Big-budget movies or TV? It’s all the same for Rellik star Ray Stevenson

The Sunday Post
Written by Bill Gibb, 25 September 2017

Brought up in Northumberland, Ray now flies halfway round the world to share a screen with Cate Blanchett.

And as iN10 catches up with him to chat about the BBC’s gritty serial killer drama, he admits it’s not the worst acting gig around.

Northern Ireland-born Ray plays Volstagg, one of the characters in the blockbuster Thor franchise.

“He wasn’t going to be in Thor 3 but then Marvel decided to fly me down to Brisbane to shoot a scene with Cate,” explains Ray.

“It was great. My kids were on set while she was destroying every known world in the universe.

“When you fly back, you’ve no idea what planet you’re on, but it’s a high class problem to have.

“The toughest thing is what to do between jobs, to just try and be normal.”

Ray has become one of Hollywood’s favourite Brit stars and Oscar-winner Blanchett is just one luminary he’s found himself acting alongside.

One of his three forthcoming films, Final Score, sees him play Pierce Brosnan’s brother and he’s also been in movies with the likes of Samuel L. Jackson, Christopher Walken, Gary Oldman, Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg.

“I’ve had the most tremendous time. I went toe-to-toe with The Rock in GI Joe: Retaliation.

“I’ve got about a quarter of a centimetre height on him, but his arms are the size of my legs!

“All credit to him. He’s completely committed himself to such a playing range and he does it with such conviction.

“And then there was Denzel Washington, a double Oscar-winner. He was a consummate actor and a very decent person.

https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/big-budget-movies-or-tv-its-all-the-same-ray-stevenson/

"Big Game" movie trailer - Ray Stevenson, Samuel L. Jackson, Jim Broadbent

Colin Firth says he is ‘still processing’ his response to intense action sequences in Kingsman: The Secret Service

DAILY MAIL
By SAM CREIGHTON FOR THE DAILY MAIL
PUBLISHED: 20:34 EST, 1 January 2015 | UPDATED: 06:22 EST, 2 January 2015



He made his name playing calm, civilised gentlemen in films such as Love Actually.

So movie-goers may be shocked at the graphic violence in Colin Firth’s latest film.

The actor, told Empire magazine he was ‘still processing’ his response to scenes such as gun battles in Kingsman: The Secret Service. He called for ‘legitimate discussions’ on whether film-makers should be encouraging audiences to enjoy violence.

Campaigners called his remarks ‘very encouraging’ but urged him to refuse roles in such films in future.

In Kingsman, rated 15 and due for release on January 29, Firth plays a spy training a homeless youngster to be a secret agent.



Kingsman also stars Sir Michael Caine and Samuel L. Jackson and is released on January 29 with a 15 rating.

It is the latest film from Matthew Vaughn, the husband on supermodel Claudia Schiffer and the director behind the films Layer Cake and Kick-Ass, which both drew attention because of their controversial content.

This latest project sees super-spy Harry Hart, played by Firth, take a rough street kid under his wing and train him to be a lethal secret agent.

But father-of-three Firth said: ‘I’m still processing my response. I did think, “I don’t know what I’m getting into now.” And there will be arguments, legitimate discussions, about whether it’s healthy to enjoy anything with violence.

'Particularly when you’re dared to enjoy it. I still don’t have the answers on what’s supposed to be good and bad. But I was exhilarated as well.’

His comments have been welcomed by campaigners against on-screen violence, who have called on filmmakers to take note of Firth’s concerns.

Pippa Smith, co-founder of the Safermedia campaign, said: ‘I think it’s very encouraging that an actor of his standing does question this level of violence. I rather hope that at some point someone will say “I’m not going to act in this film because of the levels of violence and I shouldn’t be promoting this sort of violence”, but I’m very encouraged to hear what he’s said.

‘It’s made him worried and concerned obviously and he’s quite right to be concerned that viewers are almost expected to enjoy this sort of violence, otherwise why would they have it in the first place?


