Before he was Logan Roy in Succession, actor Brian Cox had taken on a range of powerful roles in various films. One of the most notable was his appearance in the Wolfgang Peterson-directed film, Troy. Cox being a classically trained Shakespearean actor was the fitting choice for the king of the Greeks, Agamemnon.
In a video memoir with Vanity Fair, Brian Cox revealed that Troy was the only film he actively pursued. This decision proved to be rewarding, as it not only landed him a great role but also provided him with the opportunity to witness Brad Pitt’s acting prowess in person.
Brian Cox’s Candid Crush On Co-Star Brad Pitt
During the memoir video, Brian Cox fondly recounted his experiences working on various films, including Manhunter, Braveheart, Rushmore, and Troy. As he recounted the experience of filming his role in Troy, Cox openly expressed his admiration for Brad Pitt:
“I remember at one point just kind of being agog at Brad ’cause, you know, he’d never been in costumes like that. We had all experienced these great costume epics because we’d spent most of our time like that, if we’d done the classical theater; we were always without pants!”
Describing the Moneyball actor as “stunning,” Cox went on to reveal how Pitt effortlessly carried off the spectacular costumes for the film. The Churchill actor elaborated:
“Brad walked on set and my jaw was down because he was so stunningly beautiful. I’m straight but I thought, ‘Wow, my God! This guy is stunning.’ What chance does one have on the screen against this beautiful, beautiful man?”
The 2004 movie chronicles the epic tale of the Trojan War between the Greek army and the historical city of Troy. Brad Pitt played the role of Achilles, the Myrmidon warrior, fighting alongside Agamemnon’s Greek forces. The story of Troy draws inspiration from Homer’s Iliad and Quintus Smyrnaeus’s Posthomerica.
Brian Cox Opened Up About Pursuing The Troy Role
Brian Cox also disclosed the story of how he voluntarily took a flight to London to meet Wolfgang Peterson and grab the role. With his acting background, Cox was confident that the character of Agamemnon was tailor-made for him. The Red Eye actor shared:
“I’ve never pursued anything. I’ve always allowed it to fall out the way it fell out. I knew the part was available and I knew I was dead right for the role. I volunteered to fly myself to London to meet Wolfgang Petersen. It was a great cast.”
Troy‘s box office earnings came close to $500 million, validating the effort and dedication Cox invested in the film. However, it’s worth noting that the movie garnered a mixed to negative response from critics despite its financial success.
As for Brian Cox’s career trajectory, the actor went on to win the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series for his role in the HBO series Succession. Fans of his work can enjoy all the episodes of Succession by streaming on HBO Max.
Source: Vanity Fair – YouTube
