The Journal Meets... Arthur Christmas star Bill NighyHe’s been in Christmas films before, as the star of the hit movie Love, Actually, and now celebrated English actor Bill Nighy returns to the festive season, albeit looking a lot different, voicing one of the characters for Aardman Animation’s Arthur Christmas.
The computer animated film portrays Santa as the figurehead of a larger operation, where millions of elves are deployed to deliver presents all over the world via a futuristic spaceship called the S-1. Santa’s son Arthur (voiced by James McAvoy), a dim-witted but good natured young man, goes on a mission to save one girl’s Christmas, when her present is forgotten. Taking his grandfather and an industrious elf along for the ride, Arthur encounters all manner of obstacles in order to make sure no child is forgotten.
Nighy plays GrandSanta, an eccentric former Santa Claus who spends his days spouting gibberish and watching television, until he decides to help Arthur in his quest. “I loved the script," said Nighy. "That’s not PR - this was perfect. I had to audition to be in it, and I really wanted to be in it. I did think that I was going for Father Christmas and then they said, ‘no actually it’s this bloke here with no teeth and no hair’. So it was a bit of a surprise but I was very happy because it’s a great part.”
As part of the promotion for the film, Nighy is releasing a Christmas single, a cover of Jimmy Durante’s Make Someone Happy.
“They (the studio) said they wanted me to sing a song and I’m not a singer and I didn’t exactly leap at it, but then they said you get to do it in the Beatles room at Abbey Road and it’s daft, but it does make you go a bit funny.”
It’s all for a good cause, however, as the proceeds go to the charity Starlight, which grants wishes for seriously ill children. “It’s an exemplary charity” he beams, before adding: “I sing like I’m singing in the bath, but don’t worry about that - you just have to spend the money.”
And in the spirit of the movie, what would Nighy like from Santa for Christmas? “I’ve been saying socks - I love socks,” he laughs. “I’m always thrilled when you crack open a new pair of socks, I always think it’s slightly decadent.”
Arthur Christmas is out now, and Bill Nighy’s single Make Someone Happy is available on iTunes.
