Aaron Taylor-Johnson Opens Up About Challenging Villain Role That Earned Him a Golden Globe

Aaron Taylor-Johnson has rapidly gained prominence in the film industry, with a series of performances over the past decade helping to elevate his profile. While he remains widely recognized for his portrayal in Kick-Ass (2010) and its sequel, his involvement in the 2014 blockbuster Godzilla, which is a defining entry in Legendary’s MonsterVerse, further solidified his reputation.

In recent years, Taylor-Johnson’s filmography has expanded to include titles such as Tenet (2020), The King’s Man (2021), Bullet Train (2022), and upcoming projects like The Fall Guy (2024) and Nosferatu (2024). Today, he has emerged as a leading candidate to portray the iconic role of James Bond. However, a significant highlight of his career came in 2016 when he took on the challenging role of a psychopathic serial killer.

Reflecting on Nocturnal Animals

Insight from the Actor on His Villainous Role

Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Ray Marcus in Nocturnal Animals

In a recent discussion, Taylor-Johnson opened up about his experience portraying Ray Marcus in Nocturnal Animals, revealing his initial hesitations about the role. Directed by Tom Ford, this crime thriller features Amy Adams as Susan Morrow, an art gallery owner grappling with memories of her ex-husband’s unsettling novel. The character Ray is pivotal, often driving the film’s most suspenseful moments, despite the project’s mixed box office reception. Nevertheless, Taylor-Johnson’s performance earned him a prestigious Golden Globe award.

During a candid interview with The Guardian, Taylor-Johnson reflected on the complexities of taking on such a malevolent character. He initially doubted his suitability for the role, stating that Ray was so vile he couldn’t find a way to connect with him. However, Ford’s insights about Ray’s charismatic traits ultimately swayed Taylor-Johnson towards embracing the challenge:

I had a real issue taking on that role. I found it really, really difficult. I couldn’t understand why Tom [Ford] – who I knew, sort of, from dinner parties here and there – wanted me to play a serial-killer rapist. My feeling was: I can’t. I don’t see a way in here. I don’t even know what you want me to do. I was so out of my depth. Tom’s whole thing was: “I just feel like this character should have so much charisma. That’s what’s unpredictable about him.”

It’s more shocking that way. Ray is quite a fresh-faced, charming-looking individual. But Tom wanted him to be weird and freaky as well. Tom expects perfection, so I just felt: I cannot fail this guy. I went down a whole rabbit hole of serial killers: Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, Richard Ramirez. With Bundy, one of the big things is that he had charisma and charm. I took pieces from lots of different places. And I remember giving Tom a range of different things. It was definitely a life lesson for just being a little bit outside your comfort zone and putting the hard work in. What came out was something unique and different.

Our Perspective on Taylor-Johnson’s Role in Nocturnal Animals

Ray: A Standout Performance

Aaron Taylor-Johnson portraying Ray Marcus in Nocturnal Animals

Nocturnal Animals currently holds an impressive critic score of 74% on Rotten Tomatoes, a testament to its stylish direction and gripping moments of tension. While it may fall short emotionally for some viewers, Taylor-Johnson’s performance remains a significant highlight, showcasing his versatility beyond heroic roles. This suggests that he could effectively reprise villainous characters in the future, reinforcing his range as an actor in various genres.

For further insights, see the complete interview in The Guardian.

Source: Screen Rant