Taron Egerton Stars in New Netflix Action Film “Carry-On”

Welsh actor Taron Egerton, 35, takes on a starring role as Ethan Kopek in the upcoming Netflix action-thriller film, Carry-On. Kopek’s character is depicted as a young airport security guard responsible for screening passengers at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The narrative sees Kopek compelled to pursue an enigmatic villain after being blackmailed into permitting a potentially hazardous package onto a flight scheduled for Christmas Eve. Egerton commented on the script, stating, “It was a wildly entertaining, engaging script and I felt it had something fresh to it.” He further elaborated on his character’s journey, adding, “Here’s an everyday guy who becomes extraordinary through necessity over the course of a single day,” and concluded, “That premise felt almost like a slice of life itself.” Egerton’s upbringing involved growing up on Anglesey prior to relocating to Aberystwyth at the age of 12. Regarding his portrayal, Egerton remarked, “I didn’t want to do something that felt like an archetypal action hero.” He continued, “What we kept our eyes on was making sure that we made him feel as relatable and as normal as possible… whatever normal is in the extraordinary situation he’s in.” Jason Bateman portrays the film’s antagonist, identified solely as The Traveller, whose presence is frequently conveyed through an earpiece worn by Egerton’s character, Kopek. Egerton shared insights into his acting process for the film, stating, “There were times when I was lucky enough to have Jason Bateman come in and perform with me from another room and it was an incredible luxury.” He added, “But those early scenes in the movie where I didn’t really have anything or anyone to interact with except for a voice in my ear were a new kind of challenge! “Lots of actors will say that the secret to good acting is reacting and getting the focus off yourself — which is really hard when you’re staring at a blank screen and talking to somebody who’s not there. But you play into your imagination.” The cast of Carry-On also features Sofia Carson, who embodies Nora Parisi, the director of operations at LAX and Egerton’s leading lady. Carson expressed her experience, saying, “It was a tremendous experience to be able to work alongside someone of his [Egerton’s] caliber and work together to bring our characters to life.” Egerton’s prior notable performances include his portrayal of Eggsy in Kingsman: The Secret Service and his role as Elton John in the critically acclaimed biopic Rocketman. Director Jaume Collet-Serra indicated that the film drew inspiration from the 1980s classic, Die Hard. Collet-Serra stated, “Everyone wants to make the next Die Hard and the reality is that no one ever will — it’s a perfect movie that can’t be replicated, and also a very specific product of its time.” He continued, “But when I read the script for Carry-On, I felt like I had found a more grounded version of Die Hard — which was our North Star for the entire process — for a new generation.” Carry-On is scheduled for release on Netflix on 13 December 2024. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external sites and provides information regarding its approach to external linking.