BEN HARDY ESQUIRE ITALY, JANUARY 2019 The Next Look Abito dal taglio asimmetrico Ben Hardy by Roberto Patella e maglia lineare: tutto Dior. Styling, Fabio Immediato. Prima gli X-Men. Ora Bohemian Rhapsody. In comune, un regista e una passione. Quella di Ben Hardy, pseudonimo dell'attore e modello britannico Ben Jones, per la musica e il grande schermo. Alla fine dello scorso anno è infatti balzato agli onori delle cronache per aver interpretato Roger Taylor, iconico batterista dei Queen, nel film biopic sul gruppo rock di Bryan Singer. Coronamento di un percorso iniziato frequentando la Gryphon School di Sherborne. La sua carriera di attore inizia nel 2012, partecipando all'opera teatrale scritta da David Hare The Judas Kiss, nel ruolo di Arthur Wellesley, membro del personale di un hotel. All'Hampstead Theatre di Londra inizia così un viaggio che lo porterà in tour per tutto il Regno Unito. Ha interpretato Warren Worthington III nel film del 2016 X-Men – Apocalisse, sempre Gennaio 2019 155 The Next Look Titolo Articolo T-shirt, AMI Alexandre Maglia con logo, pullover e pantalone: tutto Prada. Mattiussi; pantaloni, Bally; Stylist assistant, Tiziano Viticchie; Photo assistant, cintura, Dolce&Gabbana. Oscar Eckel. Production, Werther Milano. Grooming, Nathalie Eleni. diretto da Singer. «Avevo già lavorato con Bryan all’epoca di X-Men, così, quando ho saputo che era coinvolto nella realizzazione di Bohemian Rhapsody, gli ho inviato un'email nella quale gli chiedevo: "Posso partecipare?”. Solo che Bryan aveva delle riserve su di me, gli serviva un attore che sapesse suonare per davvero la batteria. Nelle riprese ravvicinate è facile ingannare lo spettatore, ma nei campi lunghi si nota subito se uno strumento viene suonato fuori sincrono. Così gli ho scritto che non c’era alcun problema perché io la batteria sapevo suonarla. Solo che non era vero! Ne ho comprata una, ho ingaggiato un insegnante e ho lavorato per dieci ore al giorno. Volevo che il lavoro fosse fatto bene. Chi non desidera interpretare una rockstar al cinema?». Angelo Ruggeri 156 Esquire – N°2 Gennaio 2019 157 DAMAN.CO.ID OCT/NOV 2018 IDR 60,000 S$10 US$18 BOHEMIANBEN HARDY RHAPSODY BY MITCHELL NGUYEN Mc CORMACK CAMERON CUFFE - GREY DAMON - ARIO BAYU - MENTARI DE MARELLE Outfit by Louis Vuitton Ben Hardy tells us what’s it like to play a legendary musician in the upcoming box office hit “Bohemian Rhapsody” PHOTOGRAPHY MITCHELL NGUYEN McCORMACK STYLING TY HEADLEE Outfit by Tommy Hilfiger Outfit by Michael Kors rums can be Ben Hardy: I’m good, thanks. BH: Obviously, I could never be as quite tricky Happy to be here. skilled a drummer as Roger Taylor to portray in the limited timeframe we had, in movies. DA: So, obviously, we’re looking and most likely could never be With other forward to see you in “Bohemian as good as him! But I wanted to instruments, Rhapsody” this November. do my best to pay tribute to the the movie can “cheat” a bit, mainly Personally, what do you see as man’s talent. So, basically I just Dthrough clever camera angles. the best part of the movie? spent all day, every day locked But it’s all too easy for viewers BH: The best part? That’s a tricky away with my drum kit practicing to notice when the drummer— one. Push comes to shove, I’d say over and over. I also had a great or rather, the actor playing the Live Aid performance in 1985 instructor in Brett Morgan. There’s the drummer—is off by even a may be one of the strongest parts no way I could have learnt to play single beat. So, the pressure was of the movie. so quickly without his help. definitely on for English actor Ben Hardy, who was selected to DA: By the way, can you also tell DA: On that note, what else did play Roger Taylor, drummer for us how you were initially cast as you have to do, train in or learn legendary rock band Queen, in the Roger Taylor? in a hurry in order to portray long awaited biopic “Bohemian BH: Yeah, sure. I actually really Queen’s legendary drummer? Rhapsody,” which covers the rise chased this one. I’d worked with BH: Ah, man, I just spent days of the band up to the famous Live director Bryan Singer before on YouTube watching videos Aid concert of 1985. on “X-Men: Apocalypse” and of him to learn as many of the Of course, Hardy is no stranger when I heard he was going to be characteristics, mannerisms, to