Recently, while promoting his newest filmQueer, directed byLuca Guadagnino,Daniel Craigwas asked byVarietywho he thought the next James Bond would be, to which he replied: “I don’t care.” Some may think this is an unnecessarily blunt response, but it really is a silly question; even ifBarbara Broccolihad told him, Craig obviously couldn’t say. However, that doesn’t stop the mystery from raging on and, with Peacock’sThe Day of the Jackal,Eddie Redmayneseemingly throws his hat in the ring as a potential underdog for the role. It’s not the classic James Bond, nor the classic Jackal of the book, butRedmayne brings a classy brutality to the role that still invokes echoes of the 007 agent, and producers such as Broccoli would be missing out if they didn’t at least consider him afterThe Day of the Jackal.
Eddie Redmayne’s Jackal Feels Incredibly Similar to James Bond
The Day of the Jackalshowcases Redmayne’s cerebral and brutal sides, as he casually murders people yet with the precision and class of a 007 agent.The initial assassination of a right-wing German politician displaysthe Jackal’s precision and lack of remorse for his victims. He takes his time to set up his weapon, which is a sniper so ingeniously disguised as a suitcase it could literally beBen Whishaw’s Q himself that built it. The bullet through the German’s head is so bluntly portrayed, smacking through the exit wound and spraying blood on the ground in an instant, yet Redmayne’s Jackal still holds to his code, not killing unnecessarily, as he doesn’t pull the trigger when presented with the opportunity of eliminating the politician’s bodyguard.
Furthermore, Redmayne’s physicality is brilliant in the role, as a master of disguise, beingable to both be handsome and yet blend into a crowdwhen needed. Throughout nearly every persona he takes on, there is a politeness to the Jackal. He’s a businessman, though his remark that he couldn’t care less why his employees want someone dead displays the coldness hidden beneath the veneer of chivalry.
Eddie Redmayne Reveals If We’ll Be Seeing Newt Scamander In The ‘Harry Potter’ Universe Again
It’s been a while since we’ve heard anything about ‘Fantastic Beasts.’
‘The Day of the Jackal’s Romance Gives an Even Greater James Bond Feel to Eddie Redmayne’s Performance
Something thatThe Day of the Jackalstands out in, compared to previous adaptations, is its romantic elements. The book rarely includes anything like this, yet the 10-part series depicts the Jackal’s home life with his wife Nuria, played wonderfully byÚrsula Corberó, and son in Cádiz, displaying a far more sympathetic side than the book or1973Edward Fox-led filmever really offered. This addition gives us far more complexity to the character, and many scenes between a coy Jackal and his wife feel eerily similar to Daniel Craig andEva Green’sinCasino Royale. Nuria sees through the Jackal’s lies surrounding his line of work, wanting him to be completely present at home, and Redmayne shines in these scenes. There isa softness to the character that you can tell he has with nobody else, yet it is clear he is always focused on the next job, even though he wants to be at home more often.
Overall,The Day of the Jackalhas already been a thrilling adventure with danger around every turn and Eddie Redmayne’s performance is largely to do with this. He serves as the gravity well within which everything revolves around. Not only do we get to see the cold-blooded assassin side of the Jackal, but his relationship at home portrays the inner conflict continually occurring within the character. It’s not James Bond exactly, butRedmayne’s performance is what makesThe Day of the Jackalso watchable.
The Day of the Jackal (2024)
The Jackal is a highly effective assassin that deals strictly in dangerous hits for large payouts. However, after one job puts him in the targets of a British intelligence officer, the pair engages in a dangerous and destructive chase across Europe.
The Day of the Jackal is currently available to stream on Peacock in the U.S.Watch on Peacock
