David Oyelowo reveals particular friendship with Angelina Jolie

David Oyelowo had an exhilarating expertise engaged on The Midnight Sky (Image: Getty)

Actor David Oyelowo, 44, on engaged on his core power for George Clooney and bonding with Angelina Jolie. 

You play an astronaut in George Clooney’s new movie, The Midnight Sky. How did you get your head round all that advanced science-speak?

George was excellent at guiding us on this. He would usually discuss his expertise on ER and all of that jargon they needed to spout in that present, and the way, principally, studying it in addition to you possibly can and saying it as quick as you possibly can is the important thing. As a result of if , or appear to know, what you’re speaking about, then the viewers purchase that what you’re speaking about!

Is it true you had a hand in naming your character?

I believe initially my character’s identify was Commander Harper, as written within the e book. And I used to be enthusiastic about the truth that that is set some many years sooner or later. And I realised that I’d by no means seen an African astronaut in a movie like this. 

I simply felt very strongly, being a really proud individual of African descent, {that a} crew tasked with saving the world ought to have an African in there.

And so I requested George if he was open to me altering my identify and we did — we modified it to Adewole, which is a reputation from the tribe I’m from in Nigeria, the Yoruba tribe. It’s gonna sound very self-important however the identify means ‘the king has entered the home’. And I informed George this, and he stated, “Properly, that’s within the film!” 

George Clooney gave David all of the tips on house (Image: Netflix)

You’re on wires to simulate zero gravity. How robust was that?

I received the message about needing to have a really sturdy core so as to have the ability to do that. So the coaching began about two to a few months earlier than we began taking pictures. And I truly talked to George about it as a result of he’s performed an astronaut earlier than — he had accomplished Gravity, he had accomplished Solaris. I believed, “George is principally to house motion pictures what De Niro is to gangster motion pictures, I’d higher pay attention”.  

David performs Adewole within the sci-fi drama (Image: Netflix)

And, boy, did we want recommendation. You might be being suspended by these wires, that are hooked up to components of your physique that simply mustn’t have that stage of strain and pulling on them. I’m so glad I had already had my 4 kids by the point we did this movie! It was humiliating, to start with. I spent a variety of time wanting very uncool the other way up hanging from wires.

You’re additionally starring in and producing household movie Come Away with Angelina Jolie.  How did you get her on board?

Angie and I’ve been pals for a very long time. Oddly sufficient, we truly met at a celebration a number of years in the past and actually bonded over the truth that we individually have numerous kids. She has six, I’ve 4. 

Funnily sufficient, about six years in the past, after seeing me in a movie referred to as Nightingale, she made the error of claiming to me, “I’m so jealous, nobody ever gives me impartial movies”. I, after all, thought that was ridiculous and never true… so I believed, “Let me name her bluff on this”. And he or she learn it inside 4 days and was on. In order that was undoubtedly the perfect favour I referred to as in!

With a narrative that twists on Peter Pan and Alice In Wonderland, have been you eager on making a film your youngsters might see?

I do know fairly rapidly, with a pitch to my youngsters, whether or not it’s one thing that’s going to attraction to them or not. And that is one which they’re notably considering, which is completely one of many explanation why I needed to do it. My household have film night time each Friday and there’s solely so many instances you possibly can see Frozen! I’d describe this movie as live-action Pixar.

Angelina Jolie bonded with David over having a crew of youngsters (Image: Getty Pictures)

Having produced a number of tasks now, are you trying to direct?

I all the time knew I’d, in some unspecified time in the future, need to direct, particularly having directed theatre. Nevertheless it’s no joke, not least the sum of money that’s at stake and the quantity of individuals whose confidence you might want to earn. I really feel I’m about there now. I’ve labored with some actually extraordinary film-makers — I’ve handled it like on-the-job coaching. And so now I really feel certified. I wouldn’t need to leap into that with out actually having accomplished the work to review.

You reside in Los Angeles with your loved ones. What do you miss about non-lockdown Britain?

It’s the theatre. The theatre is what I miss. I really like strolling down the South Financial institution and nipping into the Nationwide Theatre and watching a play. The tradition is simply so wealthy. I do miss that specifically in regards to the UK.

You’re additionally in upcoming sci-fi Chaos Strolling. Does this imply you’re a secret geek?

I don’t know that I’m a sci-fi geek however I’m undoubtedly a fan of the style. My goodness, my youngsters… these are the movies I do this they get essentially the most enthusiastic about. And anybody who has learn the Patrick Ness novels [this is based on] is aware of it’s a must to be fairly ballsy and courageous to assault these tales.

I simply love the self-esteem of it — the concept of what life could be like in a world the place ladies can hear and see the ideas of males!■

The Midnight Sky is on Netflix now. Come Away is out in April on digital and DVD.