Javier Bardem might be one of our most iconic actors – but it’ll take more than that to impress his kids.
The actor, who’s won accolades and hearts during his decades-long career, who he shares with Penelope Cruz.
And he’s hoping that his new film with , Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile, is the one that’s finally going to get them caring about their dear old dad’s job.
Chatting to Metro.co.uk about why he took on the ‘surreal’ film, which sees him star as a showman alongside a singing and dancing crocodile played by Shawn Mendes, he quipped: ‘For my kids to watch a movie with dad in it, so they’re finally proud of what I do – because they don’t care!’
‘I watch many family and kids’ movies because of my kids and I have to say I enjoy most of them, because most of them are great, are fun, are beautifully done,’ he added. ‘I’m speaking about the animation ones as well. To be part of that…you’re not offered those kind of movies very often.’
But his role wasn’t exactly a piece of cake.
‘[There’s a scene where] I’m singing and dancing in front of a full theatre – there was a moment where they have to put the people in the theatre,’ he recalled.
‘So I was actually performing for 300 people – me, who’s not a singer or a dancer. That was pretty surreal. But it was also really exciting because I really had to perform for them, not just one time but several times.’
Preparation was key, with Javier studying the ‘geniuses’ of comedy, including Buster Keaton, to get his performance spot on.
‘I was watching a lot of physical comedy on shows or in movies, even old movies, not to imitate that but to be aware of the skills that those people have that I don’t have,’ he explained.
‘At least I know the vibe that they were playing with. Also the mannerisms of these characters is something that I wasn’t aware of until I put the clothes on and the hair and the moustache and all of a sudden… You show up and it was fun to do, to express yourself through that character.
‘I saw many ancient comedies, I was watching the geniuses. I was watching Buster Keaton, I was watching the old guys because back in those days, I don’t know how they did it. They were so well synchronised and that’s what struck me the most. And making it look so spontaneous. That’s something that I was very impressed with.’
Of course, Javier’s had an incredibly varied and successful career, but he’s taking nothing for granted.
‘I go by the moment. I never would have said, if you asked me that two years ago, “Yes I want to be in a musical with a crocodile!” You never know what’s going to happen, but I feel blessed and thankful because I have opportunities.
‘I have a job and I have opportunities – that’s a lot to say today. My goal is to keep on working and to try to do the best I can.’
Lyl, Lyle, Crocodile is released on October 14.