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2893944/We-need-talk-violence-films-Colin-Firth-says-processing-response-intense-action-sequences-Kingsman-Secret-Service.html#ixzz3NgHRFFvM 
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Colin Firth: Early Rave Reviews Roll In For 'Kingsman: The Secret Service'

INDIEWIRE
By Kevin Jagernauth | The Playlist
December 30, 2014 at 10:09AM



It's a bit surprising given that Fox had pushed the movie out of its original fall release date into early 2015, and that the movie itself — a violent, tongue-in-cheek riff on the spy genre starring Colin Firth and Samuel L. Jackson — doesn't exactly scream critic bait. But it seems Vaughan has pulled it off, creating a big piece of popcorn entertainment that works on all levels, even if some of the button-pushing sequences and alleged sexism are expected to create some controversy. "Kingsman: The Secret Service" opens on February 13th. Here's what the critics had to say:

The Guardian: "They say the clothes make the man, and these are some killer duds....Despite the presence of grandfatherly Michael Caine, Kingsman’s tone is about as far from the Christopher Nolan-style superhero film as you can get. Verisimilitude is frequently traded in for a rich laugh. The action scenes delight with shock humour. It’s violent, but not gory, ready-made for word balloons reading 'OOOF' or 'KRAKOOM.' "

(there is absolutely no reason for me to include this GIF except for the obvious)

Empire: "Perhaps the riskiest mainstream movie in years, Vaughn’s love letter to spy movies may be uneven in places, but it’s ultra-violent, envelope-pushing, and fun enough to overcome the flaws. Bond with the stabilisers taken off."

The Wrap: "The fifth and, yes, best film from director Matthew Vaughn ('Layer Cake,' 'X-Men: First Class'), 'Kingsman: The Secret Service' is a startlingly enjoyable and well-made action film leavened by humor and slicked along by style, made by, for, and about people who’ve seen far too many Bond films."



THR: "As he did in 'X-Men: First Class,' director Matthew Vaughn strikes an energetic balance between cartoonish action and character-driven drama, though the tinge here is darker, with a story that hinges on matters of climate change, the insidiousness of technology and the class divide. The mix grows less seamless and the story loses oomph as it barrels toward its doomsday countdown, but the cast's dash and humor never flag. And if the movie sometimes panders shamelessly to fanboys, that could serve it well upon its February release, when it goes head-to-head against a fantasy of another persuasion: 'Fifty Shades of Grey'….Reviewed in nearly final form, the widescreen feature pops with sharp action, including a brief bit of parkour and a car chase in reverse."

READ MORE HERE: http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/early-rave-reviews-roll-in-for-kingsman-the-secret-service-20141230

‘Kingsman: The Secret Service’ Review: Colin Firth Rocks Suits, Stunts, and ‘Splosions

THE WRAP
 By James Rocchi on
December 27, 2014 @ 8:00 am

The fifth and, yes, best film from director Matthew Vaughn (“Layer Cake,” “X-Men: First Class”), “Kingsman: The Secret Service” is a startlingly enjoyable and well-made action film leavened by humor and slicked along by style, made by, for, and about people who’ve seen far too many Bond films. Fleet-footed and unrepentantly British, it’s a reunion of sorts behind the scenes for Vaughn and comics writer Mark Millar, but it’s infinitely better than their 2010 collaboration “Kick-Ass.”

Credit for that goes to Vaughn’s adaptation of the script alongside producer Jane Goldman, which finds cheer and cleverness in Millar’s mixture of retro-style spy action with a snobs-versus-slobs twist.

The basics are basic indeed: Super-spy Harry Hart (Colin Firth, surprisingly capable and up for it), obligated to recruit a new member for the independent spy group from which the film takes its name, chooses the grown-but-aimless son of a late comrade, Gary ‘Eggsy’ Unwin (Taron Egerton). Eggsy is put through his paces as a potential spy even as Hart investigates whether telecommunications mogul Valentine (Samuel L. Jackson, playing a mix of Russell Simmons and Bill Gates by way of Blofeld with a comedy lisp) is the target of a round of kidnappings and killings or if he is, in fact, the mastermind behind them.



