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John Leguizamo Has Never Been as Vulnerable as in ‘The Odyssey’: “It Was So Intense for Me”
John Leguizamo has spoken about his role in Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey", describing it as the most vulnerable he has ever been on screen. He plays Eumaeus, the loyal servant of Odysseus (Matt Damon), who quietly supports Telemachus (Tom Holland) and Penelope (Anne Hathaway) during Odysseus's long absence, and delivers an emotionally raw performance when his master finally returns home in disguise. Leguizamo credits Nolan with seeing him differently to other directors, casting him against the "villain" or "aggressor" typecasting he says he has often faced as a Latin actor.
In the interview, the veteran actor, known for collaborations with Baz Luhrmann and Jon Favreau as well as acclaimed solo stage shows, reflects on the film's lavish global rollout, including a London premiere featuring a Trojan Horse and a star-studded lineup so large the cast had to pose "prom-style" to fit in shots. He also describes warm, informal moments with co-stars such as Lupita Nyong'o, Charlize Theron, Matt Damon and Tom Holland, and says landing such a major role at this stage of his career feels like the pinnacle of his 40-year acting journey.
In short
- Leguizamo calls his Eumaeus role his most vulnerable performance yet
- Nolan cast him against typical typecasting in "The Odyssey"
- He describes an extravagant global premiere tour and starry co-stars
Explained simply
Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" is a major film adaptation of Homer's classical epic, telling the story of the Greek warrior Odysseus and his difficult journey home after the Trojan War. The film boasts an international ensemble cast including Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong'o and Charlize Theron.
John Leguizamo is an established actor with four decades of film and television work, known for collaborations with directors such as Baz Luhrmann and Jon Favreau, as well as for acclaimed stage performances. Throughout his career, he has frequently been cast in more aggressive or antagonistic roles.
In "The Odyssey", Leguizamo plays Eumaeus, a loyal servant character who supports Odysseus's family during the warrior's long absence. The role has allowed him to explore a more emotionally nuanced character, representing a significant opportunity at this stage of his career.
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