Omar Sy is one of the biggest stars in France. He won the equivalent of an Academy Award, the César Award for Best Actor in 2012, for his work in The Intouchables, which is the second highest grossing French film of all time in France.
How excited were you when you found out that you were playing Bishop?
Omar: I was really really happy and couldn’t believe it, because it was new, and even almost two years ago I came in here and I wasn’t capable of speaking good English, it was like something crazy to be in a big franchise like that, especially “X-Men.” I’m a really big fan, so it was like a dream. I was really happy.
Tell me about that opening battle sequence, that looked like a lot of fun. How was it shooting that?
Omar: It was crazy to shoot that and to finally discover all of the tricks for the special effects, it was like learning something really really important to me, because like I said, I’m a real fan! As an X-Men fan discovering that was really good.
Tell me a little about Bishop’s powers, what does he do?
Omar: He takes the energy from other energy sources and he can take it into his gun and turn it back onto the enemy.
Tell me about your weapon.
Omar: [laughs] It was a really big gun, a big one, and I’m really proud of it.
Speak about working with Hugh Jackman and just getting to know him through the course of this journey.
Omar: He’s a really nice guy, really really nice and very talented actor, and he’s Wolverine. So it was nice to meet Hugh Jackman and Wolverine.
You also had scenes with Halle Berry as well, tell me more about that?
Omar: It was the same, because she’s Halle Berry, she’s a big actress, very talented actress and she’s also Storm, so it was really great to meet both of them.
Do you have any fun stories from set or stories you would like to share?
Omar: No I keep it for me. [laughs]
It’s for your personal memories?
Omar: Yeah. [laughs]
And you also worked with Mr. Singer. Tell me how was it collaborating with him as a director?
Omar: He’s a really good director, very talented and he did a really good job with this movie and it was really interesting to see him work, because when he works, you can see that he already has the editing in his head, he was really precise for the camera angle or camera movement, it was so precise. I learned a lot to see him work.
Have you seen the final cut? How was that experience seeing it on the big screen?
Omar: Yeah, I saw it. It was crazy, it’s my favorite one.
How exciting is it for you to be seen globally in this massive summer blockbuster?
Omar: I’m really proud. I’m really happy! I can’t wait to see the audience reaction.
Who are some of your favorite hip hop artists that you listen to?
Omar: Jay Z, Nas. Drake – at the moment his voice is really good.
Also, I see that you have 6 really big films coming out. “Jurassic World” looks pretty exciting.
Omar: Yeah I’m shooting it right now, yeah.
How excited were you when you found out that you were joining something that Steven Spielberg is producing and created?
Omar: Yeah it’s the same, I’m living a dream, it’s difficult to realize, and I try to live it plainly and enjoy it.
And the trailer just dropped for “Good People,” tell us about that project?
Omar: I shot it last year, and it was interesting, because I’m playing a bad guy for the first time in my life, so it was really interesting and very funny to do it with James Franco, a really good actor, and Kate Hudson, a really good actress, and Henrik Genz is a very talented Danish director. We had a lot of fun shooting that it was very cool, I can’t wait to show it.
And also you have “Samba.” What can you tell us about that project?
Omar: “Samba” is the project with Olivier Nakache, Eric Toledano, the directors of “The Intouchables.” It’s a story about an African illegal immigrant in France, and it’s a new story we’re trying to tell in France. It’s coming out in October and I’m really proud. It stars Charlotte Gainsbourg, Tahar Rahim other good actors, so I’m excited.
They also announced your attachment to “Chef” starring Bradley Cooper as well, but you haven’t start filming that, yet.
Omar: No no, not yet.
Tell me about your passion for acting, where did you get your passion from?
Omar: It was like a happy accident, I started to act to help a friend, and I found it cool. I don’t know how to explain that but it wasn’t on purpose at the beginning, now it’s my life.
Are there any directors you would like to collaborate with, or anyone you admire?
Omar: All of them! All of them! They can call now. [laughs]
Is there anything else you want to share?
Omar: Yeah “Chocolat”! I have another project I’m shooting in January in France, it’s the story about the first black clown in France. His name was “LE CLOWN CHOCOLAT.”
Tell me more about this clown.
Omar: He had a dual with another clown, who was a white guy, it was the beginning of the past century … before the first war, and during this time there was no black clowns in France. He was a clown and famous.
So it’s a really important story.
Omar: Yeah it’s part of the history.
Are there any differences you’ve notice with being in Hollywood vs. starring in French Cinema?
Omar: It’s not the same, because now I’m here, I’m starting here, and it’s like 15 years ago starting in France, it’s the beginning. So that’s difference.
What do you love about New York?
Omar: I come often, and New York I love the city, but I’m not a city guy … I’m too laid back.
What would you like people to see in France?
Omar: Paris of course, and maybe the south of France.