torrilla:

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Tom Hiddleston stepped in to replace Michael Fassbender. What was it about Tom that appealed to you?

‘At first I was at a loss, because I love Michael, but I think there was a reason it became Tom. Michael has a visceral quality, but Tom was able to bring something more cerebral. I’d seen him in Woody Allen’s “Midnight in Paris”, and I thought: No, that’s not my guy. But I had the chance to meet him in New York and it was incredible. He was so tall and graceful and physically elegant, and he got every reference I threw at him.

‘Over the years, every time this project fell apart I’d call Tilda and she’d say, “It’s good, it means we weren’t ready yet.” We had to wait until we had all the right parts, and Tom was one of them.

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Jim Jarmusch interview – Only Lovers Left Alive – Time Out Film