Tom Hiddleston tried to get into the mind of Hank Williams in preparation to play him in a biopic.
The 35-year-old actor is portraying the late singer-songwriter in ‘I Saw the Light’ and was encouraged by musical director Rodney Crowell to get to grips with the meanings behind the legendary star’s tracks.
Tom explained to TasteofCountry.com: "I remember asking him, ‘What do I need to do to? I’ve got four months to get myself ready for this. These are big boots. What do I need to do?’
"And Rodney says, ‘Before you do anything else – before you think about sounding like Hank, playing like Hank – learn the songs. And learn them for yourself. Find out what they mean to you.’
"Essentially just to invest myself in the meaning of those songs, and then come see him again in a few months’ time, and Rodney would work on modulating tone and rhythm. But initially, the simple work was actually just to mean it … because that was the only way I think I was ever gonna translate the power of his music to people."
Meanwhile, Tom previously revealed the part was a "joy" for him to portray.
He explained: "I certainly connected to his joy of performing. There’s no question that he felt, he took huge pleasure in the connection between himself and his audience."
Tom Hiddleston’s soul searching
