Out on Apple TV+ today, Black Bird starring Taron Egerton tells the story of Jimmy Keene, a convicted drug dealer convinced into befriending suspected serial killer Larry Hall (played by Paul Walter Hauser).
Keene must risk his life and try to coerce Hall to confess to his crimes and reveal the locations of his victims. If by some miracle Keene is successful, he will have gained his freedom from prison.
Egerton has played a wide variety of characters throughout his career and it turns out there’s a reason for that. “I really crave variety from my professional life because I think that when you are doing things that you haven’t necessarily done before, it kind of puts you in a creative space where you’re not taking anything for granted,” said Egerton.
Black Bird Interview: Taron Egerton
Getting Ready
Whether playing a secret service agent or a pop icon Egerton has been afraid to show different sides of himself stating that “I think that’s a good space to be in creatively, I was surprised that they thought I could do it but I felt like is a really good role for me to show an aspect of my nature that I haven’t shown before.”
Having to get in the mindset of someone playing nice with a suspected serial was just one aspect of his role, Egerton also had to get his body and speech just right for the role.
Black Bird: Taron Egerton
“I spent a lot of time building muscle, I wanted to be in shape for this role…I think there’s something about the character being a little bit vain (not the real guy but our version of him) that felt like he was a bit of a gym rat,” said Egerton.
“The preparation kind of really was about the physicality of this hyper-masculine guy and obviously I’m a Brit so I spend some time preparing with my great dialect coach to sound like a native Chicagoan,” he said proudly.
Working with a Legend
Starring as “Big” Jim Keene, Ray Liotta plays Egerton’s father in his last role before passing earlier this year. Egerton took a moment to speak about his time with Liotta and the kind man he grew to know.
“He really was a great guy, completely without sycophancy or sentimentality, he was straight-shooting kind of old school dude,” said Egerton. “I had a very very special experience working with him he was kind without being as I say sentimental or gushing and open in a true way.”
Black Bird: Ray Liotta, Taron Egerton
Egerton was touched by Liotta’s open and honest nature but also impressed by his mutual commitment to his role. “It was a beautifully written relationship, he and I recognized that and we both arrived with a mission to do a good job of depicting these two very loving but deeply flawed men,” said Egerton.
“He was committed and brilliant, it was a special relationship that we developed and I’m very sorry that we won’t be able to celebrate the release of the show together but boy is he good in the show.”
Be sure to check Black Bird this weekend on Apple TV+ and for all of your movie news be sure to follow BackstageOL on Twitter.
