Eddie Redmayne was terrified to audition for the role of Professor Stephen Hawking in ‘The Theory of Everything’.
The 32-year-old actor portrays the celebrated physicist in the new biopic but admits he didn’t have much faith that he would land the part he coveted so much.
Redmayne – who counts a Tony Award and BAFTA nomination amongst his achievements – told Sunday Times Culture magazine: "I don’t have a massive amount of faith in myself, but I do have a competitive edge."
Referring to his latest role, he added: "I was like, ‘Yeah – yeah! I’m going to try for that one, and then … complete terror. Someone asked me earlier, ‘Did you get offered it?’ And I was like, ‘No, I fought pretty hard.’"
The ‘Les Miserables’ star had to get used to sitting a wheelchair all day during shooting as Hawking has had motor neuron disease since the age of 21.
However, Redmayne insists it didn’t bother him because it is such an important part of the scientist’s life story.
Speaking about his scenes in the wheelchair, he explained: (It was) uncomfortable – but at the end of the day you got out of the wheelchair."
Eddie Redmayne was scared to go for Hawking role
