Pressing Questions With Henry Golding
It’s hard to imagine a time in which Henry Golding was a relatively unknown name, but thankfully those days are well and truly behind us. The Malaysian-born actor shot to fame when he starred as Nick Young in the blockbuster movie Crazy Rich Asians (2018), and has since gone on to showcase his acting range in spine-tingling thriller A Simple Favour and Paul Feig’s Last Christmas.
It was only fair that he would make things right and go on to spearhead a superhero origin story, which is exactly what he does in the new action movie Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins, which hits non-locked-down Australian cinemas this week. Still harbouring trauma from the murder of his father when he was a child, Golding plays the titular character, whose desire for revenge leads him to a Ninja clan in Japan called the Arashikage. And guys, it’s safe to say that a whole lot of kick-ass action scenes ensue.
But we wanted some insight into the man behind the mask. Who does Henry Golding admire? Has he seen any good movies lately? What are his thoughts on his hair?
By springing all these on the actor at a virtual press junket without warning, we were confident we’d find the answers.
What is the meaning of life?
Garner as many stories as you can around the firepit, and relish the moments you have with your loved ones.
Something COVID taught you
Friends and family are so important in life. I think spending quality time with them when you can – and whilst you can – is a good one.
Last movie you watched
Weirdly, on a flight from London to LA I watched Star Trek. The second of the new ones [Star Trek Into Darkness]. With Benedict Cumberbatch as Khan. Amazing. He’s so good.
Best advice you’ve received
We were talking about it earlier or yesterday or something, It was silly. It was like, words of advice. It’s so cheesy, but it’s [puts on an old-timey American accent]: “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.”
Someone you really admire
The doctors and nurses and everybody has been really struggling through this entire year and a half or two years. Hats off to you, because you’re doing the most fantastic work. I hope it gets better.
How do you feel about your hair?
I love my hair. Hopefully it stays on the top of my head!
Describe yourself in three words
You’re really going to put me on the spot like this? (Laughs). I would describe myself as adventurous, diligent and a little mischievous.
Would you rather travel 100 years to the past or the future?
The future. Come on. We’ve got to see what’s happening. If there is, like, a future in 100 years time. [Maybe we’ll be] in some desolate, armageddon world, fending for ourselves like in Mad Max.
Nature or nurture?
I think it’s a balance of both. Growing up all around the world as a youngster, it really sort of added to my outlook on life. And of course, my parents nurtured me well. They instilled in me very good ethos and thought-provoking lessons. So yeah, a bit of both.
What drew you to this new film?
The challenge of the physicality of it all. It’s my all, kind of, action outing. Definitely there have been some deep ends, because this isn’t your ordinary run-and-gun kind of shooting. It’s really physical, it’s hand-to-hand combat, it’s swordplay, it's bounding through forests being chased. [I would have been] silly to pass that up.
Catch Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins in Australian cinemas. (When it’s safe to do so, of course.) Watch the trailer below.
Interview conducted by Alice Griffin (@_alicegriffin), editor of this very site. Introduction written by MTV contributor Reena Gupta.
This image was photographed by Brad Torchia sourced via GQ; read the profile here. More of Brad’s work here.
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