Jeremy plays legendary fairytale figure

MANILA, Philippines - In Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters, Jeremy Renner stars as Hansel, the legendary figure of fairytale lore, here envisioned as a grown-up badass bounty hunter out to stop a broom-swooping, child-snatching hoard of witches by whatever means necessary. Joined onscreen by rising star Gemma Arterton (as the eponymous Gretel) and Famke Janssen (as the evil witch, Muriel), the film marks the Hollywood debut of Norwegian director Tommy Wirkola and Jeremy’s big screen follow-up to his most recent hit, The Bourne Legacy.

A two-time Oscar nominee (The Hurt Locker and The Town), Jeremy has appeared in over 20 films — including The Avengers and Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol — and today makes his home in Los Angeles. Below are excerpts from the interview with Jeremy:

What initially attracted you to Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters?

“I received the script along with a sheet they’d attached to it, kind of like a mini-poster. It was Hansel and Gretel, this really cool, dark image with a witch burning in the background, and the logline that it’s a continuation of their story, but it’s now 15 years later and they’re bounty hunters who kill witches for a living. I thought, ‘Well, I’d go see that movie.’ More importantly, I also wanted to do something that was fun. A lot of the work I’ve done prior have been movies that are somewhat realistic or true stories or heavy dramas. I kind of wanted to do something that was just fun.”

Why do you think Hollywood has taken such a renewed interest in fairytales?

“Part of it is we have the technology now to really create these worlds that these authors had written for us so long ago. They are rooted in mythology and there’s always a really interesting, deep theme in them. They’re also just great, fun worlds which work on a big screen.”

How did you prepare for the shoot?

“I’d just finished Mission Impossible, so I was in good enough shape. But this was another form of fighting. I had to get beat up pretty good (laughs) as I do in this movie. It was kind of like taking a gymnastics class — tumbling, diving, rolling and just getting used to your body flopping around and hitting the ground safely — that sort of thing. So the physical stuff I wasn’t that concerned with. I actually spent more of my time with Gemma (co-star Gemma Arterton), trying to ground the movie in our brother-sister relationship.”

Tell us about the production. I understand you shot the film in Germany?

“In Berlin. It was exciting to shoot there at Babelsberg (Studios) and be in that part of the world where the fable actually has its origins. While there’s some CGI in the movie, it’s not a lot compared to (other films).  We built all the sets — all the costumes, the witch stuff, everything involved practical effects, rather than things created in a computer. The troll-character, for example, is an animatronic. Tommy (Wirkola), our director, really fought for that kind of thing. It really made the movie and it made it a lot more fun to shoot.”

What did you think when you first put on Hansel’s black leather jacket?

“Honestly, I hope I can move in this thing (laughs). It’s beautiful. It’s cool. They made these things really well. I mean, they’re authentic and they’re awesome. They did a really good job. But I said before you go any further with this stuff, just make sure I can move in it, because that’s what was required of me in the role.”

Tell us about your director, Tommy. We understand it’s his first big Hollywood film.

“First big film, yeah. He had a smaller movie, Dead Snow, that I thought was really interesting. He’s a quiet guy, but that doesn’t mean he’s not specific in what he wants. And he gets what he wants.”