Peter Serafinowicz Interview

‘Killing Bono’ is a new film telling the tale of two brothers who attempt to become global rock stars but can only look on as old school friends U2 become the biggest band in the world.

At the London Premiere we caught up with one of the film’s stars Peter Serafinowicz.

“I play this guy called Hammond who is the manager of this ragtag
band of brothers. He really embodies that seedy, 1980s, drug and
drink and women fuelled culture.”

This kind of character is seemingly right up Serafinowicz’s street
though:

“It was great fun to do, he’s just kind of scum and it’s always fun to
play someone scummy. I felt quite grimy for a few weeks after
playing him! He’s so seedy, it’s horrible, but I did quite like him
and it was a fun part to do.”

However, he wasn’t too comfortable telling us if he had anyone in
mind when playing this seedy character:

“Ummm, well, no (Deciding whether to give a name or not!) Maybe
I based him on a couple of people I’ve met in my life, and he is
based on a real person who I subsequently got to meet afterwards
but I can’t say who he is as I don’t want him to be offended...or her!”

“I didn’t tell them that I was playing him or her in the film. But it was actually someone who was a bit of a hero of mine.”

When the opportunity to become involved in the film came about, Serafinowicz was convinced straight away and he was full of praise for his co-stars:

“Nick Hamm, the director really let me play around with it. And Ben (Barnes) and Robbie (Sheehan) are brilliant. They are really funny guys; they were the second and third funniest guys on set!”

“And I got to work with Pete Postlethwaite which for any actor is such an honour, and of course it is very sad that he has died. He was very ill when we did it, though you wouldn’t know. He gives a really striking performance, although I imagine he was in a lot of pain. He was just brilliant, an inspiration to everyone who worked on the film.”

Serafinowicz said though he was yet to meet the McCormick brothers on who the film was based.

“I haven’t met them, I know Neil on Twitter, though I hope I will meet them tonight!”