TMW #72: Introducing Bring Her Back star Billy Barratt and Comic-Con memories
Plus, a quiz on Marvel families
Welcome to the Tuesday edition of The Movie Wingman, featuring an interview with rising star Billy Barratt, memories of Comic-Cons past, and a Marvel quiz that keeps it in the family. We’ll be back on Friday with reviews of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Bring Her Back, The Bad Guys 2 and more…
One To Watch: Billy Barratt
Introducing the breakout star of upcoming horror, Bring Her Back…
When The Movie Wingman last saw young British actor Billy Barratt a couple of weeks ago, he was being mobbed outside a press screening of his terrific upcoming horror film, Bring Her Back. He’s going to need to start getting used to that level of attention after his performance in this film.
Directed by Talk to Me duo Danny and Michael Philippou, Bring Her Back stars Barratt as Andy, who - along with his younger sister Piper, who is visually impaired - has to live with a foster carer temporarily, following the death of their father. That foster carer is Laura (Sally Hawkins), and the siblings aren’t the only youngsters in her care. This living arrangement quickly becomes very sinister indeed.
Barratt has steadily been building an impressive CV, including an International Emmy Award-winning performance in Responsible Child and a regular role in Apple TV+ series Invasion, but his performance in Bring Her Back will showcase his talent to a whole new audience. The Movie Wingman meets him to discuss movies, music and more…
The Movie Wingman: How did you end up getting involved in an Australian film like Bring Her Back?
Billy Barratt: I'd done a film when I was much younger called Responsible Child [2019]. And I think Danny and Michael [Philippou] had seen that somehow, and they wanted me to play a character in Talk to Me, and then I think COVID and everything... we just couldn't make it happen. After that, I thought that was it. Like, ‘Oh shit, I've just blown my shot with Danny and Michael Philippou…’ But, no, they called me back and they were like, 'Look, we've got this character. We think you're gonna be good for it, but we just need to see you do these two scenes.’ And I did both of them and I think it worked, and they were pretty straight away just like, ‘OK, cool, let's get this rolling.’ And then I did three weeks of pre-production, or two weeks of pre-production. Sora [Wong], the girl that plays Piper, likes to correct me that it was two weeks, not three weeks! It was a pretty simple casting process. It was so nice of Danny and Michael to fight to get me on there as well. That was very kind.
And you were a fan of the Philippous before they contacted you, right?
I was big on YouTube for a long time. I was on it all the time. I loved it. And they were the ones I would watch because their YouTube videos [as RackaRacka] weren't like the classic vlogging-style kind of thing. It was like watching a mini action movie for five minutes or two minutes, or however quick they were. It was just so good, the stunts and the gore. I love it. So when I did get the call, I was freaking out. I was like, ‘This is major. I love these guys and they're calling me.’ It was fucking insane.
Did the Aussie accent take a lot of work?
It did. I'm not sure why, but for some reason I could sort of do it to some extent already. And then I'd slip into other accents and stuff. I had a wonderful dialect coach called Jenny [Kent]. It was amazing and we worked so hard together, in pre-production and also before I'd even got to Australia. And then there was one point Danny and Michael were like, ‘OK, when we go out together, just out and about, you need to speak in an Australian accent.’ I always felt a little bit weird doing it, but it was also good because they were watching out for it [on set]. So if I did slip, they'd be like, ‘Here's your note, and then also just on that word, it's said like this…’ and I'm like, ‘OK, cool.’
It’s a tough film to watch, and your character, Andy, goes through a lot in it. Was it draining to shoot?
It was, but they create an environment on set that's just so fun and when we call ‘cut’, you can step out of character, if you want. I think they really break that [notion] of professionalism [meaning] you've got to be serious all the time and you can't have fun. It is not true. You can have loads of fun as long as you're getting the work done and you're doing it properly and well and to the standard that you wanna do it… That is professionalism and I admire that.
The relationship between Andy and Piper is a special part of the film. How did you go about building that?
We did loads of things. We did a karaoke day, which was fun. We went to arcades and things like that, sort of just hung out. Andy and Piper do this thing where they link arms because she doesn't like using her cane, and he'll explain or describe the environment around them. We practiced that a lot. It was harder than I thought [it would be]. I think you find a comfort being around each other, which was really important for us. Danny and Michael made sure that we were hanging out and had that relationship. And Miranda Harcourt, our acting coach on set, was really good as well. She made sure that we were doing the same thing, which was great.
