joeviews

(Information taken from the Shakespeare in Love presspack)

Why Joseph Fiennes was chosen to play the part of William Shakespeare:

The process of casting the young Will Shakespeare required slightly more investigation and study. "I looked far and wide for the actor to play Will," says John Madden, "but the part required not just the qualities for a romantic lead, but also the ability to convince the audience that this man actually wrote all that beautiful poetry and all those extraodinary plays. Joseph Fiennes could do that because he has an interior quality, a natural intelligence and privateness and without that the part is stillborn. I'm a great believer that certain parts belong to certain people and there's no question in my mind that this part belongs to Joe."

Joseph Fiennes concurs, saying: "The script is so unique, dazzlingly brilliant and dynamic and as an actor, I always find that teaming up with something like that is rather a good idea!"
This quiet modesty is a typical of Fiennes, illustrated further by his first meeting with Tom Stoppard as the writer remembers. "I was just browsing in a bookshop and this guy I din't know came up and introduced himself to me, saying that he was currently working with John Madden," recalls Stoppard. "He made it sound like he was an assistant, or something. Then he said that he was an actor, but only when I asked what part he was playing did he quietly reply, William Shakespeare."

Joseph Fiennes on Shakespeare:

"For an actor the chance to play Shakespeare, this great historical figure is daunting as he is such sacred ground to so many people. But there is very little information about him and so much intrigue that it's compelling. The tragedy is when a figure is turned into an icon, they are dehumanised. This script brings out the human element; all the sentiments and problems that go with being a man of his profession in that time - falling in and out of love, having money problems, suffering from writer's block - all things you probably wouldn't associate with being a genius. But this film also acknowledges the man's brilliance, we see him as a writer of exceptional talent, but also as a man. To a certain extent I have put aside my own reverence about the writer of such great works of English Literature and just get on with it. I have to adopt the attitude that as soon as I put on these tights I am William Shakespeare - simple as that."