Rami Malek explains howThe Amateurbrings his career full circle.The Amateuris an upcoming spy movie that tells the story of a CIA cryptographerwho blackmails his group into training him to hunt down a terrorist group that killed his wife in London.The Amateurfeatures a leading cast including Malek, Holt McCallany, Rachel Brosnahan, Caitriona Balfe, Julianne Nicholson,Laurence Fishburne, Takehiro Hira, Adrian Martinez, Joseph Millson, Alice Hewkin, and Marc Rissmann. It is directed by James Hawes with a screenplay co-written by Evan Katz, Ken Nolan, and Gary Spinelli.
In an exclusive interview withScreen Rant, Malek explains the arc of his career. He begins by explaining the origins of his career doing “Marine boot camp” forThe Pacific. Between shows like this andMr. Robot,he has been “taught lessons that [he] never would have been privy to otherwise.“He feels thatThe Amateuris “an evolution” from the character of Elliot inMr. Robot. He then goes on to explain more about his character inThe Amateur, saying he has to “discover” his worth after losing his soulmate, Sarah. Check out the full quote from Malek below:
It’s odd. I went from doing a miniseries, The Pacific that was produced by Hanks and Spielberg, and doing Marine boot camp. I, oddly, can probably still shoot an M1 Garand from the ’40s, or fire off a 60mm mortar. And those are all the things that Charlie Heller cannot, so you learn something from every film. It’s the greatest job in the world, sometimes, because you’re taught lessons that you never would have been privy to otherwise. But you take something from every aspect.
Yeah, there were things I learned from Mr. Robot. It’s an evolution from that character. Here is someone who has found a soulmate in Sarah, who’s played by Rachel Brosnahan, who is so gregarious, and what I refer to as a supernova, and the fact that she would find herself tethered to a guy like Charlie is an explanation of worth that he seems to have to discover after the loss of her. Which is sad, but he does, and he does it in a very impactful, explosive manner.
What The Amateur Means For Malek’s Career
A Mr. Robot Comparison Is A Good Thing
It is interesting to hearMalek trace his careergrowth back toThe Pacific. Though Malek played a role in this show and several other titles in this early stage of his career, it was not untilMr. Robotthat things kicked off for Malek. Playing the lead role in the USA Network series earned him an Emmy win for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, and paved the path for his future roles. This would lead to anOscar-winning performance as Freddie Mercury inBohemian Rhapsody, among other key parts.
Mr Robot: 5 Characters Who Got Fitting Endings (And 5 Who Deserved More)
Mr. Robot ended with a bang of a series finale. But while some characters got the closure they deserved, others should have gotten a better send-off.
It is interesting to hear Malek say that his part inThe Amateuris a continuation of Elliot. Not only was Elliot his most iconic role and claim to fame, but he is a very distinct character. Elliot has a stilted sense of emotionality and generally dissociation from the world, even as intense situations unfold around him. From Malek’s description ofThe Amateur,the film holds some similar qualities to theMr. Robotstoryline, making for a fascinating leap in Malek’s career.
Our Take On Malek’s Role In The Amateur
Malek Is An Incredibly Skilled Actor
Even as an Emmy and Oscar winner, Malek is one of the more underappreciated actors of his generation.Malek carries a confidence and idiosyncratic emotional depth to all his roles, whether that be his flashy lead inBohemian Rhapsodyor his understated, charming part of Nate in the star-making indie filmShort Term 12. If he can infuse any of this energy intoThe Amateur, it will elevate the film to greatness.
The Amateur
Cast
The Amateur follows a brilliant yet introverted CIA decoder whose life is upended when his wife is killed in a London terrorist attack. Defying his supervisors' inaction, he embarks on a personal mission to seek justice.
