Charlie Cox Couldn’t Stop Playing Blind For His Han Solo Audition
If you’ve ever wondered how actors separate the roles they play from who they are in real life, the truth is that sometimes they don’t. Well, that’s the case for Charlie Cox anyway. The Daredevil star revealed to the Hollywood Reporter that while auditioning for the coveted young Han Solo role, Cox forgot to make eye contact with the director.
“I had gone to an audition — one of those things that are super secretive and they don’t tell you, but I’m pretty sure it was for the Han Solo reboot— and halfway through it, the casting director stopped me and said, ‘Why aren’t you looking at me?'” Cox told the Hollywood Reporter. “I realized I had gotten into a habit of not making eye contact, because the only thing I had done for two years is play someone who is blind. I never got invited back, probably because they couldn’t figure out why I was acting like a complete idiot.”
“I was fine, since I of course use my eyes in my everyday life,” Cox said about his new roles. “The interesting thing now will be if it’s hard to go back to playing blind again.”
We hope not! Fans of the popular Netflix show have fallen head over heels for Cox’s Matthew Murdock and are already anxiously awaiting the release of the third season, which has yet to be officially renewed, although it’s very likely.
Charlie Cox also talked to the Hollywood Reporter about his return to the stage (he hasn’t done a play since 2010) and how the new roles have affected his life.
“For matinee day, I get up before 9, make breakfast and get on the subway as fast as I can,” he said about his show day routine. “It takes me about 40 minutes to get to the theater from Williamsburg. If I get here ten minutes early, there’s a really good coffee shop across the road called Tisserie.”
Cox even confessed that he does have a pre-show ritual that began with his knee problems but has not become something he needs to do before each show.
“I share a dressing room with Morgan [Spector], and I had been having knee pangs during the first two weeks of the show,” Cox said. “He showed me how to use a foam roller, and though I’m fine now, it’s become a superstition.”
And if you’re wondering what Charlie Cox does on his days off, you may be surprised to learn that he actually keeps things pretty low-key.
“My one rule is to not go into Manhattan,” Cox said. “I really don’t want to take the subway on my day off, but I can totally meet up for brunch if it’s in Brooklyn.”
When Charlie’s not starring in a play or having brunch in Brooklyn, he’s giving back. Recently he asked the creators of the popular Funko dolls for a couple of Daredevil Pop’s to take to hospitals and schools and was given more than enough to treat a lot of kids.
Charlie Cox asked @OriginalFunko for a couple @Daredevil Pop!s to take to hospitals & schools—here's what they sent! pic.twitter.com/DAoHzVviMz
— Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) June 17, 2016
Although Charlie Cox didn’t land the Han Solo role, his role as Matt Murdock/Daredevil is just as special to his fans. If you haven’t seen Charlie Cox in Incognito yet, make sure to grab your tickets before it closes in July.
[Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images]
