Following his acting debut with the 1996 Danish crime thriller Pusher, Mads Mikkelsen initially gained Hollywood recognition as one of the most iconic Bond villains in the 2006 film Casino Royale. The actor has since starred in the acclaimed NBC psychological thriller Hannibal along with some of the biggest franchises, including MCU, Star Wars, and Harry Potter. However, he has also been outspoken about certain aspects of the industry that he finds displeasing.
Mikkelsen once again highlighted these issues in his recent interview with Collider, as he shared his experience working on the Oscar-Contender, The Promised Land.
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Mads Mikkelsen’s Insight on Hollywood And Danish Cinema
Mads Mikkelsen’s 2023 epic historical drama The Promised Land has been shortlisted for the Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards. Directed by Nikolaj Arcel, the movie follows the journey of war hero Capt. Ludvig Kahlen as he endeavors to cultivate a seemingly inhospitable land.
As he shared his approach to portraying the character in the movie in a recent interview, the actor also highlighted a recurring issue he faced in his Hollywood journey. He explained how in “American films,” the script is usually finalized before he gets involved, and his role is primarily to deliver the lines that are written for him.
“It’s written, it’s always done,” he said before adding, “Say the words, and don’t knock over the furniture.” In contrast, Mikkelsen describes a more collaborative process in Danish cinema as he explains his involvement in the story and character development.
“Here in Denmark, it’s a different thing. I’m invited in when the story is almost done, and then we start talking, and we develop. They do listen to me, and I can have some input, and sometimes they say, ‘Well, that’s a bad idea,’ but I will insist, and we can go back and forth.”
Mikkelsen has been working in both Danish and Hollywood movies. However, the actor has expressed his desire to return to Danish cinema in an earlier interview, emphasizing the creative and collaborative atmosphere where he commenced his career.
Mads Mikkelsen Wants to Do More Danish Movies
Despite solidifying his career on the international stage, Mikkelsen continued to thrive in Danish films, as he went on to star in acclaimed movies like The Hunt and A Royal Affair. The Promised Land marked Mads Mikkelsen’s return to Danish cinema after the 2020 films Riders of Justice and Another Round.
And the actor has shared that he wants to continue doing more Danish movies, as he expressed his wish to return to where he started his acting journey. “But more and more, it becomes clear to me that I also need to go back [to Danish cinema],” he shared in a recent interview with The Wrap.
“It’s where I started, where my friends are, and there’s a difference in the way of working that I need to be part of in order to go out with extra energy and do the other things,” the actor shared, highlighting a strong connection to his roots and the collaborative and intimate process that aligns with his artistic identity.
