Riz Ahmed was ‘obsessive’ over Star Wars audition
Riz Ahmed, who starred in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story as Bodhi Rook, opens up about trying to land his Star Wars role.
London-born actor Riz Ahmed recently opened up about being “obsessive” during his audition for a role in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. According to list.co.uk, he said: “I went a bit overboard, a bit over the top, I got a bit obsessive about my work.” Ahmed also admits to sending audition after audition to try and improve his standing with Rogue One director Gareth Edwards.
It’s not the first time Ahmed has talked about his obsession with the role either, showing that the experience has stuck with him as both an anecdote and possible lesson for himself or others. It ended up working in the end, though, so who’s to knock his approach?
Ahmed starred as Bodhi Rook in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, the Imperial pilot who defected and played a pivotal role in helping Jyn Erso deliver the Death Star’s plans to the Rebellion. Rook makes the gamble of becoming an Imperial deserter, but is able to relay a message from Galen Erso, father of Jyn, that sparks the crew’s mission to Scarif. Ahmed couldn’t have portrayed the frenetic Rook any better, which is perfectly shown in his exchange with Forest Whitaker’s Saw Gerrera and Bor Gullet.
He has been very open about the role he obsessed to get. Rogue One experienced extensive reshoots and Ahmed had to adjust with them, but he was left giddy at the feeling of being in a Star Wars movie.
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Ahmed, 35, is making the media rounds as his upcoming movie, Venom, is set to hit theaters in October. He won an Emmy for his guest role on HBO’s The Night Of, and has appeared in several movies.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is available for streaming on Netflix.