheus in the same month.
I\’ve always been a fan of Eddie Marsan since I first saw him in Gangs of New York (I\’m not certain what he did with the thankless role of Jim Broadbent\’s Assistant but I just found myself looking up his name online after the film ended).
Its nice to see him get work.