For Kenneth Branagh, starring as an action hero in the Cold War comedy “Mayday” was a chance to surprise the audience and get in shape.
The British actor, best known to audiences for heavyweight Shakespearean roles like Henry V, appears in the Apple TV film as a former KGB agent capable of taking on his most ruthless enemies armed with nothing more than a pen. To prepare, the actor practiced yoga for hours and trained methodically to master the fight choreography. Above all, the action sequences were a chance to show off his versatility. Much of the success of the film hinges on the easy chemistry between Branagh and co-star Reynolds.
“There was some movie magic there for sure, but there was no question that I learned everything,” he told AFP on the sidelines of the Toronto International Film Festival. Branagh said he had been delighted with the script by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, who also directed the film, and had loved working with people who had such a clear vision. The on-screen bond developed very quickly from the first meeting between the actors, Branagh said. “When we meet at work or you know promoting the film, it just carries on,” he said.
