Rush as Captain Barbossa in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

He lifts every film he stars in. He has won every major performance award — the Oscar, the Golden Globe, the BAFTA and the Tony. He is one actor who can fit into any period, any space and any film. From a Korean war epic like The Warrior’s Way to the Oscar-tipped British drama The King’s Speech to Pirates of the Caribbean 4, Geoffrey Rush is at ease in all his recent projects. He took time out to answer a few of our questions on email.

The Warrior’s Way looks like a very Korean enterprise on paper. What made you sign the film?

The Warrior’s Way is an Asian perspective on the rich history and heritage of the American Western. The film is like a great fable. It’s so pure. There are so many beautiful and disturbing images as well as enormous storytelling energy to it that is timeless and universal. And, of course, it is always a strong script that makes me sign a movie. So whether it is a Korean enterprise or a Russian, American or even an Indian enterprise, it does not matter.

You have worked with Shekhar Kapur in the past (both the Elizabeth films). Do non-American filmmakers like Shekhar and Sngmoo Lee bring a different sensibility to the table?

In a way they do! For instance take the case of Lee. Lee can understand the Korean sensibility really well and if it had to be put in a movie and pitched to the world audience, Lee can do it really well. Kapur also holds fort when it comes to this point.

Geoffrey Rush (right) with Helena Bonham Carter and Colin Firth in The King’s Speech

You play the town drunk! Of course, this is not the first time you are playing a drunk. Is it a challenge to portray a drunk?

I thought drinking was a fun thing to do, you make it sound very difficult! I think it is the mime classes that I attended in college that helped me. And what’s life without a few challenges!

After all these years when you are given a character to play, do you incorporate your own little nuances, make the little changes so that you can play him best?

I like to stick to the script. Yes I do have a mind of my own but I also respect my director’s vision. If I have contradictory opinions then I do voice my thoughts loud and clear and sort things out.

Months apart you do a film like The King’s Speech and a film like The Warrior’s Way. Is your internal make-up different for such contrasting genres and treatments?

My passion for cinema leads me to do such things. But trust me there can also be a time when I don’t do a movie for a while because the scripts that come my way are not tempting enough. So it is all a good script’s fault.

You have won the Oscar, the Emmy, the Golden Globe, the BAFTA, the Tony... almost every award in the book. What’s left to achieve for Geoffrey Rush?

A lot more good movies to film for.

Soon, you will be back with yet another Pirates of the Caribbean film. Is it as exciting for you as it is for us?

We have done our best… now all I can say is Captain Barbossa wants you to wait and watch!