Jamie Bell prefers playing the "funny sidekick" on screen rather than be the leading man.
The 31-year-old actor is currently starring as real life actor Peter Turner alongside Hollywood legend Annette Bening as actress Gloria Grahame in ‘Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool’.
The pair carry the movie and although Bell usually doesn’t watch his own work he felt he had a duty to check out his performance in this project, and he couldn’t help think he’s more suited to the supporting roles as the story happened before his eyes.
Speaking to the Metro newspaper, Bell said: "I rarely see any of my work but I had a duty to watch ‘Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool’, a responsibility. I was playing someone’s real life. And it’s very challenging watching yourself. I don’t know what it’s like for other actors.
"All the time I’m watching it, I’m like ‘I should really stick to playing the funny sidekick guy!’ That’s my preferred role!"
‘Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool’ sees Bening portraying real life actress Gloria Grahame who meets the unknown actor Turner (Bell) in 1978 leading to the two starting a vibrant love affair despite their age difference.
The film is based on Turner’s memoirs about his affair with the B-Movie actress.
Bell has worked on a number of acclaimed films after shooting to fame at the age of 14 in ‘Billy Elliot’, including ‘King Kong’, ‘Nymphomaniac’ and ‘The Adventures of Tintin’, and said he is always looking for "diversity" in his career.
He said: "You’re always looking for diversity. Most of it is by luck.
"I was talking to someone who referred to my career as a ‘pinball machine’, in the sense that I had ‘Nymphomaniac’ and ‘Tintin’ out in the same year, which I think was kind of true.
"I feel very fortunate with what has come my way and the people I’ve worked with."
Jamie Bell: I’m a great sidekick
