Tom Wilkinson is one of the most respected actors in the industry. Oscar-nominated for his roles in Michael Clayton and In the Bedroom, and the winner of an Emmy Award for playing Benjamin Franklin in “John Adams.” Now he’s back in American politics, playing the 36th President of the United States in Selma, Ava DuVernay’s impressive new motion picture about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Civil Rights marches in Selma, AL.
We talked to Tom Wilkinson over the phone about his preparations to play President Lyndon B. Johnson, and the trick to playing his character’s evolution: from being frustrated by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to expressing his full support. We also finally got to ask Tom Wilkinson about his roles in The Green Hornet, playing the father of the hero, and in The Lone Ranger, playing the arch-nemesis of The Green Hornet’s great uncle. (What’s that? You didn’t know those heroes were related? Well, Tom Wilkinson didn’t either!)
CraveOnline: I was talking to Tim Roth, and he said he didn’t have a lot of time between casting and when the film began. Was that true for you as well? Was it quick or did you have a lot of time to prepare?
Tom Wilkinson: I had a fair amount of time to [prepare] but yeah, it wasn’t… Yeah, I had a few weeks.
What did you look at from Lyndon B. Johnson? Did you do much research beyond watching the old newsreels?
That’s all I did was really watch a couple of interviews that he gave. I just wanted to get a sense of him. I knew I wasn’t going to be attempting any sort of impersonation, but I just wanted to get a sense of the guy so I could have that sort of intuitive sense that what you’re doing is sort of in the right area. I know that sounds jargony and actorish but that’s as good as I can get.
“One of the things that Martin Luther King clearly knew what he was going to be, which was a thorn in the president’s side.”
What did you get out of that? What was the impression you got of who he was as a man as opposed to just a political figure?
Well, I just thought that there was an element of thoughtfulness about him which was quite interesting. And with all the knowledge of the script, you knew that he was constantly, like all politicians I suppose, like all presidents, constantly weighing up their options at any given situation. All these negotiations with Martin Luther King were sort of based on what’s possible and what he can get away with and what he can’t get away with. So there was that sort of sense of weighing his words quite carefully.
It struck me as an interesting dynamic to have with a figure like Martin Luther King. It’s hard to imagine, looking back, someone just being exasperated by him, like, “Ugh, this King guy. Ridiculous.” That must have been an interesting dynamic to play with David Oyelowo.
Yeah, well, that was one of the elements. When he says to him at one point, he says, “Look, you’re an activist and I’m a president. You’ve got one big issue and I’ve got a hundred issues.” The sort of irritant thorn in your [side]. I mean, one of the things that Martin Luther King clearly knew what he was going to be, which was a thorn in the president’s side. The thing was, never let up. That was presumably his sense of commitment.
