Ben Kingsley
Ben Kingsley had admitted that he was keen to explore the character of Nizam in Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.
The Oscar winning actor is back on the big screen next week in the action blockbuster that is based on the hit computer game.
After reading the script he could see that the plot was all laid out but time was needed in developing this character.
Speaking to Comingsoon the actor said: "Well, the production is inconceivable when you receive a script, but if I can wind back the first news came from Mike Newell, our director.
"He expressed the desire for me to play Nizam and he wanted to pin me down very early on in the casting process, but I hadn't read a script. I only know Mike Newell and I know how he investigates character.
"Then when I read the script, I realized this is not a character-driven script. It's a beautifully-crafted plot-driven script. And why do you need Mike Newell? To balance it. Always. Very often you find that a combination between writer and director is one of balance rather than all going down the same road, and that's much more interesting.
"So I could see from the page that we really needed to investigate a lot of energy into the character. The plot? No need to do anything. There it was. Beautifully laid-out. All you do is film the plot, but then if you explore character then many, many deep layers will come into play in this dysfunctional family, and so it was Mike Newell that really was the number one attraction.
"Number two (was) the combination of the script and Mike and then everything coming together and going to Morocco, which I love. I've done six films there now. And then Pinewood. So I'm working from home at last. Coming in from my own house.
"So that was a very attractive proposition but that that's secondary. Of course, we film anywhere and wherever the work is but the number one combination was the great plot and then Mike's wonderful curiosity about character.
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is released 21st May.
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