For Kenneth Branagh, Josh Gad turned into Mulch Diggums, the dwarf, shaggy and kleptomaniac of the universe of Artemis Fowl. During an interview by video conference, the actor told us a more about his participation in the film.
In his adaptation of Artemis Fowl, as well as Kenneth Branagh does not bother with problems of size to the dwarf Mulch Diggums. The kleptomaniac created by author Eoin Colfer here becomes a dwarf giant rather than a dwarf short. For the play, it is Josh Gad (the original voice of Olaf in the Snow Queen, but as Lefou in the remake of beauty and The Beast), who is in blackface dwarf hidden behind a huge leather jacket, and beard, shaggy. In an interview for Linternaute.com Josh Gad comes on, this is Artemis Fowl a saga so special. We also entrust her happiness to the idea of working again with Kenneth Branagh and Judi Dench, whom he had already had the opportunity of working with him in The Crime of the Orient Express. He shares with us all the admiration he has for them.
How have you integrated the project Artemis Fowl ?
I will never refuse a proposal of Sir Kenneth Branagh ! I had just finished the Crime of The Orient Express, it was a great experience to work with one of my heroes. A few months later, I received a phone call to tell me that Ken wanted to invite me on his new project : Artemis Fowl. Of course, as soon as I get a phone call from Ken, I’m already leaving but I wanted to familiarize myself with the world, created by Eoin Colfer. I opened the books and have not been able to do otherwise than to devour them. I was impressed by the idea that the character of Artemis Fowl is almost the antithesis of Harry Potter. He is a master of the crime 12 years of age, a child who is more intelligent than any adult and any creature of this universe the magical, the fairies, the goblins, the dwarves… I thought It was so different, so original. In addition to all that, I fell madly in love with the character of Mulch Diggums, the kind of loner who was always getting into trouble until you become an ally of Artemis Fowl, or at least that is what one believes.
In the film, Mulch is mostly used by the narrator to present us with the universe of Artemis Fowl. You have so little scenes with the other actors. Have you found it difficult ?
Yes, because the most interesting aspect of the game actor is to react to the game of the other. That said, all the scenes where I’m sort of the narrator are played in the face of Ken, who plays the role of the investigator, which makes me wonder. So I always had this chance to have fun by turning those scenes with someone brilliant. But nothing replaces the joy to shoot a scene with Ferdia [Shaw, Artemis Fowl] or Lara [McDonnel, Holly Short], Nonso [Anozie, Butler] and particularly Dame Judi Dench, which I am absolutely in love with it.
Have you had the opportunity to improvise on the set ?
I’ve had tons ! This is interesting because this is the exact opposite of my experience on the Crime of the Orient-Express where we had an incredible story of Michael Green, who was to advance the story and there was not really improvisation. I have, therefore, had no need to improvise. On the shooting of Artemis, I quickly realized that Ken was hosting not only the improvisation with open arms but also encouraged. It is always a joy for me to hear it because it allows me to propose things that are obviously inspired by the scenario, but that take him further. Once one has recorded what is written on the page, it is always interesting to change it up a bit.
Have you been able to keep a prop from the movie ?
No ! And also it annoys me to think about there. But it’s funny that you asked me that because I’m so innocent that I’m always afraid to ask. I would have had to keep the damn jacket. I think I am going to ask them to send me the jacket Mulch Diggums.
This film allowed you to work again with Kenneth Branagh and Judi Dench. How it is to work with them ?
