Opening in 3D and 2D theaters on April 27th is the new 3D stop-motion animated movie from Aardman Animation and directors Peter Lord and Jeff Newitt, (the people who brought you Chicken Run) called The Pirates! Band of Misfits, which is based on Gideon Defoe’s cult series of absurdist novels. Hugh Grant stars in his first animated role as the luxuriantly bearded Pirate Captain – a boundlessly enthusiastic, if somewhat less-than-successful, terror of the High Seas. With a rag-tag crew at his side (Martin Freeman, Brendan Gleeson, Russell Tovey, and Ashley Jensen), and seemingly blind to the impossible odds stacked against him, the Captain has one dream: to beat his bitter rivals Black Bellamy (Jeremy Piven) and Cutlass Liz (Salma Hayek) to the much coveted Pirate Of The Year Award. It’s a quest that takes our heroes from the shores of exotic Blood Island to the foggy streets of Victorian London. Along the way they battle a diabolical queen (Imelda Staunton) and team up with a haplessly smitten young scientist (David Tennant), but never lose sight of what a pirate loves best: adventure!
I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Hugh Grant to discuss The Pirates! Band of Misfits over some Grog that I made for him in a pirate Dixie cup. Grog is an alcoholic drink that sailors consumed which consists of rum and water, and is also the Pirate Captain and his crew’s drink of choice. The actor discussed how the script for this film drew him out of a semi-retirement from acting, how he may be a bit more competitive than the Pirate Captain when it comes to golf, and possibilities of a sequel.
To watch our exclusive video interview with Hugh Grant about The Pirates! Band of Misfits, please click on the video player below.
The Pirates! Band of Misfits swings into theaters on April 27, 2012.
