Loading...
Reload document 
Open in new tab EXCLUSIVE
A STUNTMAN revealed how he has “become” superstar actor Rami Malek to double for him in the new James Bond movie.
French-born Sebastien Soudais, 36, immersed himself in the high-octane film so much he “erased” his own personality.
He practised Rami’s stance and body gestures everywhere he went – even in the bathroom – and learned to see inside his head to copy his mental attitude. And he regularly sent the US star videos of himself mimicking his walk and other movements for approval or correction.
The plot of the new film, codenamed Bond 25, is shrouded in secrecy. But it has been billed as having the most dangerous stunts in the franchise’s history Daniel Craig’s fifth and final as 007.
Rami, 38, who won an Oscar for his incredible portrayal of Freddie Mercury in the Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, has been cast as the yet un-named villain. And Sebastien, a kung fu champion who has appeared in a series of other films since 2003, will be taking the brunt of the bruises in a series of fights, falls and other explosive escapades.
In an exclusive interview Sebastien said: “I’ve had to erase my own personality and become Rami. He is a big part of the movie so I’m on screen for quite a lot.
“The two of us worked together before shooting started. I had to learn all about his body, gestures, movement, attitude, get inside his head, mimic him in every way and fully understand how he functions.
“I have become Rami Malik. I spent weeks in London working with his movement coach Polly Bennett.
“I practised in the street, in my bathroom and sent videos of me “being” Rami to him and Polly to give me feedback. Rami’s a very generous man and helped me a lot. “You have to erase your own personality, the way you move and walk, and become someone else. I had to match Rami perfectly – height, size, chest, back.”
The film, which has been dogged by troubles, is set in locations including Norway, Italy and Scotland but opens with James Bond retired from active service in the Caribbean.
Earlier this year Daniel Craig was pictured at Goldeneye, the Jamaican home of 007 creator Ian Fleming, with cast members Lea Seydoux, Ana de Armas, Naomie Harris and Lashana Lynch.
Problems have included 51-year-old Daniel suffering an ankle injury and several writers, including Phoebe Waller- Bridge of Fleabag fame, being brought in to rescue the script.
But Sebastien, who said he had “learned a lot of new tricks” during production, vowed: “It’s a huge challenge but everyone is working towards the same goal to make it the best Bond ever.”