With its fashion-forward flair — the film may borrow liberally from the Roger Moore 007 era, but there’s also a touch of Patrick Macnee’s bespoked gentleman spy Mr. Steed from “The Avengers” — “Kingsman: The Secret Service” feels like a well-made gentleman’s suit, with superb cut, distinctive color, and excellent construction.  In terms of cut, the film’s style is precise and yet broad, with the hidden lairs, jump-suited minions and maniacal villains of a long-gone era of Bond movies, perfectly walking the fine line of mocking what it loves and vice versa. You get the gear, the gadgets, and the gusto, but you also get sly winks at how ludicrous it all is; it’s a movie that fakes a stiff upper lip but also constantly raises its eyebrow in amusement.

In terms of color, important for both a film and a men’s ensemble, Vaughn has cast his film fairly perfectly. Firth is game and great in his computer-aided fight scenes and his dialogue delivery, with Egerton a naturally charismatic presence with smarts behind his smile. Mark Strong plays gadgetmaster Merlin, while Michael Caine is briefly brilliant as the head of Kingsman. Jackson goes for broke and strikes riches as Valentine, supported by henchwoman Gazelle (Sofia Boutella), who sports a pair of sharpened-and-bladed prosthetic legs as divinely mad as any deadly dentures Richard Kiel ever wore as Jaws. The score, by Henry Jackman and Matthew Margeson, offers perfectly fun pastiches of John Barry’s iconic work on the 007 films.

READ MORE HERE: http://www.thewrap.com/kingsman-the-secret-service-review-colin-firth-samuel-l-jackson-michael-caine/

COLIN FIRTH KILLS, THRILLS IN 'KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE' TRAILER AND POSTERS

Wednesday, 26 November 2014 11:04
Written by  iamrogue

"You like spy movies?" Samuel L. Jackson asks in a new trailer for Kingsman: The Secret Service.

"Now days they're all a little serious for my taste," answers Colin Firth.  "Give me a far-fetched theatrical plot any day."

With that, this international trailer announces Kingsman's intentions in no uncertain terms.

Remember Kick-Ass, Matthew Vaughn's smirking, self-consciously outrageous, willfully provocative riff on superhero movie convention?  Well, Kingsman finds the director once again teaming with co-writer Jane Goldman to adapt a comic book by Mark Millar, bringing that same Kick-Ass self-awareness to the spy genre.

Vaughn's love of old Bond was evident in X-Men: First Class, but here, in the film he opted to make instead of X-Men: Days of Future Past, he puts his predilection towards over the top espionage action and genre subversion on blast, trumpeting in particular the impeccably British performance of Colin Firth in his first role as an action hero.

Like Millar's Wanted, The Secret Service follows a nobody from an ordinary life into a heightened world he never knew.  In this case, the nobody is Gary Unwin, a teenage delinquent in London who Firth's Harry Hart takes under his wing, recruiting him for top-secret government service and making him a protege.

British unknown Taron Egerton stars as Unwin, and this international trailer gives the first real sense of how Kingsman follows him from juvenile delinquent to dapper one-man-wrecking-machine.

READ MORE HERE: http://www.iamrogue.com/news/movie-news/item/12493-colin-firth-kills-thrills-in-kingsman-the-secret-service-trailer-and-posters.html

Colin Firth set to 'replace' Jason Orange in Take That video

BEST DAILY.CO.COM
Wednesday, Nov 12 2014 WRITTEN BY Benjamin Potter



 When Jason Orange quit Take That last month, we knew it wouldn't take the trio long to recruit a new member.

According to Gary Barlow, actor Colin Firth has been lined up to replace Jason... well, sort of...

"He's the new fourth man," the former X Factor judge told the Daily Mail.

Colin Firth will be performing with the band on the video of their new song – Get Ready For It – which the bandmates recorded for the forthcoming action spy thriller Kingsman: The Secret Service.



The film stars Firth, Samuel L. Jackson, Mark Strong and Sofia Boutella. The track will play over the movie's closing credits.

"We're getting Colin in the video, and we're all going to be dressed up in the tailored suits he wears in the film. It's a smart look!"

"He can fill in for Jason", Gary added. "We know he can sing a bit."