challenging roles or undergoing directing “Bohemian Rhapsody” I vocal qualities and idiosyncrasies special training in preparation reached out to him to see if he’d I could find. I didn’t want to be for a role. Back in 2015, for consider me for Roger Taylor. He doing an impression of Rog in this instance, when he was cast as was open to the idea but had film but I wanted to give as much the winged mutant Angel in reservations based on the fact of an essence of him as I could. “X-Men: Apocalypse,” he took up he wanted the actor playing Rog indoor skydiving to get a better to be able to play the drums. I DA: And we also have to ask: appreciation of how the human wanted the part so bad I told him What was it like playing as Roger body would look like in flight. I could play. He asked me to put Taylor while the man was also on Other than that, Hardy can a song in video so he could see. I board as producer? also count being a series regular panicked, went away and bought BH: Initially, I was sh-t scared to of “EastEnders” and joining the the cheapest drum kit I could find meet Roger and for him to be on all-star cast of “Only the Brave” and a local instructor to help me set and see my portrayal of him. among his accomplishments. That learn the song. Sent the video to But he was so supportive from being said, it’s probably safe to Bryan. And a couple of auditions the outset that it was really great assume that his appearance in later and yeah, here we are. to have him around. And learn as “Bohemian Rhapsody” will be the much as I could from him on all one to rock audiences all around DA: We’ve also heard that you things Roger. the world for years to come. had to take an intense crash course in drumming to secure DA: What was the biggest DAMAN: Hi, Ben. Awesome to the role. How did you manage to challenge you faced while working have you with us. How are you? pull it off? on “Bohemian Rhapsody”? “IF YOU CAN’T BE HAPPY WITH YOUR CURRENT SITUATION YOU PROBABLY WON’T BE HAPPY EVEN IF YOUR FIVE YEAR PLAN WORKS OUT” Outfit by Berluti Outfit by Michael Kors BH: Biggest challenge would DA: And still on a personal note, DA: Of course, you’re no stranger probably be learning the 13/14 were you a Queen fan before to the genre, having made your songs on the drums. you were involved in “Bohemian big screen debut as Angel in Rhapsody”? And either way, has 2016’s “X-Men: Apocalypse.” DA: It would be a massive it changed your appreciation for Today, what do you remember understatement that Queen has or view of the band in any way? the most about being part of the a strong history and an equally Changed your personal favorite “X-Men” universe? strong fan base. Do you feel that song, perhaps... BH: I remember struggling to go this adds extra pressure on you— BH: Queen has always been to the bathroom in my super suit as well as the entire cast and top five or 10 for me. But after and having a hell of a lot of fun crew—to really get things right spending months listening to with those guys. for “Bohemian Rhapsody”? their albums on repeat they are BH: Their fan base is huge. And definitely one of my favorite DA: Is the superhero genre yeah, sure, that does apply some bands. Aside from the widely something you might want to pressure. And obviously we want known anthemic hits they have so revisit some day? Or, to put in a the fans to love this movie. But many amazing album tracks that more poetic way: Will we ever you will never please everyone I’d never heard before. “White see you put on spandex and— so all we can do is present our Queen (As it Began)” might be maybe—a cape once again? interpretation and do the best we my personal favorite. BH: [Laughs] Who knows? I do can to pay tribute and do justice love spandex. to Queen. DA: Beyond “Bohemian Rhapsody,” you’ve also been DA: You started your career in DA: On the flip side, in what ways drafted into the cast of “Six theater, moved on to TV and now would you say can “Bohemian Underground.” Can you tell us star in Hollywood blockbusters. Rhapsody” appeal to moviegoers how this came about? This might sound a bit clichéd, in general? Especially those who BH: I’ve been a fan of Michael but what would you say is the key might not be all that familiar with Bay’s movies since I was in my to your success so far? Queen yet..