Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is quickly growing accustomed to working with film and television creators who possess genuine vision. While playing Jaime Lannister on HBOs hit series Game of Thrones, he goes to work every day in David Benioff and D.B. Weiss fully realized version of the mythical realms that author George R.R. Martin has spent decades detailing in his fantasy novels.
Im part of it and I have no idea how they pull it off. Its quite astounding, he enthuses. Im in complete awe of those creators.
When he first laid eyes on Mama, a 2008 short film by Argentine director Andy Muschietti, he glimpsed similar perfectionist tendencies. When you see that three-minute short, you can really sense that this is a guy who has an immense attention to detail, says the Danish-born actor. I saw it and I could almost feel the fabric of the clothes. It was so beautifully shot... It was just immaculate.
He certainly wasnt the only one taken with Muschiettis skills as both a craftsman and fabulist. The feature length version of (opening January 18) is executive produced by Guillermo del Toro (Pans Labyrinth) and co-stars Oscar-nominee Jessica Chastain.
Coster-Waldau and Chastain play an illustrator and musician who are forced into the role of foster parents to his young nieces (solemn Megan Charpentier and downright creepy Isabelle Nélisse). Abandoned in a cabin in the woods for five years after their parents deaths, the girls are practically feral. Furthermore, theyve brought a sinister and fiercely protective spectral presence along with them.
If they hadnt found two girls who could pull it off, you wouldnt have a movie, says Coster-Waldau of his young co-stars. The plot is so big and theyre so important for this story. We were very lucky to find Megan and Isabelle. They did an amazing job.
A father of two daughters himself, he frequently drew from his own life experiences in order to connect with Muschiettis otherworldly ghost story. My kids are possessed. I have no doubt about it. They are off in a different universe, he jokes.
That said, he confesses that his paternal instincts often kicked in during filming. Sometimes there are scenes that are really difficult for these kids. Theres a lot riding on their shoulders. And Im the quickest to go, Alright, stop. Thats fine. Thats enough. Its always the women [in the crew] that say, No, no, no... They can do it again. Laughing, he concludes, I think men, in general, are softer than women.
And when the third season of is unveiled on March 31, Coster-Waldau will finally have the opportunity to showcase some of the softer qualities of Jaime Lannister, the Kingslayer first seen having sex with his sister and pushing a child out of a window. Reflecting back on how no one knew what to expect in terms of audience response before the series debut, he recalls, I was just hoping that we would make it to Season 3... For my character, this season is a key season. So many great things happen... Interesting things. And now weve shot it and I cant wait for people to see it.