READ MORE HERE: http://www.bestdaily.co.uk/showbiz/news/a609611/hollywood-actor-colin-firth-set-to-replace-jason-orange-in-take-that-video.html

5 Reasons Matthew Vaughn's 'Kingsman: The Secret Service' Makes Colin Firth An Action Star! [WATCH]

MSTARS
By Jorge Solis (j.solis@mstarsnews.com) | Sep 26, 2014 09:02 PM EDT



Ever since the latest trailer was released, we are more than excited to see Colin Firth and Samuel L. Jackson in Matthew Vaughn's Kingsman: The Secret Service. Based on the comic book, The Secret Service, a veteran secret agent takes his stubborn his young protege and trains him in the double-crossing world of espionage.

Here are five reasons why audiences should be excited to see Colin Firth as an action hero in Kingsman: The Secret Service.

5) James Bond

Both the movie and comic are a satire on the spy thriller genre, especially the James Bond movies. Notice how the Pride and Prejudice actor looks pristine in his expensive suits. Though the role asks the English actor to be an action, he also has to bring in his comedic timing.

4) Kick-Ass

Comic book fans will recognize Mark Millar's name from the gritty and hyper-violent Kick-Ass movies. Though there have been name changes, such as Jack London to Harry Hart, the spirit of the book is still the same. Vaughn is back adapting another one of Millar's books and returning to the genre itself, after X-Men: First Class.

Previous Colin Firth Bar Fight - he's gotten better

3) The Bar Fight

In the trailer, we see Hart (Firth) locking up the doors, just to make sure no one leaves. Hart then takes on the entire gang, using his fists and super-gadgets. As soon as the brawl is over, Hart sits down apologizes and explains he was letting "off some steam."

2) Samuel L. Jackson

In the footage, the Pulp Fiction actor shouts to his sword-legged assassin, "If you get blood on the carpets, you have to take the carpets up!" You want someone to go up against the Oscar-winning The King's Speech actor, this is your guy.


AND THE NUMBER ONE REASON IS:  http://www.mstarz.com/articles/37917/20140926/5-reasons-matthew-vaughns-kingsman-secret-service-colin-firth-samuel-l-jackson.htm

The New ‘Kingsman’ Trailer: You Wouldn’t Like Colin Firth When He’s Angry

MTV
by john walker 10 hours ago



Not to get all Stefon from “Saturday Night Live,” but the new trailer for “Kingsman: The Secret Service” that premiered during tonight’s episode of “Gotham” has everything.

Explosions? Check. Colin Firth being all scary-sexy-serious? Check. A new song by Iggy Azalea featuring Ellie Goulding? Check. A morbidly practical Samuel L. Jackson warning that “If you get blood on the carpets, you have to take the carpets up!”? Check. Ummmmm, LEGS THAT ARE ALSO SWORDS?! Oh my god, check.

READ MORE AT : http://www.mtv.com/news/1939618/kingsman-secret-service-trailer-iggy-azalea/

From Benedict Cumberbatch To Colin Firth: The Smouldering Men Of The GQ Awards

E.
BY REBECCA MERRIMAN  Google+ ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2014



Move over Kim Kardashian because it’s all about the guys tonight at the GQ Men of the Year Awards. While it’s so often the ladies who steal the show at award ceremonies, with their thigh high splits and barely there dresses, tonight is all about celebrating the rugged, handsome types and there’s more than a few to go around.

Benedict Cumberbatch being adorable and suave and Douglas Booth looking so perfect, we could almost cry? We think it's time the spotlight was shone on the guys a bit more.

We never would have wanted to miss Gerard Butler giving a seriously cute, candid smile as he posed backstage decked out in head-to-toe Hugo Boss.

Douglas Booth won Most Stylish Man of the Year, we can't think why! (We're joking, it's pretty darn obvious)

READ MORE HERE: http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/156745/1/From-Benedict-Cumberbatch-To-Colin-Firth-The-Smouldering-Men-Of-The-GQ-Awards

Colin Firth: Trailer for 'Kingsman: The Secret Service' debuts

ENTERTAINMENT IE.



Well here's something we thought we'd never see - noted Oscar-winning British thespian Colin Firth in a comic-book movie. Based on Mark Millar's controversial series that puts a working-class ASBO teenager into the world of high espionage, Kingsman: The Secret Service looks like it could be pretty interesting.

