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Luke Hemsworth Interview: On His Role in "Kill Me Three Times" and Being Cast in HBO's "Westworld"

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Image attributed to Luke Hemsworth

Luke Hemsworth

Luke Hemsworth is the oldest brother of actors Chris and Liam and is probably best known for his role as Nathan Tyson in the Australian soap opera Neighbours. Other television appearances are in The Saddle Club, Blue Heelers, Last Man Standing, All Saints, Satisfaction and the six-part miniseries Bikie Wars: Brothers in Arms. Films include The Reckoning and The Anomaly.

Hemsworth (as mechanic Dylan Smith) fights for the woman he loves in Kill Me Three Times, from rising star director Kriv Stenders. The film is a darkly comedic thriller that also stars Simon Pegg, Alice Braga, Teresa Palmer and Sullivan Stapleton. It is available on Ultra VOD on March 26 and opens in Los Angeles on April 10, 2015.

"Fuck me! (laughs). To be honest, I don’t think that was in the original script that I read. I think that was an added bonus that came afterward (laughs). I think a lot of the film was shaped by Simon Pegg’s performance and attitude. I think it was that and a whole bunch of other things Simon brought to the film. He created a tone which everyone kind of picked up and went with throughout the shoot, which was an interesting kind of dynamic. But it was ultimately great."

Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): Luke, how did you get involved in Kill Me Three Times?

Luke Hemsworth: I was sent the script, and I read it very quickly, which is always a good sign. I spoke to Kriv (Stenders), the director, and we were on kind of the same page of this character, what his wants and desires were and where he was headed. Then I went and did a chemistry read with Alice Braga where we both had a wonderful kind of relaxed screen test together with Kriv on Skype. I thought it went really well. It seemed to go well for everyone else as well so here we are.

Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): Three different murder plots going on, and basically the hot mechanic saves the day (laughs).

Luke Hemsworth: (laughs) So it should be, right? Never underestimate your local mechanic.

Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): I don’t think I’ve ever heard a film open with the words, “Fuck me!” I guess that was supposed to be an attention grabber?

Luke Hemsworth: (laughs) Fuck me! (laughs). To be honest, I don’t think that was in the original script that I read. I think that was an added bonus that came afterward (laughs). I think a lot of the film was shaped by Simon Pegg’s performance and attitude. I think it was that and a whole bunch of other things Simon brought to the film. He created a tone which everyone kind of picked up and went with throughout the shoot, which was an interesting kind of dynamic. But it was ultimately great.

Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): This was filmed in and around Perth, and you’re from Melbourne. That’s quite a distance apart.

Luke Hemsworth: Yeah. It’s literally across an entire continent. I had been to Perth city before, but this was even more remote in west Australia about three and a half hours south of Perth in a tiny little country town with beaches and huge waves, wonderful wine and cheeses and produce. Just an incredible bonus for me as a human and as an actor to be able to go to that part of the world, that part of the country, experience that and get paid to do it as well.

Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): More than Chris and Liam, your acting gigs have been primarily in Australia. How long have you lived in Los Angeles?

Luke Hemsworth: I’ve been here for about two and a half years. It’s never really been about besting each other. It’s about the work and having some kind of career of substance for all of us. There are far more opportunities here, unfortunately, than there are in Australia.

The ironic part is, of course, as soon as I move here, I get a part back in Australia … two parts actually. Directly after this, I shot a little film called Infini, which is an amazing kind of sci-fi incredible ride into the psyche of crazy individuals. It was another amazing experience, which I’m sure I’ll chat with you about in the upcoming weeks.

Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): Sounds intriguing. You did a few episodes on an Australian soap opera called Neighbours. Did you enjoy the fast pace with very little rehearsal time?

Luke Hemsworth: I think it’s a great place to cut your teeth, to pick up your stripes and learn your shit. What better way to learn than in the hot seat in the frying pan? It was great, a huge eye opener for me in terms of exactly that, learning lines, getting it all out and getting it done with very little room to collaborate or change things. It’s just basically go, go, go.

Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): Have you ever wanted to do an American TV series?

Luke Hemsworth: I’m about to start an HBO show called Westworld, which starts shooting soon. It’s based on an old film with Yul Brynner and is a Michael Crichton story, directed and written by Lisa Joy and Jonathan Nolan. It’s a huge cast and a huge deal for me. We start shooting in LA. I’m very excited to kind of crank that off.

Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): Very cool. Congratulations! Why did you want to become an actor, Luke?

Luke Hemsworth: I don’t know. It was just something that stuck with me forever. I don’t think I ever said, “This is what I want to do. I want to be a actor.” It was just something that never ever kind of left me, kind of like drawing and sports. It all kind of went hand in hand.

There was never a point in my life where I felt like I needed to do something completely out there. Each one of those things was something I did since I was a kid, and even when I started a business where I was doing floors, I still continued to be an actor and do classes until I started getting involved again. Then the ball started rolling.

Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): Who got into the most trouble as kids?

Luke Hemsworth: (laughs) Being the oldest, I have to say, “Hey, it was me!” I had to break a lot of the rules. I think the younger boys had it pretty easy.

Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): You were always blamed for the misdeeds whether guilty or not?

Luke Hemsworth: Always, yes. It was usually me though. I’ll take the blame. I have to say I’m pretty bad (laughs).

Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): Do the three of you discuss scripts or roles that are offered?

Luke Hemsworth: Very rarely. I think we’ve all got our teams that we trust. There are definitely things that come along between us that we discuss, but most of the time it’s more about parenting and who’s going to look after the dog for the next couple of weeks.

Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): Any other projects you wish to discuss?

Luke Hemsworth: I’ve got Infini, which is the film I shot just after this one, directed by Shane Abbess who directed Gabriel a number of years ago. It is just an insane ride. Basically you get punched in the face for two hours, but it’s a happy punch, you know? It makes you feel good at the end.

Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): Tom Cruise does some very dangerous stunts for the new Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation film, like hanging on the side of a plane in flight. Would you ever attempt to do that for a film?

Luke Hemsworth: Yeah for sure. I love it. I’ve always been a bit of an adrenaline junkie. I was big into rock climbing when I was in my teenage years, did hang gliding and stuff. I don’t have a problem with that, so yeah, I’d do it.

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