So last week THN got some face time with Danny Dyer to talk about his latest movie AGE OF HEROES (see what Dyer had to say about that here). However, never one to rest on our laurels we also took the opportunity to probe a little further into planet Dyer and talked future projects, fatherhood and UFOs.
Dyer has a reputation that precedes him – one that consists of boozing, brawling and bad-mouthery. Though Dyer illustrated the last of these in spades THN found the man himself rather more composed and well balanced. Perhaps he was on the charm offensive to better sell his movie or was re-badging himself after last years Zoo-gate scandal (where Dyer informed a reader to get even with his ex-girlfriend by slashing her face so that no one else would want her) sound advice…if your Leatherface! Either way he darn near charmed the pants us.
Dyer has got a few interesting projects due for release this year one called FREERUNNER which sounds like a cross Speed and Crank tied together with a smidge of Par-Kour, but THN noticed a couple of more off-beat sounding projects and so just had to ask.
THN: You’ve got a project called 7LIVES coming up –can you tell us a little bit about it?
DD: It’s a movie thats taken so long to finish – I filmed a third of it three and a half years ago and we finished the rest of it last year so it was a really strange process and a very odd idea – its quite arty and I don’t know which way it going to go whether people will get it or not.
7LIVES is about a guy whose on his way home to tell his partner he’s having an affair when he is mugged and beaten within an inch of his life – whist on his death bed Dyer’s character has surreal visions of how his life could’ve been in 7 different scenarios. THN were impressed by the potential of seeing Dyer cutting his teeth on 7 different roles within one film and intrigued by a more arty approach as opposed to Dyer’s usual smash and grab roles.
DD: It’s a brave film to do – you’ve [the viewer] gotta be on the ball you can’t walk out the room for two seconds because you’ll miss it – It’s a first time director, I wish him all the best – but fuck me it’s a it’s a mad idea – it’s a weird film, it jumps all over the place but I’m yet to see a final cut of it so maybe its not as hard to follow as I think.
THN: Your also attached to a movie called GUNS OF THE DEAD, but theres not much else listed other than the title, by the sounds of it are we about to see Danny Dyer in a Cowboy movie?
DD: Yeah it’s a Western… but then it turns in to a horror – a bit like From Dusk Till Dawn. It starts off about the gold rush but then turns into some mad zombie fucking film – this was a while ago that I agreed to do it but because of the funds and the fact that at the moment everyone is on they’re fucking arse – no-one has put the money forward for it – Val Kilmer was attached and then he dropped out so they put it back again – but fingers crossed its still gonna happen.
Fingers crossed indeed, from this little plot tease THN are excited not only by the premise but is also gagging to see Dyer in full cowboy regalia and to see how a cockney accent is going to go down alongside a bunch of prospecting zombies who talk like Yosemite Sam.
Readers may not be aware but Mr Dyer is a real family man, having been with his better half Joanne Mas since the age of 14 and has two daughters. The eldest of these is just approaching 15. Seeing as Dyer’s movies are fairly violent and filled with coarse language – we wondered whether he had shown his offspring any of his films.
DD: I’m not fucking stupid – I’ve just gotta look back and think how I was at that age. She’s nearly 15 and she’s very aware of sex and what goes on. I know that when she goes up the O2 and says she’s gonna go watch a film with Justin Beiber in I know she’s sneaking in to watch Insidious I’m not fucking stupid. This is life though!
THN: And has she seen many of your films?
DD: I’ve allowed her to watch some of my movies – Obviously some things I’ll have to cover her eyes or fast forward a few bits.
If your not schooled in Dyer’s back catalogue he’s got a couple of masturbation scenes and at this point in the interview THN couldn’t help smile as we imagined young Dani Dyer (yes his eldest daughter’s name is Dani) may well have caught a glimpse of her dad jacking off in fast forward through a gap in his clammy fingers press against her face…ew! Try to remain professional though…
DD: Its always been a big part of my life and I’ve always bought on sets with me and she’s come away with me and I got her a part in a movie I did called Doghouse – she played a zombie in it. She’s actually started acting herself now – she’s really talented.
During our preparation for our meeting with Dyer we cast our eyes over his back catalogue – and were blown away by how hardworking the man is we also noticed a little gem called STRAIGHTHEADS in which Dyer co-stars with Gillian Anderson and shares a very down and dirty sex scene in the woods (Bam!). THN had to ask what it was like to work with the TV/Flim and Sex icon:
DD: Yeah fuck me – that was a massive moment for me – I had to audition for it as well, it was me and two other actors and going in the room and realising that Gillian was going to pick the actor she wanted to work with. It was a great moment when I got offered that – I learned a lot from her – I think people underestimate her a little bit – or don’t realise how fucking brilliant she is
THN: She’s pretty sexy too though eh?
DD: Shes great, she’s fucking beautiful – shes not working that much at the moment but she is a revelation to me and I loved every minute of working with her. Dark fucking film for me – good part.
STRAIGHTHEADS is a great Dyer movie and one we’d recommend, Dyer plays a very submissive, cowardly role which is a nice break from the rest of his movies.
We also encountered a BBC documentary entitled ‘Danny Dyer: I believe in UFOs’ a poorly made documentary that is about as scientific as Nuts magazine – however it’s really sweet to see Dyer putting himself out there and showing a more innocent and gleeful side.
DD: The UFO thing – theres definitely something going on the show probably didn’t do it justice. But I love the idea of it – for sure!
Finally THN asked Dyer about his plans for the future
DD: It’s hard, you can never really have a game plan – I always felt blessed that I’m working because it’s a tough business – one minute your flavour of the month and the next your not. I’d like to do a real quality series, I was watching the re-runs of the first series of E.R. – I’d love to play a surgeon or something like that something completely different. It’s something that’s a complete blag as an actor, playing someone as skilled as that and being able to sell that part even though you dunno what the fuck is coming out of your mouth – just saying lines with so much conviction that people will believe in it. That fascinates me being able to do that.
THN: And any plans to move out to America?
DD: I’m definitely gonna go out there and have a crack – before I get too old and fucked. Never say never, who knows, all you need is one film to go over there and be a hit and your talk of the town and it makes it a lot easier – It fascinates me the work – but its so far away from home – to go out there and live there and be part of that community – it’s a big ask.
After our time with Dyer THN has a lot of respect for the man who more often than not is treated with a fair degree of movie snobbery. Sure his movies always have a fairly half-baked feel, but the mans a grafter – working hard to do what he wants to do. There are a few gems in his back catalogue and a few interesting projects on the horizon. THN wishes Dyer the best of luck in future and looks forward to catching up with the Canning Town Cockney in the near future.
A BA in Media & an Art MA doesn’t get you much in today’s world – what it does give you however is a butt-load of time to watch a heck of a lot of movies and engage in extensive (if not pointless) cinematic chitter chatter. Movies and pop-culture have always been at the forefront of Joe’s interest who has been writing for THN since 2009. With self-aggrandised areas of expertise including 1970s New Hollywood, The Coen Brothers, Sci-Fi and Adam Sandler, Joe’s voyeuristic habits rebound between Cinematic Classics and Hollywood ephemera, a potent mix at once impressively comprehensive and shamelessly low-brow.
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