Hugh Grant IS FORGE

BY ALANA JOLI ABBOTT

Q:Dungeons & Dragons has a long cultural history and a strong fantasy aesthetic. What did you most enjoy about working in the D&D world?

HUGH GRANT: I’m slightly frightened of fantasy worlds, if truth be told. I can’t really cope with this one we live in, let alone new ones. I wanted to do this film more because the script and writer/directors made me laugh.

Based on the trailer, you’re playing a wealthy villain. What’s the most fun part of being the known villain of the piece?

I would not call myself a villain. I would call myself misunderstood.

In a big fantasy film like this, there’s a lot of interaction with sets and pieces that will be added to the film in post-production. What’s the hardest part of working with special effects like that?

I was particularly terrified of one of the red wizards. She looked like my old art teacher, Mr. Pye. He was mad and used to paint us blue.

Were you familiar with D&D before being cast in the film? Are you a gamer yourself?

I’m afraid I’m not a gamer myself. Unless you include tennis.

The game is known for its improv at the table. How much improv were you, as actors, encouraged to do within the script. Are there moments we should be watching out for?

I think I bunged a few things in. It’s hard to stop me. But on the whole, the script didn’t need enhancements. [Michael Gilio, John Francis Daley, and Jonathan Goldstein] are very good writers.