EXCLUSIVE: Tom Hiddleston‘s latest movie is a sci-fi drama based on a Stephen King novella, following three chapters in the life of an ordinary man named Charles Krantz.
The Life of Chuck is an upbeat take on an “end of life as we know it” story, with the “make every moment count” ethos having an impact on The Avengers actor in real life.
“It’s something I think about a lot, perhaps more as I’ve got older, and I find it inspires [the] life energy in me,” Hiddleston, 44, tells 9honey Celebrity on the red carpet at the film’s SXSW London premiere.
READ MORE: After learning this about my dog, I’ll never look at him the same
“It inspires a kind of a courage and a curiosity that I think we need actually, especially when life gets tough as it does.
“I hope the film acknowledges that; that actually on the path of life we encounter hardship, loss, pain and grief and all of those things.
“Those things are real, but alongside those experiences are things like joy, and the joy we carry in our hearts is the love we shared with the people who raised us.
“We are worthy of it, and it’s very important as a force in our lives.”
And there’s plenty of joy indeed for Hiddleston and his fiancée Zawe Ashton, with the couple announcing at the premiere that they’re expecting their second child together.
READ MORE: Eminem shines spotlight on fans in documentary Stans
Joy is also what landed Hiddleston the role in the first place, with director Mike Flanagan seeing him “radiating joy” during a TV appearance.
“We were looking for someone to do the dance – the dance number in the story is pivotal – and I saw a video of Tom dancing on a late night talk show,” Flanagan tells 9honey Celebrity.
“What amazed me wasn’t the technical prowess of his dance, which was very good, it was that he was radiating joy while he did it.
“You could feel in every movement that he did, he was channelling joy, and it was contagious – and that is what Chuck needed to be.
READ MORE: Why Hugh Jackman skipped Broadway’s biggest night
“So that’s what made me convinced that there was no-one else for this but Tom.”
Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy star Chiwetel Ejiofor also felt in tune with the movie’s central theme.
“This film, to me, it’s a reminder to maintain that element of gratitude for everything,” he tells 9honey Celebrity on the red carpet.
“We can get so caught up in the day-to-day and just forget the bigger picture of how extraordinarily blessed we all are.”
The Oscar-nominee won hearts in the final rom-com in the Bridget Jones franchise as teacher Mr Walliker and in this movie, again plays a teacher in Marty Anderson.
“I hadn’t really put these two characters together in that way,” he laughs.
“I was excited that Marty’s an educator in this, and in Bridget Jones I was excited that Mr. Walliker is an educator because it’s an outsized influence in young people’s lives that can be extraordinarily positive.”
While Ejiofor enjoys playing a teacher, he admits that was never his plan B if acting hadn’t worked out for him.
“I didn’t actually [have another plan] – that’s the greatest enemy of Plan A, is Plan B.”
It marks the third time Flanagan is bringing one of King’s stories to the big screen and, he tells 9honey Celebrity, it was a special project for them both.
“It made me look back at moments of my life that I otherwise thought were ordinary and not paid enough attention to and reframed them for me,” he says.
“This story meant a lot to him too, and it was not a story I think he thought there was a high likelihood that people would want to try to adapt as a movie… and he’s very happy with the film, so I feel very lucky.”
The film’s writer and director adds that if the famed novellist was less than pleased, he’d let you know about it.
READ MORE: World’s most famous couple spotted at intimate backyard wedding
“He really doesn’t want to interfere with the filmmaker, and that is for better or worse, sometimes – if he doesn’t like what you did, he’s not shy about that either,” Flanagan tells 9honey Celebrity.
For Chuck’s character, dance is a big part of what brings him joy but Hiddleston says it should inspire others to do what makes them happy.
“It may be writing or running or painting or playing the piano,” he lists.
For a daily dose of 9honey, subscribe to our newsletter here.
“The film is about the beauty and the breadth that is contained inside the soul of every human being, and it’s about what we will remember and who we want to be with in the last days of our lives.
“So hold on to the people you love, hold on to the people who matter and do whatever it is that gives you joy, that creates joy, that transforms you into a force of joy, because it is actually a transformative and cathartic force in the world.”
The Life of Chuck will be released in Australian cinemas on August 21.
FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.