Michael Douglas has won Academy Awards for both acting and producing, but says he has become more selective about his acting roles in recent years.
The 79-year-old is a renowned figure in the film industry having produced and starred in a selection of award-winning films.
He has two Oscars to his name – Best Picture for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Best Actor for Wall Street – but says it’s roles like Franklin that make him want to continue acting.
“At this point, playing is if I just want to do it. If I find something really, really good, a good piece.”
He adds: “In a way, I’m more comfortable with producing. You don’t have to be in front of a camera. And now, I guess the thing I’m happiest about, I realize, is with this. show is that I’m more comfortable now with both.”
“As an actor, my role is just to talk to you, I have blinders on. I have no idea what’s going on around me. Producing is having a 360-degree view of everything that’s going on, and I guess I’ve done it long enough that I have the ability to turn my head off and act with focus, and then be able to look around and see what the problems or how I can help.
The Apple TV+ show traces the life of American inventor, writer and first diplomat Benjamin Franklin, who spent time in France from 1776 to 1778 to seek the country’s support for American independence.
“He basically saved our country from the British,” says Douglas, who plays the title character.
“When I read Stacy Schiff’s book, A Great Improvisation, which this book was based on, I was fascinated because I don’t think many of us know what a man of the Renaissance.”
He adds: “Franklin was sort of the beginning of the middle class, because he came from a poor background and he laid the foundations for it.”
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Joining Douglas for the series is Noah Jupe as William Temple Franklin.
The 19-year-old Londoner has already worked with some of Hollywood’s biggest names, including Matt Damon and George Clooney in the suburbs of Julia Robert and Owen Wilson in Wonder.
“It definitely takes some time to get over being in a room with Michael Douglas Or Emilie Blunt or anyone you really have respect for,” he told Sky News.
“It’s very trippy but, when you’re on set, you kind of end up seeing them as friends rather than this icon.”
The Night Manager actor says growing up in the spotlight has had its perks, including learning an important skill from a certain Oscar-winning actor.
“I did a movie called Ford v Ferrari, and even though in the show I didn’t have to drive, I remember Christian Bale, who played my father, taught me how to drive.”
Driving isn’t the only skill he’s learned over his years on set.
While filming A Quiet Place with Blunt and John Krasinski, he learned sign language and is now adding a few more skills to his resume.
“In this one I was able to learn horse riding, French, and calligraphy for some reason. You learn random skills, which is a great benefit of my job.”
The first three episodes of “Franklin” are now available to stream on Apple TV+ with a new episode every Friday.