Have you ever done something just because you could, without considering whether you should? erret76 Haha! Well, that’s very good. Of course, it quotes the line from Michael Crichton’s brilliant book [Jurassic Park], and then the movie by Steven Spielberg. It’s an interesting idea; you hear people talking about AI. People are weighing in daily about whether we should put a little halt on the progress and use some restraint, wisdom and discretion with the development of AI. Not unlike the genetic opportunities in that movie. Me, myself, you ask. Well, probably all the time. I’m aspiring to think more deeply about whether I should do one thing or another, just because I can. Did you and Emma Thompson hurt yourselves in that sex scene in The Tall Guy or was it choreographed? LilyBee I have a lot of affection for that movie. The great Richard Curtis, of course. It was his first screenplay. He makes an appearance. I’m in a hallway and he comes out of the bathroom as a moustached man. It’s a small part but he’s pure quicksilver. And no, the scene was very choreographed. It was the great Emma Thompson’s first movie. She is a person who inspires such respect. She’s so gracious, elegant, brilliant and kind that we were able to do that demanding scene without injury, hurt feelings or psychic injuries. You’re one of Hollywood’s most prominent Jewish actors, yet that doesn’t seem to have been a part of your identity you’ve been particularly interested in exploring on screen. Is this just a question of not having been offered the right role? JamesMackay I did do a [2008] movie that the wonderful Paul Schrader directed called Adam Resurrected. So you may be enlightened to know that I did do a movie where one element of the character had to do with Jewish identity. Your latest album, Plays Well With Others, includes a cover of Moon River that has been recorded by Audrey Hepburn, Louis Armstrong, Barbra Streisand and Morrissey. How do you go about bringing something fresh to your arrangements? VerulamiumParkRanger That’s a good question. There’s always a challenge with anything that’s been done before. I admire all those people and recordings. I’d have to give credit to my fellow musicians for helping create something that hopefully sounds interesting and fresh. I play with such great people and at these lovely places like Glastonbury, Ronnie Scott’s and the Royal Festival Hall. I’m on my toes and want to do my best. Somehow this whole music element of my life is less identified for me. I’ve always been more challenged by my nervous system by acting than the piano. Even though I’m on my toes and very excited, I’m kind of relaxed. I’m not doing it with any careerist idea. The adventure, fun and passion have bled over in a nice way. I’m respectful and serious about music and acting. But I still manage to have a whale of a time. What was your experience of working with Michael Winner [in 1977 The Sentinel]? Bauhaus66 We had done Death Wish – my very first time on a movie set. In my very first scene, he screamed at me in front of everybody – before we rolled, while we were rehearsing: “Goldblum! Start acting!” It was not the worst direction I ever got. By the time we did my part in The Sentinel, he was lovely to me. I’d wish I’d had Wikipedia, because I would’ve asked Michael Winner about having worked with Brando a couple of years before that. How much fun did you have making Thor: Ragnarok? You looked like you were having a blast! catchytitled Taika [Waititi, director] is spectacular. There was a nice script and we did all those lines. But on set, he kept saying: “Here are 10 other ideas. Keep the camera rolling and say this and say this.” I had several ideas and started to make things up. I had a grand old time and he allowed me to play piano. He said: “What if your Grandmaster character in this fantasy room of his palace has a band and a keyboard?” So I played a little bit in the movie. The Grand Budapest Hotel features an absurdly strong cast of Academy and Bafta-winning/nominated Hollywood veterans. Do you ever get nervous working along side such talent? ExileCuChulain Well, nervous and excited, once again wanting to do my best and humbled by the opportunity to work with Wes Anderson, with whom I’ve been lucky to do a couple of other things. The talented people are often the ones who are also very down to earth and put you at ease. He [Anderson] is so particular, individual and such a wondrously artful guy, his personality can take over. One thing is that he likes his material to be meticulously rendered. In The Grand Budapest Hotel, I had a big speech. I had worked on it a lot, and changed a “the” to an “and” or an “and” to a “the”. I didn’t talk to him about it. After a couple of takes, he said: “I see that you’re changing that word.” I said: “Yes, it’s not without thought. Here’s my thinking …” He said: “Yes, I understand all that. Please keep it as it is written.” He’s costumed you, the production design is wonderful, but everything is very specific. He loves actors and he’s very creative. But he’s very particularly Wes Anderson. Whose idea was it to have so many shirt buttons open in Jurassic Park? Shauny79 I cannot remember. It was … 1993? I don’t think it was in the script. I don’t think I suggested it. I don’t remember Mr Steven Spielberg suggesting it. Maybe it was Richard Attenborough who begged me to lose a couple more buttons? If you were a cheese, what cheese would you be? BrianBraddock Ooh, what an interesting question. There’s a cheese called Colby-Jack. I’d just like that name. If I were to play any character, I wouldn’t mind playing a character named Colby Jack. Or how about Pepper Jack? I’d like to be Pepper Jack. I may start checking into hotels as Colby or Pepper Jack. Is it irritating to you that you are so good at everything? Andwilson58 What a question. I’m sure they mean it as an insult, as a velvet glove. I’m not good at everything. I’m a humble student. I fall way short in many things, but I try not to be irritated. I try to take it as a humbling lesson and an opportunity to grow. I can think of a million things. I’m not a bad packer – although I leave it till the last minute – but I’m a horrible folder. I’m not a very good cook. I’m not particularly handy around the house. I have a bad sense of direction. I’m not good with technology. I got sent something yesterday that I needed to print out, but the printer always confounds me, so Emily, my wonderful wife, always has to help me. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. I lack innate ability about a lot of things, but when I’m motivated, I’m always happy to learn. If Wes Anderson was directing and my character had to fold, cook, read maps and print stuff out, I’d spend extra hours after school, learning! Plays Well with Others by Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra is out now. Asteroid City is in cinemas 23 June.