Directed by X-Men: First Class' Matthew Vaughn and starring Michael Caine, Mark Strong and Taron Egerton as well as a little glimpse of Samuel L. Jackson and a lisp, Kingsman: The Secret Service looks like it's blending James Bond with Wanted and a dash of TV's Misfits. Half of the charm will undoubtedly come from the very notion of Colin Firth being an action hero, not to mention the fact that he actually looks like he's enjoying himself.

READ MORE HERE:http://entertainment.ie/cinema/news/Trailer-for-Kingsman-The-Secret-Service-debuts/262981.htm

Colin Firth - Kingsman The Secret Service trailer (this looks like fun)

Colin Firth: I love mentoring

TV3
May 20, 2014



Colin Firth is surprised he's not jealous of younger actors.

Colin Firth expected to turn into a "bitter old actor".

The 53-year-old star has appeared in countless films and many fans will always think of him as the charming Mr. Darcy from '90s TV series Pride and Prejudice.

In action thriller The Secret Service he now takes on the role of a veteran secret agent who mentors a young upstart. Far from making him feel past it, it helped Colin appreciate his experiences so far.

"I love it. I love it. I mean, it's actually one of the things that makes me feel better about growing older," he smiled to insidemovies.ew.com.

"You know, I wondered when I was that age whether I'd end up one of those bitter disappointed old actors who are jealous of young people. I fully expected to be that. But it actually gives me enormous gratification to see how much I'm learning.

"If someone wants to put me in a paternal role, that's great, but actually what's going on in reality is that I'm the one thinking, 'I couldn't do that at that age.' So it's a two-way process."



The young protégé is played by Taron Egerton, whom Colin was so impressed by that he claims he often felt like the "student".

Colin's kick-ass part in The Secret Service is a far cry from his usual roles, which often see him playing the charming British gentleman. It involved a great deal of training, but the actor swears it hasn't given him an action man body.


READ MORE HERE; http://www.tv3.ie/entertainment_article.php?locID=1.803.874&article=135053

Colin Firth kicks ass in WonderCon sneak peak of Matthew Vaugh's 'Secret Service'

HIT FIX
By Philip Pirrello, Comic Book Resources   Monday, Apr 21, 2014 7:15 PM



(CBR) Even though footage from "Secret Service" previously screened at CinemaCon earlier this year, a second showing at WonderCon did not disappoint.

Matthew Vaughn’s upcoming adaptation of Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons' comic centers on a team of covert agents, operating to save the world much like MI-6 and the CIA do – minus the red tape. And with a lot more face busting.

The clip opened with team leader Uncle Jack (Colin Firth) nursing a pint in a UK pub opposite new recruit Gary, played by newcomer Taron Egerton. After exchanging expository dialogue, the drinks are interrupted by a group of hooligans wanting to pick a fight with Gary.

Cue Uncle Jack locking up the bar moments before beating the hell out of these guys, with an umbrella. The most inventive use of the umbrella comes at the end of the fight, as Jack deploys it as a shield to deflect bullets from an assailant – while keeping his sights on his attacker using a night-vision like screen making up the interior of the parasol.

Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/news/wc14-colin-firth-punches-faces-in-sneak-peek-of-matthew-vaughns-secret-service#O5vx77HD2Qt18XJw.99

Tom Hiddleston’s 5 best impressions, From the Cookie Monster to Alan Rickman

METRO
Sarah Deen
Friday 14 Mar 2014 5:53 pm

Tilda Swinton has become the latest celebrity to experience Tom Hiddleston’s knack for uncanny impressions.

Tilda stars in Jim Jarmusch-directed vampire flick Only Lovers Left Alive with Hiddleston, and revealed that her co-star spent a lot of their time together dazzling her with impressions.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, she said: ‘We just sort of chewed it and had a great time. We were nocturnal quite a lot, and we played all sorts of silly stuff. He does quite a lot of impressions pretty constantly.’

While admitting she hadn’t heard Tom do an impersonation of her she added that ‘I have seen his Jim Jarmusch and its very good!’

Hiddleston has been getting Hiddlestoners hot under the collar with his scarily accurate mimicry, but which impression is the best? Here’s our (not definitive) ranking.

