FX networks new series inspired by the Coen Brothers' movie of the same name, Fargo, is a hit among critics and audiences alike. Billy Bob Thornton is the epitome of terrifying as hitman/ dark force Lorne Malvo, perhaps because the killer character allows Billy Bob to express some of the frustrations that have led to his reportedly quitting directing major motion picutres for good. The Hobbit's Bilbo Baggins, Martin Freeman plays a very convincing wife killer as enigmatic Lester Nygaard, but he always knew he would be. Pigeonholed, Martin has begged to play seedier roles like serial killers and rapist forever, to little avail. The Hebrew Hammer, Adam Goldberg was excited to play one half of frozen mafia enforcer team Mr. Numbers and Mr. Wrench, until he was confronted with the physical demands of performing scenes in 30 below weather at the hitmen's signature Lake O' Death body disposal depot.
Martin Freeman's portrayal of guilt ridden wife killer Lester Nygaard is at times artistically unnerving, as the audience feelings toward Lester constanly transform from pity to disgust, than back again, sometimesin the matter of seconds--all the while with his hand turning more septic and infected looking every.
Martin told TV Guide that he always knew there was a solid serial rapist or heroin dealer inside of him somewhere just dying to get out:
"I've said to my agents for ages in a kind of lighthearted way that I think I need to play a serial killer, a f---ing rapist, drug dealer, whatever. Partly because people don't see me like that and partly because I want to flex those muscles again.
"Before The Office, I was a young actor in London who casting agents... saw as kind of edgy. I would be going up for those parts that were a bit violent or a bit scuzzy.
"It's not that I'm a serial killer or anything.
"But it's in everybody. We all have those moments where you do want to throw someone out of a window."
Actor Adam Goldberg, Chandler Bing's onetime roommate, told Screen Crush that he loved the idea of working on Fargo, until he realized just how unforgiving the elements where in North Dakota during that time of year--especially when on location for the frozen lake interment scenes:
"It was physically one of the most unpleasant days I've ever had of shooting...Most of my days were physically unpleasant regardless of whether I was shooting or not.
"It was minus 30 degree weather on a slippery frozen lake...It was weird, it was like being on another planet.
"You have frozen beard, frozen nose-hair, a lot of wind in your lungs, and a s--t ton of electricity, because it's very dry there. I just kept muttering to myself "this is worth it, this is worth it."
"I'm not good in any inclement conditions."
Former quadruple threat, Billy Bob Thornton is cutting the threats back a bit these days.
The Sling Blade writer/actor/musician/director is slashing the last bit of accolades form the old resume out of pure disgust for Hollywood and the public's not properly appreciating his films--like Jayne Mansfield's Car and All the Pretty Horses.
Angelina Jolie's ex told Entertainment Weekly that he wasn't going to bother making any more movies that no longer have an audience or a market:
"I think I'm obsolete as a film director. I don't think there's a place for me as a film director--or a writer.
"If I wrote anything, it would probably be for television and maybe like Costner's [Hatfields and McCoys] thing. Or maybe like this, maybe Fargo. I can see myself doing something like that.
"I can't see myself being a television director unless it's for a two-hour movie. Like if I did an HBO or FX or whatever it is, movie. That I would do."
Let's hope he does.
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