Luke: I’ll never return to music 2004

Jul 21, 2004

The Sun Celebrity Chat 2004

Luke: I’ll never return to music

By SINEAD O’NEILL

AS one of the biggest stars of the 80s, former Bros heart-throb Luke Goss had the world at his feet.

But after a string of top 10 hits, a Brit Award for Best Newcomer and a series of sell-out gigs across the globe, the band split in 1991 after just three years at the top of the charts.

Now, 10 years on, Luke has swapped drums for the big-screen as the star of real-life 60s gangster thriller Charlie.

And he told us he’s never been happier.

In our exclusive webchat, the former boyband frontman revealed all about the film, including his meeting with the real Charlie Richardson, and why he never wants to return to music.

But the actor, who starred alongside Wesley Snipes in Blade II, admitted that the one thing he does miss are his adoring fans… and their outrageous antics.

So read on to find out more about his love of gangster movies, working with EastEnders’ Den and Angie and his next role as horror favorite Frankenstein.

How did you get involved in Charlie?
Gareth, Lincoln

The producers asked me would I be interested and I jumped at the chance because it is such a good story.

When I got the script, I loved it so I read Charlie’s (Richardson) book and met the director Malcolm Needs.

I said to him: “I need to meet Charlie, I need to see this man.”

So a couple of days later I met Charlie, decided I definitely wanted to do the film and within six weeks we were shooting.

I’m a big fan of gangster movies but find they can sometimes be one-sided. How did you achieve a balance in Charlie?
Victor, Yeovil

The movie covers the rivalry between the Krays – who ruled most of the East End of London – and the Richardsons who ruled the South, up until the period when Charlie was finally arrested.

He was put away for 25 years and the film covers the trial and the various inconsistencies that went along with it.

We did try to cover the story from both sides because as much as it is Charlie’s story, we didn’t want it to be one-sided.

My opinion of him as a man is my own but as an actor, I think it’s important to tell a story that leaves the audience with answers.

How did you feel when you met the real Charlie Richardson and what did he think about the film?
Judith Tanner, London

It was intimidating meeting Charlie at first because I was aware of what he had done and what he’s alleged to have done.

He’s quite a legend in South London and it is scary meeting someone like that in person.

I was also nervous because I knew I was going to play him so I was trying to look into his eyes and think “can I actually play this man?”

But he was very happy with it and even ‘Mad’ Frankie Fraser – an old friend of Charlie’s – told me I’d done him proud.

It’s good to hear that but it is a double-sided coin – I wanted to keep Charlie happy but also wanted to ensure I hadn’t overplayed the character either.

I’m glad he’s happy with the film but the big judgement is really the people in the street as their reaction is the only way to tell if you have done a good job or not.

It’s especially hard for me with my history in Bros because I know it can affect how people see my work.

Hi Luke – I was a big fan of yours when you were in Bros but why did you make the decision to move into acting?
Geraldine, Gravesend

I started off in theatre, both locally and in the West End.

I then toured with Grease all over the country and although it was hard work, I fell totally love in love with acting.

Trying to portray actions and emotions in theatre can be difficult because it has so much to do with performance whereas in film, if you think it, believe it and are it, the camera picks up on your role.

I love the honesty of film and for me, movies are where it’s at.

How did you feel working with Leslie Grantham and Anita Dobson – Den and Angie Watts from EastEnders – in Charlie?
Kelly Swansborough, Surrey

I have worked with the two of them before on a TV show called The Stretch.

Anita, who plays my mum in Charlie, is a beautiful person and one of the most incredible people I’ve ever met. She’s also a brilliant actress.

I didn’t actually have any scenes with her in the movie and only had about three with Leslie who only had a cameo role in the film.

On The Stretch I worked with him a bit more, but we didn’t really have time to socialize or build up a rapport because we were so hectic all the time.

Anita, on the other hand, I really clicked with. She is best known for her role in EastEnders but she’s a great actor who, I think, is worthy of a much higher accolade.

What was the strangest thing that happened to you during your time in Bros?
Lucy, Poole

There were literally hundreds of mad scenarios but one that springs to mind was when we were touring in Canada and the doors got ripped off our limo.

Loads of fans piled in the car and it took 10 minutes to get them all out one by one. That was a very claustrophobic feeling.

One great memory was when I walked into my hotel room in Italy and found a girl lying naked on my bed. I thought to myself: “This is why I became a musician!”

