Charlie Hunnam finds deep meaning in TV version of ‘Shantaram’

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When I first started reading this book seven years ago, British actor Charlie Hunnam wasn’t fully aware of his ongoing odyssey to pick up the work of Gregory David Roberts. Shantaram to the big screen.

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Warner Bros. has owned the rights to the 2003 best-selling film for many years, and Johnny Depp was tapped to star as Robber Lynn Ford. He gets along well with busy tour guides.

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Rin, who is trying to rebuild his life, becomes entangled in the city’s shady conspiracies and falls in love with a mysterious woman, Carla. His long road to redemption is complicated by this unexpected love and a part of his past that he cannot leave behind.

Set in the 1980s, it was the kind of chaotic story that proved to be an instant hit with readers.As Depp’s popularity skyrocketed in the mid-2000s, he took on other roles and the film adaptation was in development. Decayed in hell.

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of Pirates of the Caribbean The star attempted to jump-start another film iteration, with Joel Edgerton in the lead. It turned out to be too difficult.

Suddenly, Hunnam — who ended a seven-season run as FX’s Jax Teller son of anarchy Before starring in a James Gray movie in 2014 The Lost City of Za remake with the Guy Ritchie-directed King Arthur film Papillon With Rami Malek — I saw an opportunity to bring the layered plot lines of the book to the small screen.

“For years, talented writers and directors have been trying to crack the code for this piece,” Hannam, 42, said in a recent interview in Toronto. “It seemed very obvious that the way we were going to go about this was feature-length storytelling. We’re going to spend 40 or 50 hours talking about this as opposed to a two-hour movie.”

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Nearly 20 years later, Hunnam is producing and starring Lynn in a new series for Apple TV+, and his producer friend Eric Singer is billed as a co-creator along with Steve Lightfoot (Punisher).

Many other projects came to my desk, but none resonated as much as I thought they would. Shantaram can be

Charlie Hunnam talks his new series Shantaram It’s a dream come true

The ensemble drama also stars Shubham Salaf, Antonia Desplat, Elektra Kilby and Alexander Siddig.

“This novel is extraordinary in the journey that Lynn takes…it’s just a wonderful adventure,” Hunnam said. Questions about meaning, about what’s at the heart of a fulfilling life.These are things that Greg was exploring and can explore throughout the show.”

Hunnam says the 12-episode series will set the next season where it can delve further into the spiritual questions it ponders in real life.

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“I’m very interested in theology and the nature of God and what it means,” he said.

On a recent Monday morning, he returned to the city where he shot a Guillermo del Toro movie. pacific rim When Crimson PeakHunnam talks about extracting meaning from Lin Ford’s journey and opens up about a possible return to the world. son of anarchy Go down the line later.

“It’s not a fully baked cake yet,” he warned with a smile. “I shouldn’t talk about it.”

Shantaram It’s been in development for years. What struck you in the story of Lynn Ford?

“He’s a great character. Lynn is smart, curious about life, and conflicted. Take… it’s really meaty underpinned by the human condition written big.

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you will always be with me son of anarchy And the character of Jax Teller. Were you nervous about returning to TV after the show ended in 2014?

“No … son of anarchy One of the deepest and most rewarding experiences of my career. I love long-form storytelling, both in the process and as an audience. I find myself watching far more TV than movies these days. That’s why I really wanted to go back to those days. After reading this novel, I was hooked.Many other projects came to my desk, but none resonated as much as I thought they would. Shantaram can be I’m just stuck with this, it took me 7 years from first reading the book to talking to you.

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Shantaram There were dark elements. But what really got me was the concept of how Lynn was mentally changed by her experiences in India.

“Definitely a search for the meaning of life. You know, this idea that humans are entities that are realms of pure possibility…I have been really fascinated by that concept for the last 15 years of my life. I am not living the life or ideals I want, but I am aware of it and my life journey is moving towards its greater meaning. I’m curious about the meaning of life and the question, “How do we suck all the juice out of a lemon in this short amount of time we have?” “

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It’s a big book — there’s a sequel — have you thought about future seasons?

“Exactly. Apple reserves the right to: Shantaram When mountain shadow As such, thousands of pages of source material can be mined. We focused on the first book, but only talked about a third of the book. So I’m bullish hopefully we can come back and keep telling this I always thought it would take him 30 hours to him 40 hours to tell this story and do justice . I hope there are more. ”

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Last month you set the internet aflame with the comment that there might be more son of anarchy somehow in your future. Why do you think the show and the character of Jax have been around for so long?

“I think there was something quintessentially American about what we were exploring in terms of autonomy. There was something about it that felt satisfying to the senses. became.

“When it comes to making fun of something, I’ve pivoted to writing and producing. I now spend a lot of time as a full-time writer and producer, and I have the following ideas (son of anarchy). It has nothing to do with the program directly. But this is an opportunity for him to go back ten years later and explore some of the larger themes. A concept that interests me, but is still in its early stages. Let’s see where it leads. ”

The first nine episodes of Shantaram is streaming on Apple TV+. New episodes air Fridays through December 16th.

mdaniell@postmedia.com