In Hollywood, Mads Mikkelsen is often limited to playing scheming antagonists, courtesy of his Danish accent and his excellence in Casino Royale and Hannibal. But this isn’t always the case when the actor returns home to film in his native Denmark, where he is more inclined to tackle a flawed protagonist than scary psychopaths, with one example being Another Round.
However, the actor has no intentions of returning to the American remake, which will helmed by Chris Rock and produced by Leonardo DiCaprio, for one particular reason.
Mads Mikkelsen Isn’t Interested in Doing the Same Thing Again
Previously worked together on the thriller The Hunt, Thomas Vinterberg and Mads Mikkelson joined forces again for the 2020 tragicomedy Another Round, which scored an Oscar for Best Internation Picture. But with an American remake of the Danish classic on sight, neither Mikkelson nor Vinterberg has any interest in helming the film, which is set to be directed by Chris Rock. Mikkelson went into detail as to why he isn’t reprising the role, stressing that the actor isn’t interested in doing the same thing again and is happy to let someone new handle the story.
Mekkelsen said (via IndieWire):
“I’m glad not to be part of it.This is what we did. Unlike theater, where you can do it one year and do it again a couple years later, the little moments we do in films are happening right here and now — something interesting your fellow actor brings on set that day. I would probably want to change these scenes again. It can never happen. It’s a tricky thing to replay the same character. It’s better off in someone else’s hands.”
But it isn’t only project that the Bond villain is happy to let go of, as Mekkelson expressed he is ready to play characters that aren’t villains in Hollywood if the fans are up for it.
Mads Mikkelsen Is Happy to Move Past Villainous Gigs if the Fans Are up for It
While Mads Mikkelsen expressed he has no problem playing villainous gigs as he is happy to take antagonistic parts in big franchises like Indiana Jones and Marvel, he is open to mixing things up a little. Considering he had already tackled a few American roles that aren’t inherently evil, the actor joked that if audiences are ready to look past his Danish accent, he’d be down to tackle “an everyday-man character”.
“I’ve had a few non-villainous American roles that tend to be the baddies; I did an American film called ‘Arctic.’ He’s not a villain, so I’m grateful for that. Maybe times will turn a little, and people are watching a little more of the Danish stuff. Maybe they’ll accept a funny accent for an everyday-man character.”
Although it’s understandable why Mikkelsen is letting the American retelling of the story pass, it’ll be interesting to see what direction the project will take in the absence of Mikkelsen and Vinterberg.
Another Round is available to rent on Apple TV.
