Interview: Faster’s The Killer

CBS Films is entering the action genre with director George Tillman’s Faster, a gritty, action-packed revenge film starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. If anyone is going to stop the “Driver” [Johnson's character], it could be the “Killer”, playing by newcomer, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, who has the task of taking “Driver” out.

Cohen had been previously seen in Going the Distance and in some BBC drama series. Killer Film catches up with him, as he talks about Faster, Dwayne Johnson, and Maggie Grace.

Jon: When did Faster come to you and what got you excited about signing on to play “The Killer” in the film?

Oliver Jackson-Cohen: I moved to LA and was it was about two weeks when my agent called said he had a script that is starring Dwayne Johnson and it’s about a hit-man. I read it and was blown away, since it was a clever script based in reality. It stripped away the fantasy of the idea, giving us real persons who have to go on after [what happens in the film] and live with themselves.

I said make this happen and I met George Tillman [the director] and it all happened in a matter of weeks. Just crazy. I had to meet Dwayne so George Tillman can see what we look like next to each other. He’s a beast! We’re actually the same height, and it was written so well, with parallel story arcs. Hope you all have seen it, if not – go see it!

Jon: Faster is different than other films in your short career, as it’s more action-orientated than say, Going the Distance, obviously. But how did you handle the script’s action and challenges?

Oliver Jackson-Cohen: It was traumatic training, I had no idea. We had to start shooting in the end of February so I had to immediately start my training. George and I were very adamant that I’m ready for the role, so we trained for eight weeks straight, for six days. Weight lifting, gun training, car training – everything. Martial arts, as well. It was quite a lot really to get your head around, it was so intense. It was great, however, since it brought something else to the character. He’s incredible manic; he needs to be the best. It was so lucky to get that training as it was something I haven’t ever done before. I remember thinking maybe I can’t do this? Finally, I just got my shit together. [laughs] It was brutal, and even when we were filming the trainers and I were on-set rehearsing more stuff. Everything I have ever wanted to do in a film, I did in Faster [laughs].

Jon: Well, it can’t be that brutal when Maggie Grace is playing Lilly, your character’s girlfriend. [Sarcastically] How hard was it to have chemistry with her?

Oliver Jackson-Cohen: I really, really, really can’t complain! [laughs] We have a ton of beauty in this film with obviously Maggie [Grace], Carla [Gugino], and Moon [Bloodgood]. I actually had to test with a load of girls, and while they were all brilliant and beautiful, but when Maggie came in, I knew she was going to be cast as Lilly. She brought something else in, a motherly attitude, but not over-powering, and intertwined in sexuality. I was so lucky to work with her.

Jon: The film has a great male cast, as well, with Dwayne Johnson, Billy Bob Thornton, and Tom Berenger. How was it working with them?

Oliver Jackson-Cohen: Brilliant, mate. [laughs] I met everyone properly during read-through and I had to sit next to Billy Bob Thornton and I just didn’t know what to say to him. I was the one everyone was taking a risk on, the new guy in a veteran cast, came out of the blue, even the studio was taking a risk, yet they all made me feel very comfortable. Billy Bob came up to me, knowing it was my first big film, telling me not to worry about it, gave me his number, understanding how I felt. Even Dwayne did they same. George was an incredible man, as it all helped me to be at ease, to do my job.

Faster is currently in theaters now.