East End born actor and popular pin-up, Danny Dyer has cultivated a loyal and dedicated following during his 18 year career.
He enjoyed his first break at the age of just 16 when he was cast for a part in the award-winning ‘Prime Suspect’ and continued to successfully land roles in numerous popular British dramas such as ‘Cadfael‘, ‘A Touch of Frost’ and more recently ‘Skins‘.
Dyer hit the big screen in 1999 when he starred in the cult film ‘Human Traffic’ and has clocked an impressive 34 films since. His success is not only confined to screen, as Dyer has also tread the boards in London and New York, where he has appeared in major stage shows.
Commonly cast in recent years as the cockney hard-man with a passion for the beautiful game and an eye for the ladies, he is best known and loved for his leading roles in Nick Love’s ‘The Football Factory’ ‘The Business‘ and ‘Outlaw‘. This month see’s the 33-year-old father of two reunited with director Love and co-star Sean Bean for the World War II thriller ‘Age of Heroes’.
The film is inspired by the real-life events of James Bond’s creator Ian Fleming and his 30 Commando Unit - one of the most important elite units in the history of the British Armed Forces.
Film News’ Victoria Dillingham caught up with Dyer ahead of the film’s release on Friday (May 20th) to discuss military training with ex-marines, filming in Norway at sub-zero temperatures and Barbie dolls.
Film News: You’ve appeared in war-time and military drama series such as ‘Soldier Soldier’ and ‘Foyle’s War‘, but aside from the film ‘The Trench’ I understand this is your first action war film. How did you become involved?
Danny: I was sent the script in the very early stages at which point it was just an idea, but there was no money and so it didn’t really materialize to anything. Then I was contacted again when they’d secured a bit of money and away we went. It’s a great script and the story is of course based on Ian Fleming who wrote the James Bond films and the forming of an elite commando unit who are skilled and trained to go behind enemy lines. I loved the whole traditional feel to it. I think it’s been a long time since anything this authentic was filmed. There are so many big Americanized war films that don’t always represent it as it was and it’s great to be part of something that focused on this as it genuinely happened.
Film News: The battle scenes in the film look impressively authentic, what kind of training did you have to undergo prior to filming?
Danny: The budget was so low for this film we really didn’t have the money to get involved a great deal in training. I’d have loved to have taken part in a 6 week military training programme I really would, but the reality is we only had a couple of days with some highly skilled and experienced marines, which was amazing. A lot of the guys who played the Nazis soldiers in the film were in fact ex-marines, so they were on-hand to answer our questions as we went which was invaluable. They not only taught us about the World War II equipment, how to hold it and when to use it, they also helped us get our heads around the whole mindset for example how they viewed death which I think was a huge insight and one of the hardest things to really comprehend.
It was great having them onset as there’d be lots of banter and they’d tell us when we were doing something wrong and take the piss. It also put us actors under a lot of pressure in a short space of time as it was not simply a case of communicating and acting out the dialogue but also ensuring we were holding our guns and equipment correctly and running in the right way. I was just so desperate to get it right and make it as authentic as possible and worked really hard to do my character justice. I learnt so much from it.
Film News: What were the biggest challenges you faced as an actor during the filming of scenes, particularly in Norway where it looked incredibly cold and remote?
Danny: The scenes in Norway were the hardest. I love the snow! I’m like a big kid in it, but honestly when you’re trudging through 6 metres of it day in day out and trying to run in it, it’s not easy. Just one foot wrong and you could find yourself disappearing 2 metres deep. It also made it difficult for cameras to be moved around and as a result we were sometimes stood for long periods waiting for them.
Aside from the weather, the remoteness meant we were in close proximity of each other and some nasty illness went through the cast and crew which meant we were all trying to fight sickness and diarrhoea. It was also the during the ash cloud, so we had that to contend with during filming too.
I think we were all grateful of a good day’s filming when we could go back to our log cabins, they were very cute, and sit by the fire and warm up (laughs). I was pleased to get home from all of that.
