Kingsman: The Golden Circle star Julianne Moore reveals why she signed up to play ruthless villain Poppy and what it was like to work with Elton John
Oscar-winning actress opens up about her role as the eccentric businesswoman
JULIANNE Moore reveals why she signed to star as the villain in Matthew Vaughn's big action flick, Kingsman: The Golden Circle.
Following Samuel L. Jackson's turn as kooky bad guy Richmond Valentine in the first offering Kingsman: The Secret Service, the Oscar-winning actress' character takes things up a notch in the highly-anticipated sequel.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun Online at the film's world premiere in London, Julianne opened up about her character saying: "I loved the character, I loved the fact she is so accomplished. She has an agenda and something she believes so it makes her a credible villain.
"She’s not’s just someone who’s a moustache twirling bad guy and she’s really in charge of everything."
She continued: "Plus, she gets to look good. I didn’t want to just be wearing pantsuit everyday so it was nice that she was very, very feminine and has her hair and make-up and nails and outfit done as she rules the world. She’s not afraid to be who she is."
Julianne revealed it was her good friend and co-star Colin Firth who told her about the part.
She explained: "It was actually Colin Firth who told me about the role and I loved it straightaway. It’s always fun to play a megalomaniac."
The star get to share scenes with Elton John thanks to his standout cameo in the film and the actress admitted she was honoured to film with him.
Julianne gushed: "He’s a huge talent and such an icon both musically and as a person. To just be in the same room as him let alone acting with him was amazing."
She told WENN: "I think my most memorable day on set was when I came in for rehearsal and Colin was working with Elton and Elton was wearing a chicken suit. I came over to say hi and I was like, “I can't believe this is happening”.
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Elton, who plays himself in the movie, admitted to reporters that he had actually been offered a part in the first film, Kingsman: The Secret Service, but he declined.
He revealed: “I was supposed to be in the last one and I turned it down. Then I saw it and I said I wish I’d been in it. So when Matthew asked, I jumped at the chance.”
The spy comedy sees Eggsy (Taron Egerton) and the Kingsman agents join forces with their American counterpart Statesman, as the world is threatened by a crime syndicate called The Golden Circle.
And cast member Mark Strong has revealed why the follow-up film ticks all the boxes to please its audience in an exclusive chat with The Sun Online.
The star - who plays Merlin - revealed how Matthew Vaughn and Jane Goldman managed to get the balance right for the new flick.
The 54-year-old explained: "I didn’t have any fears or worries about doing a sequel, but sequels are really hard.
"You’ve got to take everything in the first one that people liked and do it again but take it somewhere else."
He continued: "So there’s two thing going on, tick the boxes of the first one and make sure there’s an element of that but you’ve got to find something else and I think he did that with the emotional engagement of the characters.
"Obviously in the first one you meet them and in the second one you know them, so I think Matthew has done a great job."
Mark's character Merlin was seen training Eggsy in the first film and provides tech support for agents during their missions and the actor revealed he was thrilled to see his character develop more depth in the sequel.
He explained: "You get to find out a bit more about all of them and you’re invested in them now - if you’ve seen the first one."
Mark continued: "It means you can just indulge your affection for these characters so it was great that get to learn a bit more about Merlin."
When asked about his standout moment, Mark teased: "There's a moment in the film that Merlin sings in and it’s about owning the space.
"I think it was a really epic moment that I’m really proud of and I think it will move people. That’s all you can hope for."
He continued: "But I also think that opening sequence is fantastic. The use of the slo-motion and the taxis, it really fires you into the film."
Kingsman: The Golden Circle is out in UK cinemas from September 20.
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