He’s the star of Alejandro Inarritu’s new film, The Revenant.
Will Poulter talks survival films, long takes and nerve-wracking auditions… You must be thrilled with it.
Ad content continues below
I think we all feel immensely proud of it, for sure.
From that battle sequence near the opening, it totally immerses you.
I think thats the most rewarding thing from speaking to people whove watched it.
They feel the immersion.
Leo [DiCaprio] described the camerawork brilliantly.
Its a different experience to anything Ive seen before.
How was it for you as an actor?
Was it similarly immersive?
I love the teamwork, the camaraderie that comes with it.
But this was a different level to anything Id experienced before.
That sounds quite frustrating.
Or was it exciting, that pace of having to do things?
Dyou know what it is?
It could be very frustrating, because it was really hard.
You feel like you know the basic principles of filmmaking, I guess.
I knew how to hit my mark, I knew how to find my light, just about.
But this was a whole different ball game.
It could be frustrating, but it was also gripping it was really challenging, and that was satisfying.
To feel that busy and to feel that consumed by your work was great.
Every character was really well drawn, but I thought your character was interesting.
Hes an artistic character, isnt he?
I hadnt actually thought of it like that.
I thought about him being sensitive.
In terms of morality, this film doesnt deal with absolutes anyway, does it?
Even Tom Hardys character, Fitzgerald, isnt an absolute black-and-white villain.
He does have his reasons for doing what he does even if they are selfish.
And I think that highlights one of the greatest strengths of Alejandro as a director.
What makes him incredibly special is, his characters arent black and white.
Alejandros interested in humans, and he shows them for all their complexities and their imperfections.
Even Pixar have made one, kind of, withThe Good Dinosaur.That has a survival element to it.
This little dinosaur gets washed down the river and he has to find his way back home again.
LikeThe Martianwas a survival film.Gravitywas, too.
Ah, yeah, yeah!
Weve stabilised our way of living with technology, etc, etc.
Yeah, I wonder if that is the case.
It would make sense, I suppose.
Movies arent often made that way anymore.
And I genuinely think it translates.
What was it like shooting the scene with Tom Hardy where he talks about God being a squirrel?
I thought that was a fantastic moment.
It was very well performed by Tom.
[Laughs] I remember burning my lip.
But its a great scene, and it provides an insight into the complexity of Bridger and Fitzgeralds relationship.
We enjoyed that, that dynamic.
I wondered if auditioning for this film was equally tough.
I dont know how many people auditioned for the role, or where I was placed necessarily.
It was great to separate the two things.
I hate going into the audition room.
I find it a nerve-shredding experience.
I was grateful to Alejandro for doing it a different way, you know?
So what have you got next, then?
Yeah, I just finishedWar Machinein Abu Dhabi, which was an amazing experience.
I felt lucky to represent the Marines and to work with that cast.
Are you still playing Pennywise inIt?
[Thoughtfully] I dont know.
But my involvement remains to be seen.
Will Poulter, thank you very much.
The Revenantis out in UK cinemas on the 15th January.