Another fan had my name tattooed on her arm which I always felt really guilty about that – I mean, she’d have to find a boyfriend called Luke.

I always found it a compliment when they named their children after me but tattoos were a bit worrying!

Are you a fan of gangster movies?
Kiera, Carlisle

I think everyone loves them, especially American movies like The Godfather and Goodfellas.

For me personally, The Long Good Friday is the best because it isn’t as stylised as Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels.

Charlie is made along similar lines – it isn’t designed to be a Hollywood movie. Instead, it’s an English gangster film which is done really well.

Did Leslie Grantham give you any tips on playing a tough guy?
Zoe Alexander

Leslie and myself have a different approach to acting and Leslie’s idea of a ‘tough guy’ is very different to mine.

I didn’t want to play Charlie like a thug. Instead, he is aware that when he loses his temper, he gets very dangerous hence he’s always trying to keep himself composed.

I am also a method actor whereas Leslie isn’t and I find that I have to really ‘play’ the character and stay in that role all day.

Leslie doesn’t do that but that’s the brilliant thing about acting – everyone is different.

Golden days … Luke with twin brother Matt

Will you ever make a return to music?
Stefanie

Never – even if my film career starts to go downhill.

I enjoyed making music while I was a kid but the whole industry nowdays is very volatile and precarious.

It has become so over-saturated now and is riddled with benign music that doesn’t inspire you.

While there is good music out there, it’s almost as if the business has become dominated with a thousand different music chains, all offering the same thing.

I personally think music is a great tonic but so much of it today lacks any genuine foundation.

Besides, I’ve got three films out this year plus three more still to make so acting is what I do now.

It isn’t a whim – I’ve been making films for a decade now which is twice as long as I was a musician

Hi Luke – is it true you are going to star in the sequel to The Long Good Friday?
Jennifer, Hull

The producers have asked me to do it and I would love too – if the script is good and the character valid, I will definitely do it.

One of the main reasons for that is because all the original characters – Bob Hoskins, Pierce Bronson and Helen Mirren – are set to return because the film will be set 25 years later.

That means it’s not just The Long Good Friday: Part 2 but will be more like a continuation of the original.

Are your fans still as devoted to you as they were during your Bros days?
Harriet, Kent

Yes – the only difference is they don’t camp outside my house anymore!

When Blade II came out, it did well but I know that it did better because my fans went to see it.

I would love to see them more however – that’s the one difference between my music and film careers that I miss. I don’t get the chance to see my fans as much as I’d like.

I always really enjoyed meeting the fans during my time in Bros – seeing their faces light up was a massive compliment.

I’m a big fan of both you and your twin brother Matt. What do you think about Matt’s music?
Joanna, North London

I am a fan of anything he does because he is my brother. He’s also a very talented man and a great musician.

When his single came out, I went into a record shop in London to buy it and the cashier did a double take. He thought I was Matt because we still look so alike.

I will always support Matt because he’s my brother and he should be a huge, huge star.

Is it true that you don’t speak to Craig (Logan) anymore?
Sarah, Dundee

It is true, yes.

There’s no reason we don’t speak to be honest – we’re not friends and he’s not family.

There are no hard feelings or anything, it’s just that we have no need to see each other.

We do have a slight history – there were some differences regarding money – but Craig is doing well for himself so as long as he’s happy, I’m happy.

At the end of the day, we were young during our time with Bros and it was just a phase in our history.

Dark … Luke plays Frankenstein next

What other movie projects have you got lined up for the future? Lee, Middlesex

I’m working on a wonderful project called Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein which is based on – and is true to – her novel.

I play Frankenstein’s Monster alongside Donald Sutherland and William Hurt.

It’s actually a beautiful story and very different from the lurchy character that is often portrayed in films.

I also have a film out in Asia called Silver Hawk, with Michelle Yeoh from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

And I’ve also done a supernatural thriller called Cold And Dark in which I play the main character of John Dark.

What is your ideal film role?
Judith Tanner, London

I ideally like isolated characters and anything that is quite dark.

I also enjoy the idea of anti-heroes that people can enjoy in isolation.

There is talk that I might do a spaghetti western and also a movie called ShadowDragon in which I play a superhero.

He’s not a typical ‘superhero’ though; he’s very dark and a cross between Shaft and Blade, only white.

I’ve also been asked to do a war movie so I’m definitely not looking to be typecast as the ‘cute’ guy!

# Charlie is released on February 6. 2004