Helen Mirren 'applauds' director Gavin Hood for casting her in a role that had originally been written for a man.
Helen Mirren in Eye in the Sky
Mirren is set to return to the big screen in war drama Eye in the Sky, which explores the use of drones in warfare and some of the tough moral decisions that come with that way of fighting.
The movie sees the Oscar winner team up with filmmaker Gavin Hood for the first time - this is also Hood's first film since Ender's Game back in 2013.
Mirren reveals that Colonel Katherine Powell has been written as a man and wished that more directors would use female characters to tackle some of the film's themes.
Speaking to Collider, the actress said: "I didn't know that there was this backstory of this originally being written for a man. I so applaud you, Gavin, not only for casting me - obviously that was great for me - but any woman. I love how you articulated it just now that it takes it out of just being a Boy's movie about war, and I think it makes it much more universal that we are all a part of this conversation. I really applaud you for that. I wish more directors and writers had that point of view.
"I received the script, and like Gavin, I had exactly the same response to it. It was an absolute page-turner, but I thought much more than that. The subject matter was serious and threw up a conversation that I think we all need to be having.
"This is the reality of war in our present day and age, and I can only assume will become more and more prevalent as we travel through time. So, we need to discuss this and really be aware of what the various issues are."
Hood has assembled an impressive cast as Aaron Paul, Alan Rickman, Barkhad Abdi, Jeremy Northam, and Iain Glen are all set to star alongside Mirren.
Eye in the Sky is the second film of the year for Mirren and comes hot on the heels of the success of biopic film Trumbo. Eye in the Sky will be the first time that we have seen the actress tackle a war movie role and I am excited to see what she delivers.
Eye in the Sky is released 15th April.
