MADS MIKKELSEN Children are rarely impressed when their dad is a world-famous film star. But when he told them he had been offered the role of the evil wizard Gellert Grindelwald in the currently-showing Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, they were overjoyed:
- My daughter was little when the first Harry Potter films came out, and she still loves them, Mads Mikkelsen said in interviews during this year's Cannes Film Festival. Thanks to
My children have watched all the Harry Potter films a number of times, and when my children said I just ‘had’ to jump on the offer to take part in Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, I took the chance. Normally Mads would take his time reading the script and planning how to portray the role, but this time there wasn't time for that. The film was already under production, and Johnny Depp, who played the role in the two previous Fantastic Beasts films, was sacked due to the protracted divorce wrangle with Amber Heard.
– I only had two days to watch the films, read through the script, and then it was straight off to the film set, says Mads. I wish I had had the chance to speak with Johnny Depp, to clear the air and be sure there were no hard feelings between us. But that will have to be in the future, hopefully. I have tried to make the role my own. Copying Johnny would have been creative suicide. That Mads is skilled at portraying different kinds of roles we have seen many times
over the years. Despite actually only starting his acting career at the age of 30, he has managed to feature in more than 40 feature films. Including the acclaimed Danish films Pusher, After the Wedding, The Hunt and Another Round. Furthermore, we have seen him in a series of major international productions, including the James Bond film Casino Royale, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and the Marvel adventure Doctor Strange.
In Hollywood films, I almost always get to play villain roles, while in Europe I play more sympathetic characters. I don't know exactly why that is, but it's probably down to my accent. My Danish accent probably sounds very evil, or something, but I don't mind because it's given me the opportunity to participate in many fantastic projects. It's fun to act in smaller films where you get to help develop the script, where there are only 20 people in the film crew and you become like a family. At the same time, it's very fun with big films, gigantic filming locations and several hundred people in the team. Both options are a challenge for me as an actor, but I enjoy the challenge of being forced to deliver a believable role regardless of the budget.
Mads' latest major project is the new, eagerly awaited Indiana Jones film opposite Harrison Ford, Antonio Banderas and Phoebe Waller-Bridge. The film is coming next.
and Mads is not allowed to reveal anything about the film's plot, but he commented in a recent interview that it is a great honour to be part of a film series he grew up with.
I was so lucky that they let me read the script in advance. And yes, it was everything I'd wished it would be, so it felt great.
Mads describes himself as a restless type with lots of energy. He enjoys filming action and adventure, but he says it takes a toll on his body. Thanks to his good fitness and being a well-trained sports enthusiast, he manages quite well in action scenes nonetheless.
– Well, I won't complain, but it feels like more now than it did before. Mads likes life as an actor, even though it was never something he dreamed of when he was growing up.
- I mostly did sports when I was growing up, especially gymnastics. I dedicated a large part of my adult life to gymnastics and then to dancing. I met my wife Hanne when I was studying ballet in Gothenburg in the late 80s. Mads enjoyed working with dance and choreography, but when his older brother Lars, by a year,
– as we know him best from Brottet, Borgen, Sherlock, and House of Cards – Mads became curious and keen to try him too. For fun
He applied for a drama course and got accepted. He made his first Danish role in Pusher at the age of 30 and appeared in his first international film, King Arthur, at the age of 40. He says he's glad he took the leap and that he loves his work. The only downside is that he has to be away from home for long periods. Mads has
been married for many years to Hanne, who is a dancer and choreographer. When Mads works abroad for long periods, the family usually visits. However, his children have chosen
other careers. The daughter, Viola, is 30 years old and works in healthcare, and the son, Carl, is a professional soldier in the Danish army.
– They have no desire to be in the spotlight. I actually don't think they are particularly impressed with my career choice, but I'm happy to participate in Fantastic Beasts:
Dumbledore's Secrets so that at least there is one film that I know they love.
Mads has been voted Denmark's sexiest man on multiple occasions. When reminded of this, he laughs and shakes his head.
– I don’t care about that sort of thing. It has nothing to do with my work, but of course, it's a bit flattering.
MADS MIKKELSEN
Age: 57
Boron Copenhagen.
Family His wife Hanne Jacobsen, dancer and choreographer, daughter Viola, 30, and son Carl, 25.
Do: Actor Featured films: Pusher, After the Wedding, The Hunt, Casino Royale, Hannibal, Valhalla Rising, King Arthur, Clash of the Titans, A Royal Affair, Doctor Strange, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Salvation, Men & Chicken, A Royal Affair, Another Round, Riders of Justice.
Currently Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore is now showing in cinemas.
