Interview with Hugh Jackman and Taron Egerton of Eddie the Eagle

EDDIE THE EAGLE – IN THEATERS FEBRUARY 26

Inspired by true events, Eddie the Eagle is a feel-good story about Michael “Eddie” Edwards (Taron Egerton), an unlikely but courageous British ski-jumper who never stopped believing in himself – even as an entire nation was counting him out. With the help of a rebellious and charismatic coach (played by Hugh Jackman), Eddie takes on the establishment and wins the hearts of sports fans around the world by making an improbable and historic showing at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. From producers of Kingsman: The Secret Service, Eddie the Eagle stars Taron Egerton as Eddie, the loveable underdog with a never say die attitude.

We had a chance to sit down with Hugh Jackman, Taron Egerton and talk about the film and what drew them to this story. I have been a big fan of Hugh Jackman for many years now and was so excited to speak to him and Taron about the movie. Taron was amazing in Kingsman: The Secret Service (a must-see movie as well) and really brings Eddie’s story to life in Eddie the Eagle.

Hugh Jackman: I always loved the story. I was 19 I think when Eddie jumped and in Australia we were captured by this guy. He became a folk hero in Australia and I think this same reason I loved him there is why I love this movie. It taps into everybody’s desire to find the thing they love, to overcome whatever obstacles they are going to overcome to do it and as a parent now, I watch that movie and I am so thrilled my kids are seeing a movie that finally says you don’t actually have to win to be a winner. You have to give with your heart, you have to give it all you got, and you got to love it. That’s it. It’s okay. That’s enough. You don’t actually have to be LeBron James, you can be the school teacher down the road and be a winner. You know what I mean? That’s what I love about it.

Taron Egerton: For me, it was hard to find a reason not to do this movie. It presented a challenge in terms of the acting and I was a huge fan of Dexter [Fletcher], our director. His movies are brilliant. Matthew Vaughn [producer] who I have, you know, I did Kingsman with and of course Hugh, to work with someone who admire so much, uh, [Laughter in room] was a great opportunity, so, it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It has been completely fantastic. It is a joy to be here.

When asked how Taron got into character and if there was something that just clicked for him he said:

Taron Egerton: There were a couple of them. There was a point in London on a train where I was on the underground system in London opposite you. There are windows and because it is a tunnel wall behind it, it is totally pitch black, so you can spend a lot of time checking your hair out and being narcissistic, but I was practicing my, kind of trying to figure out what I was going to do, because there was a lot of talk about me having prosthetics and I really, really, really didn’t want to do it, so I was kind of trying to, you know, find a way of doing it without making a mess. So that was one. And then we did a big costume test on the server. I had to walk around with skis when we first got to Germany and there was something about that marching around, and then of course it comes you know when you do the first stuff with Hugh because it is really all in the friendship and dynamic between us.

Both Taron and Hugh spoke about coming to acting a bit late. Taron was in his teens and Hugh started around 22 years of age. They both seemed very grateful for where they are in their careers now and don’t take any of it for granted. It was great seeing these two fantastic actors who have worked hard to get the success they have be so gracious. Taron went on and on about how wonderful his mom is and that all that is good in him is because of his mother. Very sweet!

They both had a chance to meet Eddie and Taron even sat next to him at the films premiere. It was the first time Eddie had seen the movie and Taron said he was a wreck. He was so nervous and really wanted Eddie to like the film. Apparently, he cried at the end of the movie and Taron and Hugh were hoping they were tears of joy, which turns out they were – Eddie loves the movie!

Directed By: Dexter Fletcher

Screenplay By: Sean Macaulay and Simon Kelton

Produced By: Matthew Vaughn, Adam Bohling, David Reid, Rupert Maconick, Valerie Van Galder

Story By: Simon Kelton

Starring: Taron Egerton, Christopher Walken, Hugh Jackman

Director Dexter Fletcher seen at Twentieth Century Fox Special Screening of "Eddie The Eagle" on Thursday, January 28, 2016, in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Dan Steinberg/Invision for Twentieth Century Fox/AP Images) — Director Dexter Fletcher seen at Twentieth Century Fox Special Screening of “Eddie The Eagle” on Thursday, January 28, 2016, in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Dan Steinberg/Invision for Twentieth Century Fox/AP Images)

We also had a chance to meet Dexter Fletcher, the Director of Eddie the Eagle and I am so glad we did. Molly from Twentieth Century Fox told us before we met Dexter how lovely he is. She spoke so highly of him and after meeting him I can see why. We seriously all fell in love with his personality and energy. He is a childhood actor and has grown up in the industry. He spoke about how in his 20’s he was going down the wrong path in life – partying too much, spending his hard-earned money on frivolous things and it took a woman who he ended up marrying, to turn his life around. To hear him speak so honestly and pure, was such a refreshing thing to see and hear. We all really enjoyed our conversation with Dexter. I loved him in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and I really enjoyed the wonderful movie he helped create with Eddie the Eagle.

When asked about the crazy stunts that were done Dexter explained how they got the great footage for the film (and if anyone got hurt):

Dexter Fletcher: Yes, exactly. No, no, no, everybody’s fine. There’s not a guy walking around with crutches now. No, there were some crazy German stuntmen who–because we filmed in Germany. And we had this amazing second unit director, who is a guy called Vic Armstrong, and he was a stuntman in the ’80s on films like Raiders of the Lost Ark. When you see Raiders of the Lost Ark, and there’s a big boulder chasing Harrison Ford, this is Vic Armstrong, or when you see a guy going underneath a truck on a whip, his name is Vic Armstrong. He came and did all our stunts.

So, he put together this team of German guys, all a bit crazy. They’re all a bit bonkers, you know? “Oh, yes, we’ll do it.” And they all just jumped off of this thing. I mean we were filming another bit where we could see them down, and they just kept jumping off and falling over. So, it’s great.

He came back with 90 hours of footage for me because he had lots of different cameras. And that was just on the 40-meter jump.

We all laughed at this because once you see the movie, you’ll understand how many times these guys must have jumped and fallen to get the footage of Eddie falling all the time.

Meeting Hugh, Taron and Dexter was wonderful and hearing how each of them cared about how Eddie’s story would be told – authentically and with the power to inspire others to go after their own dreams. A very powerful movie the whole family will enjoy!