Tim Roth Breaks His Rule for Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man Premiere
Tim Roth, the acclaimed actor known for his roles in films like Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction, has a long-standing policy of not watching his own work. However, for the premiere of Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, he made an exception. At 64, Roth admitted to breaking this rule after persistent encouragement from leading man Cillian Murphy, creator Steven Knight, and director Tom Harper. The London-born actor attended the Birmingham premiere earlier this month, though he missed a key moment due to an unexpected delay.
A Missed Moment and a Memorable Line
"I missed the beginning, which was actually the only thing that I wanted to see because I improvised the line when we were filming that became the first line in the film," Roth explained with mock frustration. He refers to a bold line delivered by his character, John Beckett, a quietly sinister villain, on a train platform. "And I missed it because I was having a pee in Birmingham with Steve! So it's his fault." This line immediately establishes Beckett's allegiance in the film, setting the tone for his manipulative role.
Joining the Peaky Blinders Universe
Roth seamlessly integrates into the Peaky Blinders cast, following in the footsteps of stars like Tom Hardy and Anya Taylor-Joy. He was drawn to the immersive world-building of Steven Knight, which has captivated global audiences since its debut on BBC Two. Roth's entry into the Peaky universe was straightforward, initiated by a text from Cillian Murphy after Murphy's Oscar win. "I texted him when he got his Oscar because I know a bit of what that used to be like," Roth said. Murphy's response included an offer to collaborate on the cinematic conclusion of the series, a project Roth accepted without having seen the show to maintain a fresh perspective.
A Two-Decade Friendship with Cillian Murphy
Roth and Murphy first met in 2006 at the Cannes Film Festival and have been friends for 20 years. "I always loved him. He's properly a good man. He's bloody good at his job, the real deal," Roth praised. He noted that while he experiences stage fright, Murphy deals with film fright, a topic they discussed during filming. The Immortal Man is set during World War Two, continuing the story of Tommy Shelby from a shellshocked WWI veteran to a key figure in the next global conflict. This setting resonated with Roth, whose father served as a rear gunner in the Bombers during the war.
Reflections on War and Family
Roth's father, Ernie, was an American who moved to Liverpool to escape poverty and later served in the war. "There was no such thing as PTSD until recently, and so it stayed with him for all of his life," Roth shared. He aimed to honor his father's memory by accurately portraying the complexities of war in the film. "I think he might have enjoyed it," Roth added, reflecting on the personal significance of the role.
A Varied and Anarchic Career
With over 40 years in the industry, Roth has balanced Hollywood franchises like the MCU, where he plays Emil Blonsky/Abomination, with independent films and TV work. "I really did not expect any of this, but I always wanted it to be anarchic, the whole journey," he said. He has collaborated with first-time directors, including Quentin Tarantino, and values the unpredictability of his career. Roth humorously recalled having his scenes cut from Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, with the billing reading "Tim Roth – cut."
Old-School Filmmaking and AI Concerns
Roth prefers traditional filmmaking methods and expressed concerns about modern trends like shaky camera work and AI. "I'm old-school. I'd like to work humans," he stated. He declined a role that proposed using AI to fix language issues, emphasizing the importance of authenticity. Despite living in the US, Roth remains connected to the UK and Europe, seeking projects in these regions. He recently completed a film in Wales and is involved in a Prohibition-era project with Timothy Spall.
The Art of Playing Villains
Known for his villainous roles, from his debut in Made in Britain to Planet of the Apes, Roth reflected on what makes a great onscreen villain. "Generally, people just tend to remember the villains, which is weird. So you can play good guys for ages... or maybe I just don't do them so well!" he joked. For his role as John Beckett in The Immortal Man, he aimed to portray him as a "nice guy" with a gentle demeanor, akin to a geography teacher. "It's to bring a good twist to them and have fun and make sure the audience has fun too," he concluded.
Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man is now streaming exclusively on Netflix, offering fans a cinematic finale to the beloved series.