Film News: Your character, Rains is one that is given a lucky break by Major Jones - played by Sean Bean - who recognises Rains potential, despite his struggle with authority and discipline. Is this a character with which you have identified at any point in your own life Danny?
Danny: Rains is a really interesting character and I’m sure the producers had their reasons for choosing me for the part. In a way that’s what we do as actors, we look for the similarities within and try and draw on our own experiences first.
There are a lot of scenes they cut which go into Rains’ life as an orphan which I think help you empathise with him as a character. As you see in the film, he really struggles with taking orders from a senior officer who has never been on the frontline and that’s where Sean Bean as Jones comes in. The film then traces my journey through training and the tipping point at which Jones identifies I’m ready to go out as one of the elite. It’s at this point and throughout the rest of the film that I was conscious of my entire movement. Was I running right? Was I holding my gun right? I had to look the part on order for the viewers to see and believe it.
Film News: What was it like working alongside Sean Bean, a hugely experienced and somewhat seasoned war actor?
Danny: He’s a f**cking veteran isn’t he? We worked together on ‘Outlaw’ and it’s been 4 years since I’ve seen him, but working with Sean is always great. I remember him having that old school Northern approach to him, which I totally respect and he hasn’t lost. He’s an out and out professional who knows his character, turns up, plays his part and f**cks off again and I like that about him. In fact I think he finished filming ‘Age of Heroes’ and flew out to Russia the next day for ‘Game of Thrones‘. The man’s a professional and he doesn’t stop!
Film News: The film will be screened in just six cinemas in the UK before it goes on general release (DVD) on 13th June with the possibility of becoming a trilogy thereafter. Will you continue to be a part of the trilogy that follows?
Danny: Yes, I only found out today about it being screened in limited cinemas. I think the reasoning is that they feel it will appeal in the main to the war film fans. It’s not the kind of film a fella’s going to take a nice fit bird on a date to see. It’s something Dads and those who are into their war films will like and hopefully want to buy. You’ve got to take risks, and we’re really hoping it does well in the cinema and on DVD.
As for being in the trilogy, for sure I’ll be in it as it centres around my character and Rains journey forward. If all goes ahead, which I really hope it does the next will be ‘Age of Honour’ followed by ‘Age of Glory’.
Film News: Does this film represent a turning point at all for you as an actor Danny? Can we expect to see you in more historical or factual based films moving forward in your career?
Danny: I hope so. I’m trying to take on new roles and do something different now. I think it’s fair to say I’ve chosen a few ropey scripts in recent years which I’ve been able to do with my eyes closed. I’m now looking to challenge myself again and taking on new roles like this is something I am passionate about.
Film News: What do you enjoy doing day to day when you’re not engrossed in a script and acting Danny?
Danny: Well I’m a father of two girls, a teenager (15-years-old) and a toddler (four-years-old) so I spend most of my time playing Dad, which is totally exhausting in itself but I love it. If I’m not playing Barbie dolls, I’m ferrying my eldest around here there and everywhere like a taxi driver. A house full of women is challenging, and I equally love it when they all go to bed and I get to do boy stuff like watch DVDs and play computer games (laughs).
Film News: We know you were born and brought up in Canning Town, but understand you now live with your family in Loughton, Essex. What do you think of the series ‘The Only Way is Essex‘? Is it a fair representation of Essex life as you know it and are you destined to make an appearance in series 3 or 4 maybe?
Danny: My eldest daughter is in love with this Mark Wright character, I know that much. I’ve not seen a great deal of it but I know it’s been a huge success and everyone’s going mad about it at the mo. I don’t think it’s reflective of Essex life as a whole no, and I do sit back as an actor and wonder what’s going on and if this is the way things are heading. We all seem so obsessed with reality and following people’s everyday lives, which is a bit of a worry. Fair play to them though, they obviously like being on camera, it’s very popular and are making some money out of it so I wish them the very best with it.
Cinemas screening 'Age of Heroes' from Friday 20th May are as follows:Apollo Altrincham
Apollo Burnley
Apollo Barrow
Apollo Redditch
Apollo Stroud
Apollo Torbay
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