5) Chris Evans

Captain America Chris Evans has starred with Hiddleston in Marvel’s Avengers Assemble and Thor: The Dark World (albeit briefly), and the pair have done quite a few press rounds, so its unsurprising that Tom has got Evans’ mannerisms on point.

Verdict: While cute, it’s not one of Tom’s better ones though, and nothing beats Evans’ actual speaking voice. Nothing.

4) Samuel L Jackson

It’s a big risk taking on someone as legendary as Samuel L Jackson, but not only does Tom have a go, he puts a Jackson spin on his much-loved Marvel villain Loki.

Verdict: The ‘I am burdened with glorious mother*****g purpose’ line is gold, but you can’t take on Samuel L Jackson and win.

3) Cookie Monster


READ MORE HERE:  http://metro.co.uk/2014/03/14/from-the-cookie-monster-to-alan-rickman-ranking-tom-hiddlestons-5-best-impressions-4577259/

Colin Firth, Samuel L. Jackson filming The Secret Service (spoilers & pictures)

SURREY HEATH RESIDENTS
(No date listed)

Filming at the Garrison Church of St Barbara was at a fast pace today with, Samuel L Jackson and Colin Firth on set.

If you want to watch the movie when it comes out then don’t read on as this could be a major spoiler.

As the filming has gone on more about the plot is revealed. For starters the location of the church in the film is in America. So our cherished church in Deepcut has been renamed for the movie to South Glade Mission Church. A house opposite the church where The Secret Service - St Barbaras Churchsome filming also took place today (29th October 2013) even has an American style letter box installed at the end of the drive way.

A large amount of the filming today was outdoors with Samuel L Jackson and Colin Firth.

I visited the church a couple of times and managed to get footage of Samuel L Jackson shooting Colin Firth in the head. (Gasps from some of our female readers). This scene was repeated several times and Samuel L Jackson heard shouting and swearing which was obviously part of the scene. You can watch the footage I captured on my Instagram here.

In between filming Samuel L Jackson waved to local residents who were watching from the sidelines.

Disturbing pictures...

MANY MORE PICTURES - READ MORE HERE:http://surreyheath-residents.co.uk/2013/10/29/samuel-l-jackson-colin-firth-in-deepcut-today-thesecretservice-photo-blog/

Colin Firth gunned down outside Deepcut church (for a movie only)

GET SURREY
By Henry Bodkin
October 29, 2013

Film crews were shooting scenes with Colin Firth and Samuel L Jackson outside a church in Surrey this week for upcoming blockbuster The Secret Service

An eagle-eyed resident watched as British heart throb Colin Firth was brutally gunned down by Samuel L Jackson outside a church in Deepcut this week. Paul Deach, Surrey Heath Borough Councillor for Mytchett and Deepcut, was going shopping with his daughter when he captured the shocking moment on camera.

Thankfully the violence was merely part of the new Hollywood blockbuster The Secret Service, which is partly being filmed in the garrison church , St Barbara's.


READ MORE HERE: http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/whats-on/film-tv/colin-firth-gunned-down-outside-6252793

Jim Broadbent, Ray Stevenson and Mehmet Kurtulus join “Big Game” Jalmari Helander's actioner begins lensing September 12

VARIETY
Diana Lodderhose
Reporter

Jim Broadbent, Ray Stevenson and Mehmet Kurtulus have been added to the cast of Jalmari Helander’s actioner “Big Game

Thesps will join previously announced Samuel L. Jackson and Onni Tommila.

“Big Game” tells the story of a nervous and shy 13-year old boy who must prove his manhood by spending a day and a night alone in the forest. That night, Air Force One is shot down by terrorists and the boy discovers the U.S. President in an escape pod and the two team up to survive.

In the pic, Jackson will star as the President while Tommila plays the part of the young boy.

Pic, a Finnish-German-U.K. co-production, is based on a story by Helander and Petri Jokiranta and will be shot on location from September 12 across Bavaria and at Bavaria Film Studios.


READ MORE HERE: http://variety.com/2013/film/international/jim-broadbent-ray-stevenson-and-mehmet-kurtulus-join-big-game-1200607432/