Another Brit who's playing an Aussie in this film is Sally Hawkins, and this is really unlike anything we've ever seen her do before. How was it working with her?
She's a lovely person. I remember the first time we met. Me, Danny, and Michael were getting ready for this rehearsal and we were going through the lines. And then there was this moment where we stopped what we were doing and they put this music on and we were dancing on the table, going nuts. And then Sally walks in and we are just instantly frozen, looking like naughty schoolboys. And the music was still going, and then she just started dancing as well. And that's when we realised, ‘Ah, Sally's cool.’ She's a lovely, lovely person, like genuinely a really nice person.
You've been acting from such a young age. How did you get started?
I think I was seven years old, and I was doing this shoot for my mum's friend, Nicole [Albarelli], who is a director, and it was called To Dream. She said to me, 'Do you wanna be in it? It's like a flashback scene. It's not much. You’ve got no lines.’ I was like, ‘Yeah, cool.’ And then I think I learned quite a few things on that, very simple basics that a seven-year-old wouldn't know, which is, ‘Don't look at the camera and don't do this, do that.’ And I was like, ‘OK, cool, I'm getting it now.’ It was good fun. And then I think that same year or maybe the year after my mum applied me for Sylvia Young Theatre School, the agency, and it's kind of built from there.
You have your band, The Hunger, as well. Who are some of your big musical influences?
The reason I wanted to start the band was because I saw a video of Green Day in [the 90s] in Chicago, and I was like, 'Fuck, I really want to do that.’ So I asked my friend, Cody, ‘Do you wanna start a band?’ because I knew he played guitar. I think I asked him four times. On the fourth time, he was like, 'Alright, fine. My other bands aren't going anywhere. I'll try this one.’ From there, we built the band slowly. Bruno joined and Myla joined. That's how it started. But our influences are Green Day, Placebo, Nirvana, Queens of the Stone Age. It's that kind of vibe.
Responsible Child was a huge turning point for you, and obviously a big thing to take on at that age. What do you remember about that whole experience?
Billy Barratt: I remember that it was on Zoom when the award ceremony happened and we were sitting in my living room and, obviously, once you're done with the Zoom, you're done with the Zoom. After the Zoom, we just ordered a massive KFC and that was a great way to sort of celebrate. I think it's definitely a more East London way of celebrating. I loved filming that show. That was like the first time I think I really realised and appreciated the fact that film can have such an impact on people. That was the real beginning for stuff. But I say that I feel like I'm still at the beginning right now, so…
You've had a couple of very small roles on really big films like Mary Poppins Returns and Kraven the Hunter. Do those blockbuster sets feel very different to doing a smaller scale film?
Yeah, they do. I don't think I was sent the full script for Kraven, because it was just so secret. But I wasn't gonna say no to the Marvel people. It's cool [on a big set]. People are still people. There's bigger names on set, there's more money involved and everything, but at the end of the day, we're all there to do a job. As long as we get it done, then there's no trouble. So that was it. I made some good friends on Kraven as well.
Looking ahead, is there anyone whose career you’ve admired and been inspired by?
When I don't land a role or something, I'm like, ‘That's probably for a reason.’ Michael Caine said, ‘You'll do a hundred auditions, you may only just get one.’ It's true. In that sense, there's no one I really want to follow in their career path, because I don't think you can. Someone I admire is Leonardo DiCaprio, only because he's picked some really good films and pretty much every film he's done has been a good pick, from when he was younger than me. I know he's still kind of early on in his career, but Timothée Chalamet is doing great stuff. He's a great actor and I remember his early stuff as well, watching that and I was like, 'Wow, this guy's gonna be big.' So I'm enjoying watching him sort of take off, being the biggest A-lister there is. It's cool to watch. (Matt Maytum)
Bring Her Back is in UK & Ireland cinemas from 26 July.
Con but not forgotten
San Diego Comic-Con flashbacks…
Shock announcements! Unnervingly realistic cosplay weaponry! Queues the size of Galactus’ corner sofa! Yes, San Diego Comic-Con is about to hit once more. Now, it may be the greatest geek-culture show on Earth, but things can get tough. For one thing, imagine living off pretzels and tacos for four days… and then having to go back to a more sensible diet afterwards, bah. Happily, I do have enough fond memories to fill Hall H; here’s but a few…
IRON CLAD
Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear restrictive cosplay. Thanks to an airline sponsorship tie-in, before I’d even got to my first Con (in 2014), I was strutting around Heathrow Terminal 5 decked out as Iron Man. I say strutting; because of the coin-slot eye-holes it was more a super-hesitant tip-toe. Yeah, well, I’d like to see Tony Stark manage without F.R.I.D.A.Y. in his ear, telling him to mind out for that pillar, or warning he’s about to roll his luggage wheels over the foot of yet another child wanting a high-five.
