Taking on this role, youre coming from a long line of Strykers.
Is that a challenge, or is it a case of cleaning the slate?
I mean, I would never say its cleaning the slate.
The most daunting thing about Stryker is that hes already been played by two great actors.
But Id be lying if I said that it didnt come with a certain amount of stress as well.
I think thats going to be really, deeply interesting but well get to that in the future.
So what is Bill Stryker doing in this story?
Is he meeting Logan for the first time?
This is the inception of it all, I guess.
Bills role in this film is really… his job is to work with Trask.
So hes getting a view of the future that he knows is coming.
The good thing about Bill is, he keeps his cards close to his chest.
Theres a lot going on in his mind, and hes planning a lot for the future.
Again, its setting up some really interesting journeys for down the road.
Were you a fan of the comic books before this?
I knew the films.
Id seen all the films.
And I didnt know the comics growing up.
It was only recently that I got into the comics, after I got hired on this.
I thought Id better become a fan quickly, and I did become one.
So Id seen all the films, and I was honestly a big fan.
So to be here now is an insane privelege, and one Im not taking lightly.
So how did all this come about, then?
I was quite protected from all the stress that comes with auditions, to be honest with you.
I was lucky, in that Id done a film calledJack Reacher,which Christopher McQuarrie directed.
Again, being a nerd about films, I would do anything to work with that guy.
Ive been a fan of his for a long, long time.
So I was like, Oh shit, Ive got to put on 30 pounds [Laughs].
Bad news first: Juggernauts no longer in the script.
The good news is theyre having trouble with another role, and they want to see you for it.
And I was like, Yeah, okay.
Yeah, I could be persuaded.
[Laughs]
So why did they write out Juggernaut?
I feel very fortunate that it worked out this way, because Stryker is an amazing character.
Strykers a menacing character in the previous films.
Given that youre playing a younger version of him, do you get in on the action?
Bill gets his ass whooped a few times in this film.
[Laughs]
Again, its interesting, because thats an important step for Bill as a character.
He grows into a character who learns to use his mind to achieve his ends.
And not only hold his own, but be intimidating, and be a legitimate threat.
A human who has an ability to that is a special man indeed.
I think what were seeing happen to the character now informs what he becomes in the future.
So its before he has his son, right?
Because I remember inX-Men 2,he has his son, who actually kills his wife.
So is this before he knows he has a son?
Theres allusions to that in this film.
I dont want to say too much, but its early in the process.
This film seems big even by the standards of anX-Menfilm.
From your perspective, just how big is it?
But this script goes above and beyond what I thought was possible for a film like this.
Especially because there are so many complex things to weave together.
I have great respect for Simon Kinberg and everyone who developed the script.
So in terms of scale, I think this is going to blow peoples heads off.
I think its going to completely blow peoples minds.
Really, honestly, I do.
Whats Bryan Singer like to work with?
Bryans an interesting figure.
But Ive been hopefully in a non-creepy way Ive been watching Bryan.
He has such a total understanding of what hes doing.
Im constantly amazed by the little things hell catch, and the connections he makes between things.
So Im consistently impressed by what hes doing with these people.
It must be a great experience as an actor to be working with this cast.
It just keeps going on.
He was telling me, all throughMad Max,that he was going to be doingX-Menafter this.
That would be great.
It was an absolute dream to come in here.
But Fassbender, McAvoy.
Again, Id watch them do anything.
You need actors who are so good in films like this.
But yeah, the cast on this film is ridiculous.
Whats the relationship between Trask and Bill Stryker?
Its really interesting, because weve been finding that as weve been going along.
Peter and I only met hours before our first scene together, and Peter is such a sweetheart.
Hes one of the funniest guys Ive ever met.
Bill comes from the military, and Trask is scientifically minded.
He became an incredibly imposing figure, a strong figure.
Its been really interesting finding certain dynamics together.
Most of what Ive done is watch and listen to Peter, and just do what he says.
And thats a really lucky job to have.
Working with Peter has been great, and I feel like Im constantly learning from him.
With the element of time travel, is it possible that Bills futures not set in stone?
We know what happens to him in the second movie; is there room to change that future?
Thats a good question, and I may not be the best person to answer that.
I think, in these film, nothings set in stone.
Theres always room for surprising developments with these characters.
But to what degree?
Youd have to ask Simon Kinberg.
It sounds like youve been planning future movies.
Are there seeds planted in this movie that will contine Strykers storyline?
That hes a growing character that will continue in theX-Men?
Nothings set in stone.
I wont believe it until Im sitting in the premier for the next film.
But I think that its such a rich character that theres room to develop that relationship.
I think it could be really interesting to see how he develops over time.
Which of theX-Menis your favourite from this film?
Theres actually a couple of little character moments that I love.
It doesnt give away the plot, but theres the aftermath of certain fights that I just love.
Charles, James McAvoy, his arc in this is really interesting.
Hes got some great stuff with Nick and Fassbender as well.
Ive not seen a lot of the other future stuff with Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen.
But Ive heard its beautiful, and I cant wait to see it.
Who was your favourite member of theX-Mengrowing up?
Growing up, there was something so fun about Wolverine as a character.
Its not just their powers, though.
I love Magneto because of how dark he is, and how complex.
I think hes a beautiful character to watch.
He does terrible things, but theres always something you identify with.
Do you see this version of Stryker as a reflection of the military in some ways?
Does he resemble specific military figures of now or then?
Its a good question.
I dont think he is a reflection of the military.
I dont think in his mind hes primarily a military man I think hes more complex than that.
I wouldnt associate that with the military, specifically.
X-Mens always interesting in terms of social issues.
Does this film have anything to say through Stryker?
I think Stryker has a place, but hes not the centre of it.
We saw in the production department that theres a base in Vietnam.
Is Stryker in Vietnam at some point?
I think it was emasculating on a level for Stryker.
So he was there and he experienced it?
In a sense he is Bill, hes a young man in the army.
And I think that the William Stryker that we know doesnt yet exist.
Does that make sense?
Im not trying to be too coy.
Do you have any scenes with Quicksilver?
Uh, no, no I dont regrettably.
But Id very much like to be there to witness that.
Itd be fun to see those scenes being played.
We were talking about favourite scenes, and the one with Quicksilver is pretty special.
So Im looking forward to seeing that.
Would you say the story sticks fairly closely to the comics, or does it take inspiration?
It falls somewhere in the middle of those two.
I think itll fall nicely in line with the others.
How have you been getting along with Hugh [Jackman]?
Im only at a loss for words because hes so normal and sweet.
Very welcoming and opening.
On the shoot, everyones friendly until someone shouts action.
Then cut is called, and were all back to practical jokes.
Theyre going to hate that Im saying this, but Ill say it anyway.
I mean, we have rules.
We have to wear glasses.
Were not allowed to shoot at anyone who doesnt wear glasses.
And no innocents are allowed to be caught in the crossfire, so we have to be aware.
We have been going to town.
But Ive been shot in the face a number of times.
Each of us have been shot in the face at least once, I think.
So that gives you an idea of the calibre of work ethic that youre dealing with.
Thats the great thing about this: we have so much fun.
We all genuinely get along so well that its conducive to a great work environment.
Its certainly one of the most fun jobs Ive ever done.
Josh Helman, thank you very much.
X-Men: Days Of Future Pastis out in UK cinemas on the 22nd May.
You canread our set report here.
