John Hannah, known for roles in Four Weddings and a Funeral and Sliding Doors, has answered reader questions on topics ranging from being confused with James Nesbitt to his new perspective on life since turning 60. In a candid interview, the Scottish actor shared his thoughts on his career, his favourite roles, and the moments that have defined him.
On being confused with James Nesbitt
Hannah revealed that people often mistake him for fellow Scottish actor James Nesbitt, a confusion he doesn't mind. "It's good if people think I'm Jimmy Nesbitt, because I can then swear at them and be rude and he gets the blame," he said. The two actors used to play five-a-side football together in the 1990s, and last met when their children graduated from Manchester university last summer.
On his Sliding Doors moment and not running for trains
Reflecting on the enduring popularity of Sliding Doors, Hannah noted how the phrase has become common parlance. "I certainly don't run for trains any more," he said. He also recalled the story behind Eminem's use of Dido's Thank You in the hit song Stan, which samples the track from the film's soundtrack. "The story I heard was he was so sickened by the sweetness that he decided to counterpoint it with an obsessed fan trying to murder his girlfriend," Hannah explained.
On playing villains and stealing props
Hannah admitted to enjoying playing "bad guys," saying, "I do think that old cliche is true about bad guys always being more fun." He also confessed to stealing a fibreglass Egyptian dog head prop from The Mummy to decorate his garden, a habit he says Brendan Fraser teased him about. "It's like the old joke: you shag one sheep … You nick one prop," he joked, adding that Richard E Grant and Alan Cumming are also "a bit sticky-fingered."
On Spartacus and his career since turning 60
Hannah described filming Spartacus as "pretty spectacular," recalling the outrageous dialogue and the fun of playing the villain. Since turning 60, he has adopted a new approach to his career: "I thought: 'Bollocks to this, I'm just going to do stuff that I like, that's filming somewhere nice, or is especially well paid. If it's got two out of three of those things, I'll do it.'" He added that he has "never been busier," with projects like Bad Day at the Office coming "out of left field."
Bad Day at the Office is in UK and Irish cinemas from 30 October.