MANN APART
At Comic-Con, one must always expect the unexpected. I definitely didn’t expect the great Michael Mann, master of the forensically detailed crime drama, to be one of the star turns in Hall H, rubbing shoulders with the Boxtrolls presentation. Fair enough, he was promoting a movie starring Thor (2015’s Blackhat), and his name does actually sound a bit comic-book-y (‘Michael Mann… the superhero bitten by a radioactive Michael’). And it wasn’t the oddest scheduling juxtaposition I witnessed: that gold medal-slash-limited-edition pin goes to the explosion of colour, song and poop gags that was the Trolls/Boss Baby showcase followed by… Oliver Stone’s Snowden. Which wasn’t even animated!
PUTTING ON A SHOW
At no fewer than three separate Cons, I was unfortunate enough to attend exclusive round-table junkets for one of the world’s biggest genre TV shows. Unfortunate, because I somehow had never seen a single episode of said show. (Things are very different now; I have seen one single episode). Subbing for colleagues who had interview clashes, I winged it on the strength of those teammates’ strict briefings, plus some of my finest acting since playing a (rejected) ratcatcher in a school production of Pied Piper. As an Oscar-worthy example, when one of the stars solemnly said, “We all remember what happened to [vital figure character I didn’t know from Adam],” I lowered my eyes, nodded gravely and even braved a, “Ah, [name of character I luckily judged to be well-liked, not some perpetrator of unspeakable evil].” Guys, I’m available for season umpteenth…
THUMB NOTES
Technical hitches are to be expected at an event as big and busy as Comic-Con. Although one probably could make life easier for oneself by being sure to charge their laptop before it dies and disconnects from the company network on day two, leaving one to fumble out urgent stories at Flash-like speed on their uncooperative smartphone. Still, the odd minor typo aside, my review of Marvel’s The Defenestrators, with Luke Cagey and I, Ron Fist, turned out OK, I feel.
SUPERHERO WORSHIP
Another fubar, one I’m not (that) bitter about, was a scheduling mix-up that meant missing the Hall H appearances of Arnold Schwarzenegger (ah well, at least he was the only A-lister on the bill)... and surprise guest star Tom Cruise (damnit!). But I can’t moan, as I’ve been in the presence of someone bigger than both combined: OG Batman. Not to mention OG Robin and OG Catwoman; yes, the holy trinity - or holy trinity!, if you will - of Adam West, Burt Ward and Julie Newmar, side by side for a cheeky, charming, hilarious 60s-reunion Bat-panel. Forget the Iron Man cossie - I should’ve packed the tea towel I used to tie round my shoulders for caped crusades in the garden. Childhood bucket list kapow-ed! (Matthew Leyland)
The Wingman Quiz: Marvel family ties
Marvel’s first family the Fantastic Four arrives in cinemas this week… but how much do you know about the franchise’s other fams? Scroll down for the answers, and no asking Mum and Dad for help…
What’s the surname of Bruce Banner’s cousin Jennifer, aka She-Hulk?
a) Ross b) Jones c) Walters d) Green
Ramonda is the mother of which superhero?
a) Thor b) Black Panther c) Shang-Chi d) Groot
Laura Haddock plays Star-Lord’s mum in the first two Guardians of the Galaxy films… but in which other Marvel film does Haddock appear as a different character? a) Captain America: The First Avenger b) Iron Man 2 c) Eternals d) Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
In which film does Black Widow learn that her birth father’s name was Ivan?
a) Avengers Assemble b) Avengers: Infinity War c) Avengers: Endgame d) Black Widow
What relation is Sharon Carter to Peggy Carter?
a) granddaughter b) niece c) cousin d) they’re not related; the writers just couldn’t think of another surname
Quiz Answers
c) Walters
b) Black Panther
a) Captain America: The First Avenger (as ‘Autograph Seeker’)
c) Avengers: Endgame
b) niece
I've often thought about going to a comic con at some point. The only thing stopping me is I've never actually read any... erm... comics. I sort of presume that is as much a part of it as the series/films/pannels. As a Marvel nerd I am definitely trying to find a comic book which would be a good starting point as well as counting down the days until I see Fantastic Four on Thursday.