Liam Neeson’s Very Short Audition for The Princess Bride

TL;DR

Liam Neeson shares insights on his reading habits and upcoming movie, "Honest Thief."

Transcript

first guest tonight is a great actor he goes from dark knight to jedi knight schindler to special skills with the greatest of ease he is back beating bad guys in the new movie honest thief it opens in theaters a week from today please welcome liam hey neeson how are you nice to see you again it's nice to see you two and i like seeing those uh flies... Read More

Key Insights

• 😫 Neeson found solace in reading during the long months spent away from the film set due to the pandemic.
• 🥰 His love for fly fishing brings a personal touch to his life, as he discussed the sport even when discussing work.
• 💋 "Honest Thief" marks another action-packed role for Neeson, blending his established thriller persona with romance.
• 🧑‍⚖️ Neeson's preferred method of judging script quality reflects a simple yet effective approach to choosing projects.
• ❓ His friendship with celebrities like Bono illustrates how personal connections can influence his career choices.
• ❓ Neeson’s reflections on technological advancements highlight his mixed feelings towards modern gadgets.
• 🧑‍🏭 The actor’s anecdote about a past audition shows that he has retained a sense of humor regarding his career journey.

Questions & Answers

Q: What was it like for Liam Neeson to spend so much time upstate?

Neeson enjoyed his time upstate, where he focused on reading. He mentioned reading 29 to 31 books, a significant accomplishment considering his busy film schedule. His reading list included literary classics, which he felt he ought to read before the pandemic provided him the time to do so. This experience allowed him to delve deeper into literature he had always wanted to explore.

Q: Can you elaborate on Neeson’s new movie, "Honest Thief"?

In "Honest Thief," Liam Neeson plays a bank robber seeking to change his ways and pursue love. His character is deeply in love with Kate Walsh's character, and the film explores themes of redemption and the complexities of starting over. The film combines action with a love story, showcasing Neeson’s range as an actor in both genres.

Q: How does Neeson choose which movie scripts to accept?

Neeson employs his "cup of tea test" as a gauge for script selection. If he feels compelled to get up and make tea after five pages, he takes it as a sign that the script may not be engaging enough. Conversely, if he can read through an entire script in one sitting, it's a strong indicator that he is interested in the project.

Q: What motivated Neeson to read classic literature during the pandemic?

Neeson felt a sense of urgency to read classic works he had previously set aside. With the unexpected free time during the pandemic, he aimed to alleviate his guilt for not having read significant authors, including James Joyce. This mindset led him to tackle complex works such as "Crime and Punishment," finding them rewarding despite their challenges.

Q: How does Liam Neeson feel about technology and gadgets, especially regarding reading?

While Neeson isn't particularly tech-savvy, he appreciates the convenience of e-readers like Kindle for traveling. He often carries physical books but finds that an e-reader, especially with its built-in light, is practical when staying in hotels with bad lighting. His preference remains with physical books, reflecting a traditional approach to reading.

Q: Did Neeson ever express regrets about not being in certain films?

During the conversation, Neeson humorously recounted an occasion when he was considered for a role in "The Princess Bride," which ultimately went to André the Giant. He felt nervous about the audition and that the director, Rob Reiner, made a rather blunt comment about his height, making him realize the challenges of matching certain roles.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Liam Neeson reflects on his time spent upstate, where he read over thirty books, including classics by James Joyce, while practicing fly fishing.

• He discusses the significance of his new movie, "Honest Thief," where he portrays a bank robber seeking redemption and love with Kate Walsh's character.

• Neeson also shares his film selection process, emphasizing his "cup of tea test" to gauge his interest in scripts he receives.