A Video Collection of the Incomparable Andy Serkis
If you’re a regular reader of this site and your interests are the same as ours, then you are undoubtedly familiar with Andy Serkis. The guy is crazy talented, and while I’m not saying he should have won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his motion-capture work for Gollum in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, he should have at the least been nominated.
Serkis is the guy when it comes to motion-capture performance – he’s recently been announced to play Caesar in the upcoming Rise of the Apes – but he’s much more than a one-trick pony. Serkis acts in a wide range of roles in dramas and comedies, does voice work, and even a bit of singing. Below, check out 10 video clips of Andy Serkis at work. I tried to include his most interesting and obscure performances (sorry, 13 Going On 30 fans!).
Gollum – The Lord of the Rings trilogy
Probably Serkis’ most famous performance, his portrayal of Gollum is truly incredible.
King Bohan – Heavenly Sword video game
Serkis’ motion-capture work isn’t limited to film; here he is making moves as King Bohan.
King Kong – King Kong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzCTniGKtaM
Another brilliant performance by Serkis, who truly made me believe I was watching a giant ape, not some herky-jerky CGI disaster.
Spider – The Jolly Boys’ Last Stand
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5ln2ZryevI
This is a comedy by Sacha Baron Cohen; I can’t imagine it not being funny.
Ian Dury – Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5ln2ZryevI
Here is Serkis portraying Ian Dury, the real-life lead singer of The Blockheads. In the second video, you can see Serkis engaging in some banter with the extras in between takes of a gig scene.
Mr. Alley – The Prestige
As Tesla’s right-hand man Mr. Alley, Serkis gives a very creepy and solid performance.
Hoodwink – Sugarhouse Lane
It’s pretty amazing how Serkis can go from friendly and funny to sinister and scary so well.
Albert Einstein – Einstein and Eddington
Here, Serkis plays the brilliant Albert Einstein, opposite Dr. Who’s David Tennant as Sir Arthur Stanley Eddington.
Screwtape (voice) – The Screwtape Letters
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLfYd2nd5NIv
Here’s some video of Serkis doing excellent voice work as Screwtape from the radio program “The Screwtape Letters.” I have to believe that had Serkis been born before the days of television, he would have been a notorious radio star.
A post dedicated to Andy Serkis? Unreality just jumped up a few pegs for me.
@ Josh
He’s really an amazing talent; I’d see the new Apes movie just for his work.
When did this Einstein and Eddington film come out? I loved Tennant as the Doctor and this film looks fantastic.
@ Mr Cinema
It came out a year or two ago on HBO, but I think it may have originally been a BBC production. I’m not positive. Anyway, I believe it’s a series, not a film.
sorry guys, but i don’t know how you could do an interesting/obscure andy serkis tribute and forget “24 Hour Party People” where he played legendary Manchester music producer Martin Hannett?
clip from 24 Hour Party People:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGA6rmsnDkQ
Martin Hannett bio:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Hannett
enjoy, the list was great, but he’s too cool in that movie to not mention.
He is consistently terrific in everything he’s been in
Can’t wait for Tin Tin 🙂