Domhnall Gleeson doesn't seem like the type of actor who would portray a 'Star Wars' villain. The 32-year-old Irish actor has played a lot of good guys in the past, from Bill Weasley in the 'Harry Potter' film series to a young man who travels through time for love in 'About Time' to a well-meaning programmer who wants to save an android in 'Ex Machina.'
But make no mistake. Domhnall Gleeson is playing a high-ranking First Order officer General Hux, and he is definitely as evil as they get.
"Yeah, I mean you look at him and you realize he's not a good guy!" Gleeson told Total Film magazine. "He's got an English accent so he can't be good."
Domhnall Gleeson also revealed that director J.J. Abrams' description of General Hux was "merciless," although the actor stopped himself before giving too much away. "Is that what he said?" he wondered.
Perhaps General Hux being merciless was one of the main reasons Domhnall Gleeson decided to take on the role. "I hadn't played anybody like that before," he admitted. "'Star Wars' is amazing, J.J. Abrams is amazing, but the thing to do was play something different. That's what got me really excited."
That doesn't mean he didn't geek out when he first got arrived on the 'Star Wars' set.
"That does sort of take your breath way," Gleeson said with a grin. "That's one of those 'pinch me' moments. I experienced it in a major way on 'Harry Potter' and it's a similar thing with 'Star Wars,' except you look down and you're in the gear and you have stuff to say and you're like, 'Holy God.' And yes, it's very difficult to remain cool about stuff like that. There's no two ways about it, it's totally brilliant."
See Domhnall Gleeson as General Hux in 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens,' which premieres on December 18.
