Bill Nighy, at 76, is eyeing a late-career pivot into action roles, having starred in the new Amazon Prime series Ride or Die. The actor, known for roles in Love Actually and Pirates of the Caribbean, told Metro he wants a 'very belated action career' after playing a hitman in the 2010 film Wild Target and now The Director, head of an assassination agency, in Ride or Die.
Bill Nighy on playing James Bond's grandfather
When asked about his earlier quip that he could play James Bond's grandfather, Nighy smiled. 'It is a kind of introduction to that world, to the world of romantic action comedy,' he said. 'I'm in the right world. I'm in the genre world. I like being in the genre world.' He added that such films are 'beloved' and he enjoys being part of them.
Ride or Die: A rip-roaring rollercoaster
Ride or Die follows Hannah Waddingham and Octavia Spencer as best friends Judith and Debbie. Judith is a dangerous assassin who has hidden her profession for 20 years; Debbie is the wife of an MP who has sacrificed her own ambitions. They go on the run when Judith fails to assassinate criminal Billy Donovan (Ed Skrein), while The Director (Nighy) tracks them with lethal precision. Nighy described his character as 'quiet, collected, steely, merciless,' noting that the script's stage directions were very specific.
No research needed, says Nighy
Asked about research for the role, Nighy was refreshingly honest: 'You get to my age, you can answer those questions honestly, and you don't have to bulls**t. Any information I require is actually in the script.' He also revealed he has 'never knowingly been in character' in his life, calling the concept 'mythical to a large degree' in his experience.
Nighy embraces being typecast
Despite his diverse roles—from a vampire to a squid man—Nighy said he would love to be typecast. 'People often say, “I don’t want to get typecast.” I’d love to be typecast,' he said, adding it would be great to 'just walk and talk and not have to put on a battle skirt or put on 250 dots on your face.'
