Dornan says with a laugh.
“‘Like, what is happening here?
This is the craziest s— ever put on celluloid.’
Cate Cameron/The CW
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: How was this initially pitched to you?
How did Kristen and Annie even venture to explain what this movie was about?
JAMIE DORNAN:It was one of those things where the title said so much about it.
They kind of are like magic, Kristen and Annie.
But I read it and was like, “What the f—?
This is mad.”
It felt like that, but it also had real heart to it.
That’s an interesting combination and also really hard to achieve.
You’re right, you’ve never really done anything like this before.
It’s just so great.
I’ve played a lot of very serious characters; I will continue to play very serious characters.
And I think I’m spending all of 2022 being very,veryserious.
That’s kind of who I am, a lot of the time.
Anyone who knows me well knows that.
There was nothing that was too silly, and that just suited me.
I was like,If I can just get over the first day, and get comfortable…
The thing about Kristen and Annie is that they made me comfortable so quickly.
F—, this could go wrong.”
What went into choreographing that?
More than you’d think!
When I first read the script, I think it was only like two lines of stage direction.
It said something like, “Edgar emotionally dances in aFootloosefashion,” or something.
I hadn’t even picked up on it.
He said, “For Edgar’s big number!”
and I said, “F—, I need to look at the script again.
I have no idea what he’s talking about.”
It turns out that those two lines were this massive two-day affair of Edgar’s musical number.
Kristen and Annie wrote the song, and by the time I got out there, I knew it.
They were like, “Do whatever you want.
[Laughs] It’s so absurd.
But singing it was tough.
I can sing a bit, but that’s a hard song to sing.
I got it out, just about.
It’s sort of a classic emotional ballad, in the best way.
Yeah, it’s a sort of ’80s power ballad.
It’s a big song!
Do you think a musical would be in your future?
I do like the idea of it.
I don’t care how much they would pay me.
I would just be so sad!
I would imagine that would be the most rewarding part of doing something totally bonkers likeBarb and Star.
Yeah, and you never want to be in your comfort zone as an actor, ever.
That’s my belief, anyway.Barb and Stardidn’t feel easy.
Comedy is just a totally different beast.
What did you find most challenging about it?
To be honest, not laughing was half the battle for me.
That was absolute torture that day.
This has literally never happened to me, but itflooredme.
I dropped to my knees laughing.
I’ve never done that!
I was, like, heaving!
They’re total pros, and I’m out of the game, on the floor.
I know you filmed on location at a beach resort.
What for you was your most memorable day on set?
It was so hot.
We were in Cancun in July, and there were a lot of people at the resort.
I’m Irish, so that’s a lot of heat for me.
I was sweatingsomuch but I was also kind of having the time of my life.
I remember that day, my family were with me for part of it.
It was the bit where I was on the jet ski, but I’m on land.
I was like, “I think they’re starting to work it out.”
[Laughs]
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