Matthias Schweighofer
He wants to become a Marvel hero
Army of Thieves will be out on Netflix on October 29th.
© 2021, Netflix Inc.
Matthias Schweighöfer can be seen in “Army of Thieves” from October 29th. In the interview, he talks about filming during the pandemic.
After the undead, screenwriter and director Zack Snyder (55) in “Army of Thieves” (from October 29th on Netflix) now has the army of thieves deployed. The German cinema star Matthias Schweighöfer (40) became the secret star of the zombie film and now plays the leading role and also directed the prequel to “Army of the Dead”.
“Army of Thieves” takes place six years before the events of “Army of the Dead”. Safe cracker Ludwig Dieter (Matthias Schweighöfer) is recruited by a mysterious woman to help a thieving outsider crew in a robbery.
In an interview with the news agency spot on news, Schweighöfer tells how he fared with his first English-language directing work and what he still plans to do as an actor.
How did it come about that you starred and directed in “Army of Thieves” after “Army of the Dead”?
Matthias Schweighöfer: At the end of the shooting time, we shot in Atlantic City. Then Zack Snyder came up to me and said: “Matthias, let’s have a little chat.” In talks with the head of Europe at Netflix, we then decided to expand this universe.
What was it like directing an English language film? Was that different from previous German-language projects?
Schweighöfer: It was very exciting. Doing everything in English the whole time was very exciting. Sometimes my colleagues looked at me as if they didn’t understand a word and didn’t know what I wanted. But it was definitely a good, great time, it was fun and very colorful.
How was filming during the pandemic?
Schweighöfer: That was really crazy. We shot some of the film in Prague – at that time the number one corona hotspot in Europe. So we were never allowed to go out to eat and the six of us lived in a hotel for 300 people. That was really funny.
Her friend Ruby O. Fee also starred in “Army of Thieves”. What is it like to work with your own partner?
Schweighöfer: It was really fun, I was very proud of us. We weren’t allowed to travel at the time and it was all the nicer to be able to spend the time together. But we had a deal: When we get back home to the hotel room, there will be no more talk about work and the film. And we pulled it off.
Do you have anything in common with the main character Ludwig? Do you also have a certain criminal energy in you?
Schweighöfer: No. But I think this childlike and neurotic behavior is already there. I see his fearfulness in me.
Both “Army of the Dead” and “Army of Thieves” appeared on Netflix instead of in the cinema. Do you think this is the future of the film industry?
Schweighöfer: I think cinema is definitely a form of culture and entertainment that you need and that won’t die out. It will always work. A lot will change for sure, but I think cinema will always be.
They can be seen more and more often in English-language films. Do you prefer to shoot in English or German?
Schweighöfer: I really enjoy shooting in both languages. They are both very beautiful languages. English is sometimes easier to play because you can say a lot in very few sentences. Where you need three sentences in German, sometimes one is enough in English. But I like to play in both languages.
Is there anything that is still on your bucket list as an actor or director?
Schweighöfer: Oh yes, I would like to work with Steven Spielberg and I would like to win an Oscar. And then I’d love to be in a big box office hit, maybe as a Marvel or Disney hero.
Zombie apocalypse, world war drama or German comedy – what do you actually prefer to watch yourself?
Schweighöfer: Definitely the zombie apocalypse. Comedy is fun to play with, but there are much better genres out there. If comedy, then American.