Actor and stunt performer Adam Basil's credits include "Beauty and the Beast," "No Time to Die," "Game of Thrones, "Venom: Let There Be Carnage," "Avengers: Age of Ultron," "Kingsman: The Golden Circle" and "Spider-Man: Far from Home," as well as several "Fast & Furious" movies. He talked to us about his gruelling stunt work, the celebrities he gets to work alongside, the secrets of prosthetics and how being big and bulky has been the making of his career.
Beginnings in the film industry
Kate: How did you get into the film industry?
Adam Basil: After working in the theatre and in other jobs (including yacht delivery!), by coincidence I happened upon a stuntman and actor who told me about the British Stunt Register.
In the UK, there’s a qualification process for stuntmen and women – you have to be at national level in six different sporting disciplines. It took me many years to complete my training and qualify as a stuntman.
Which celebrities have you worked with?
I’ve worked with lots of well-known actors and directors – Steven Spielberg, Tom Cruise, Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Samuel L Jackson, Ryan Reynolds, and many more.
Favourite projects
What have been your favourite projects?
My favourite project so far was working with Andy Serkis when I played Venom. I also played the Beast in "Beauty and the Beast," and Baloo in "The Jungle Book." Playing a death trooper in "Rogue One" was a challenging role due to the costumes being very restrictive.
And I really enjoyed playing the body double for Will Smith in "Aladdin" – yep, that big blue body is mine! I did four seasons of "Game of Thrones" and stunt-doubled for the Hound and the Mountain. I had four hours of prosthetics from the great Barry Gower, the mastermind who created the amazing characters you see on those programmes.
Who’s your inspiration?
I grew up on a diet of films like "ET" and "Indiana Jones" and always loved the work of Steven Spielberg. His epic adventures gripped me from an early age, and I had the luck of working with him on "Ready Player One."
What advice would you give someone who wants to become a stuntman and actor?
I’d say think long and hard if it is the job for you.
The hours are gruelling, and after long days at work you’ll usually find us in the gym. If that excites you, then get involved by contacting the British Register, or if you’re in America contact SAG to find out how to join us!
What’s your most recent project?
This year, when Penguin released the new Judge Dredd audiobooks, I played the voice of Judge Dredd. We recorded three audiobooks in three days, and one of the scripts alone was 160 pages. I also acted in "The Beekeeper" with Jason Statham, I’m an orc in the new "Lord of the Rings" franchise and I’m in HBO’s "The Last Of Us." I’m also a guest lead in "Django," a new Sky Atlantic series coming out in February.
Training
What training do you do to prepare for films?
Films are intense – we work six days a week, sometimes seven. When working on "Beauty and the Beast," I worked 21 days straight. The days are long – 10 hours minimum, plus travelling to and from work – and we sometimes have to change our body weight for a role. For example, in "Beauty and the Beast" the Beast is very big, so I was encouraged to bulk up for the role to make the character more menacing. I’d eat 4,200 calories a day and lift weights twice a day, five days a week. For other roles we can be asked to lose weight to fit into costumes that can’t be changed to accommodate the performer. My size has worked well for me, as I’m 6ft4in and weigh 110 kg, which helps me get roles and has meant I have travelled all over the world with my work.
