http://trekweb.com/articles/2005/12/04/439363184d509.shtml
In an exclusive interview with ComingSoon.net, STAR TREK DEEP SPACE NINE actor Alexander Siddig talks about his upcoming movie SYRIANA and his feelings on being typecast because of the character of Doctor Julian Bashir. Here are a few excerpts. CS: What was it about this movie that drew you to do it? Siddig: It would be impossible not to be drawn to this movie as an actor, especially as an Arabic actor or someone who works on the ethnic fringe in a small vein of one of the many seams of acting. To pass up or not be interested in someone who seems normal and real would be crazy. I end up speaking so grandly, when I don't know if I have the right to, but to pass up the diplomatic potential of a character like this would be really foolish. I think whether you're in the Middle East or in Europe or America, you can identify with this person. CS: So being in these two movies, you've kind of escaped the "STAR TREK curse". Were you aware that some actors go into STAR TREK and never do anything else? Siddig: Yeah, yeah, I'm aware of that. I'm just in a very bizarre niche and there aren't many people you can go to, but I blame Ridley Scott really, because he was the person who went "I love STAR TREK and I'd love it if you were in my movie" and people like Oliver Stone went "I hated STAR TREK, and I don't want you in Alexander!" I was really lucky there. But it is Ridley Scott's fault, because he was the one who put me in a grown-up movie. I mean I've been in other movies, but there are different kinds of parts in movies, I found out. There are parts that you can do them all your life, and no one knows you're even acting, and there are other parts which people notice that you're in and you become an actor from the movies and people take you in a whole different way. Whether or not I can keep that ball rolling is another matter. But I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for STAR TREK, so it's pretty great, and it means that I'm a relatively friendly face to a lot of Americans and it's useful for that rather pretentious diplomatic trip I'm on. CS: Any idea what's next for you? Siddig: The thing I'm most interested is about HANNIBAL, an epic about Hannibal, but it's a low budget one. It's not the Vin Diesel one. We've only got one elephant. (Note: That last part was probably a joke.) CS: Have any of the Arab or Palestinian directors come to you to appear in their films? Siddig: They wouldn't come to me yet, because I'm very much a Western actor. Even though I would love to be all kinds of things. I'm definitely a Hollywood person. Not enough yet, but that's where I am. CS: You directed an episode of DEEP SPACE NINE, so would directing be something you'd want to pursue? Siddig: If I'm lucky enough and if I ever get smart enough to direct, I'll direct again, but I've gotta write my own stuff, and that means reading a book someday. The full interview can be found here http://www.comingsoon.net/news/topnews.php?id=12214 --------------------------------- Yahoo! Shopping Find Great Deals on Holiday Gifts at Yahoo! Shopping [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Life without art & music? Keep the arts alive today at Network for Good! http://us.click.yahoo.com/7zgKlB/dnQLAA/Zx0JAA/LRMolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/scifinoir2/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
