Rivals from ‘UNCLE’ get along well

LOS ANGELES—Although Armie Hammer and Henry Cavill play feuding spies in “The Man from UNCLE,” the two actors have become friends after working on the movie inspired by the 1960s TV series.

In our interview with Armie at the Claridge’s Hotel in London, he talked about how he and Henry bonded while rehearsing with their director, Guy Ritchie.

While “The Man from UNCLE” showcases the fun chemistry between Armie and Henry—who play KGB operative Illya Kuryakin and CIA agent Napoleon Solo, respectively—it also offers their scenes with two equally good actresses, Alicia Vikander and Elizabeth Debicki.

The great grandson of the late oil tycoon and philanthropist Armand Hammer, Armie became a dad last December when his wife, actress Elizabeth Chambers, gave birth to their daughter, Harper.

The following are excerpts from our chat with Armie, whose credits include “The Lone Ranger,” “J. Edgar” and “The Social Network”:

How was it working with Henry Cavill?

I now consider Henry a friend after making this movie. We had such a good time. We really weren’t thinking about making it a buddy movie because our characters hated each other the whole time. But it worked well. I think Henry’s and my style were really compatible with each other. We are both extremely professional; we both showed up hoping to make the best movie possible, and it was more collaborative than it was competitive.

While your characters’ relationship is adversarial, there is rapport between you and Henry. Did you know each other beforehand?

This was the first time we met. We e-mailed each other prior to rehearsals. We were just like, “Hey, nice to meet you, looking forward to making the movie.” The rapport and relationship really came from countless hours spent with Guy in his living room, rehearsing and talking about the scenes, drinking wine, chopping wood and hanging out. I guess it’s good for the camaraderie.

In the film, you and Alicia almost kiss several times but it never happens.

My wife is probably thrilled that it didn’t happen. One was a really fun scene to make because on paper, it was so simple. Alicia wasn’t supposed to be dancing. It was another example of all the actors getting together with Guy and going, “Let’s think of something—what is the best thing we can do?” And the scene came alive and evolved over the course of shooting. It was fun.

What was the energy like on the set, with the leads coming from different countries—US (Armie), UK (Henry), Sweden (Alicia) and Australia (Elizabeth)?

The funny thing is we all got along. I have never been part of a movie where that happens, but everybody loved everybody. The only thing I can think of is Guy’s genius casting. He hires people whom he thinks he’s going to like—or at least tolerate—for months composed of 12- to 16-hour days. He picked great people.

We had fun throughout the process. It was extremely collaborative and open. It was a project where, if we were doing a scene and Alicia turned and said, “It may be funny if you do this,” you go, “You are right, thank you. I appreciate this suggestion.” It was not like, “Don’t tell me what to do—this is my character.” It was like a family making a movie. It was great and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Were you aware of the TV show, and did you reach out to the original actors?

I hadn’t seen the original series when I agreed to do this movie. In fact, I had never even heard of it. I thought “The Man from UNCLE” was the craziest movie title I have ever heard. I was like, that doesn’t even make sense grammatically. How is a man from uncle?

When I got hired, I was like, oh, this was a TV show, and that I probably should watch it. I found them (episodes) on DVD and spent a couple of weekends just binge-watching them. I saw why people loved the show and the characters.

David McCallum and Robert Vaughn did a great job in the show. I didn’t reach out to either of them, mostly [out] of respect. David is still out there, working and doing great work.

Do you think you’d make a good spy in real life?

Honestly, I would probably make a s–tty spy—the worst! I am not a very good secret-keeper. I am probably way too tall to blend into a crowd. Movie spies are fun—they get the girl, motorcycles, cars, suits, guns, the whole thing.

But I think real spies sit in a room, eating cold food while waiting for their little shortwave radio to give them a secret message. So that they can go take a picture of one thing and then go back to their room, where they stay for another couple of weeks. Sounds awful.

What was that one moment during shooting that make you think that this film is cool?

Being on a motorcycle, which was designed by Steve McQueen—a Rickman Metisse. It’s the bike that Steve McQueen designed to be his desert racer. The one I used was set up exactly the way he set up his own, but in a different color. I got one and I love it.

Are you familiar with Illya Kuryakin, the rock band?

From Argentina? Yeah. “Leche” is my favorite album of theirs. I had no idea they existed before this movie, either. They are great; their music is sort of rap-rock.

I think there is another band in Spain called Napoleon Solo. Let’s get them together (laughs).

Do you pick clothes for your wife the way Illya does in the movie?

I definitely appreciate women’s fashion. But I know nothing about it and I am not allowed to pick anything for my wife to wear. I am allowed to zip things up, though, so I am not totally helpless.

And to zip down, too?

Oh yeah, that’s the fun part (laughs).

What is the bravest thing you have done in real life?

Probably having a baby. It’s a scary thing, but also the most powerful thing that happened to me. It’s no longer about me or what I want. It’s about what do I have to do to keep this thing alive? But it’s also a natural thing, so no one deserves an award for having a baby.

Congratulations to you and your wife on the baby.

Her name is Harper. She was born eight months ago.

Did you name your baby after the author, Harper Lee?

Yeah, that was part of it. Harper Lee may not be my favorite, but Elizabeth really likes her. We also like the sound of Harper Hammer. It is also a name that is feminine and strong at the same time.

How are you adjusting to fame?

I don’t live a very public life. That is by my own design and creation. I rarely leave my house unless I have to or I’m with my family. We don’t make a big deal about it.

I have never had my picture taken by the paparazzi because they are not just sitting around on the street. They are waiting for people to call them and go, “Hey, I am going to be here.” Or, “Hey, I will be at the beach holding this water bottle so come take my picture.” If you don’t do that, they won’t follow you.

I am not cheating on my wife with a costar. I am not going to the coolest clubs. I am not doing any of those stuff, so I am not a very exciting photo subject. So in a way, it’s very avoidable.

The culture right now in America is, if I wanted to, I could try to parlay this into as much fame as I wanted. But you know that doesn’t last. I am not here because I want to be famous; I am here because I love making movies more than anything in the world.

Fame will raise my profile. If it does, the bright side of that coin is, hopefully, it will help me get a movie made that has a small budget and that they can’t get made. And if you do a big movie like this, it makes it easier to get funding to do a small passion project. So, there’s a way to use fame for good, as long as you don’t let it eat you alive.

You and Henry have playful names for each other in the movie. Do people have nicknames for you aside from Armie?

Some people have called me “Arms,” which is very strange. Armando at one point.

(E-mail the columnist at rvnepales_

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