Jeremy Irvine's War Horse wonder
War Horse The British stage and screen actor – who starred in television series Life Bites – did, however, admit that he had an inkling about what the unnamed movie was when auditioning, although he did not receive official confirmation that it was Spielberg’s wartime drama.
The 21-year-old said: “It was a long process, doing lots of cold readings. I had kind of guessed this was War Horse for Steven Spielberg, but we hadn’t really talked about it.”
But Irvine did admit that landing the role of lead character Albert Narracott was “mindblowing” as he had long-admired the work of successful director Spielberg.
The 21 year-old spoke with entertainment website This Is Fake DIY about his feelings, saying: “I get a phone call at 9 o’clock at night, saying, ‘Can you come and meet Steven Spielberg for tea tomorrow morning?’
“It’s just ridiculous! I grew up watching ET and Jurassic Park, as most people did, and to suddenly be meeting the man himself, one of the best directors ever, is just mindblowing.
“When I was in the chorus with the Royal Shakespeare Company, I thought, ‘This is it, it doesn’t get any better!’”
Irvine also talked about how he was relieved that Spielberg immediately made him feel comfortable on set as he was frightened that he would be sacked for not being up to taking on such a pivotal role.
He added: “You constantly expect someone to tap you on the shoulder and say, ‘We’ve worked you out – you’re not actually a very good actor’. Every scene I was terrified.
“You get on set, and Steven’s greatest asset is that it feels so normal and relaxed. He’s so lovely and approachable.
“I mean, on the back of his chair, instead of ‘Director’, he’s got ‘Dad’ written on it!”
