NEED TO KNOW MAKING MISCHIEF

2 Littlefinger has feelings, too Aidan Gillen lifts the veil on Game of Thrones’ devious troublemaker

LOVE TO HATE HIM? HATE think he is quite appealing yourself for liking him? Petyr though, and charming, which is Baelish (a.k.a Litt lefi nger) moves part of how he gets his way. He like a Machiavellian seems to do OK. hummingbird across Game of Thrones’ storylines, duping both He says, “The climb is all there is.” villains and heroes. But is it all How did he become that guy? because of a broken heart? We I looked for basic pointers, and chatt ed with Irish actor Aidan the obvious ones were unrequited Gillen about his character’s wily love [for Catelyn Stark] and the ways.—BILL KEARNEY humiliation he receives at the hands of Brandon Stark—he Petyr Baelish’s hair is always wouldn’t even kill Litt lefi nger in a perfect. Why? duel. The humiliation drives the Baelish reminded me of a British character: “I will never let people politician I was quite intrigued by, do that to me again. I will do Peter Mandelson, also known as whatever I can, however I can, to the Prince of Darkness. So not let that happen.” I brought in a photograph of him and presented it to the head of Do you think he still has the makeup and hair, and the capability to fall in love? producers had to come in and sign He has a wall up. It doesn’t mean off , allowing me to do it. he can’t. If there was anything that would bring him down it What’s the end goal behind all of would be an emotional, human Baelish’s conniving? weakness like that, as opposed to I’ve always played the character a mistake in his chicanery. as someone who has the long game. Of course, you don’t What other characters are you actually know where it’s going to rooting for? go for sure. When we started off I’m quite charmed by Cersei. in the show, the last two or three Arya is a favorite of mine—I root books hadn’t been writt en. for her. And Sansa, obviously.

How does he cozy up to those in You’ve said before that Littlefinger power so well? has a “cat nature.” What about you? To make himself appear to be I’m more of a dog man—usually “Baelish reminded the guy they need to sort out their strays, you know? If they followed me of a politician problems is how he works; it’s like you home. Cats, I don’t really a second nature. It’s pathological, understand them completely, but known as the Prince you know? those are cats for you. of Darkness” Are there ever moments wheree you’re like, “Man this guy’s a jerk?”rk?” Littlefinger’sLi Sometimes, for sure, but I haveve ffeelingsee toward Catelyn’s to back those thoughts away. I ddoo XXXXXXXX dadaughter,u Sansa StStark, may or may not 18 – AMERICAN WAY bbe genuine

018-019_AW_NTKAidanGillenBK.indd 18 12/06/2017 08:45 3 Spider-Man is going overboard The superhero rescues an iconic boat in his latest adventure

It took a web of effects experts to recreate a Staten Island Ferry—and then rip it apart—for one of Spider-Man: Homecoming’s most jaw- dropping moments. “We thought it would be nice to slice it longitudinally,” sayss production designer Oliver Scholl. The effects gurus for Homecoming (out July 7) worked on both an actual Staten Island Ferry in New York and a replica Tom Holland’s erected on a set in teenaged Atlanta. The faux Spidey battles Michael ferry weighed Keaton’s bad more than 200 guy Vulture in tons and featured Homecoming 40,000 gallons of water flowing through it for each take. The scene was originally conceived aboard a container ship, but Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige suggested using one of the beloved New York City boats instead. The rest is now LEFT TO RIGHT: HELEN SLOAN/HBO; MATT HOLYOAK/CAMERA PRESS; COURTESY OF COLUMBIA PICTURES OF COLUMBIA PRESS; COURTESY HOLYOAK/CAMERA MATT HELEN SLOAN/HBO; RIGHT: LEFT TO XXXXXXXX superhero movie history.

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