Peter Rabbit premiere: A chat with James Corden, Daisy Ridley and Domhnall Gleeson

After winning the hearts of countless children over many generations, Beatrix Potter’s mischievous childhood hero Peter Rabbit has finally made the big step from book to screen. Director Will Gluck’s take on the classic story combines animation and live action, vamping up the plot enough to make it contemporary while trying to retain the simplicity that renders it so effective.

We attended the UK premiere – hosted by Vue West End in Leicester Square – and caught up with members of the cast as they walked the red carpet (which was green as a lawn for the occasion) surrounded by fans sporting bunny-ears.

We spoke to James Corden, who lent his voice to the titular bunny himself. The comedy actor gives the assertive protagonist the right dose of playfulness and cheekiness, which he also displayed as he answered questions at the gala.

We also caught up with Daisy Ridley, who plays Peter’s sibling Cotton-Tail. She spoke with excitement about bringing the story to life, having been a fan of the character since childhood.

Domhnall Gleeson – the dark force behind the unfriendly Mr McGregor – told of the challenges encountered, but also said he is pleased with the audience reactions so far.

Gluck admitted that the making of this feature was a delicate process involving careful research and tricky choices, but he seems to be ultimately satisfied with the end result.

Composer Dominic Lewis also offered us insight into how he approached the creation of the film score, and which figures he looks up to in his field.

During her lifetime, Beatrix Potter had firmly declined offers to have the story adapted into a movie, as she was very protective of her characters and how they should be represented. We asked producer Zareh Nalbandian of Animal Logic how this fact affected the decision to create a modern cinematic version of the classic story.

Although many are wary of seeing this beloved tale renovated, Peter Rabbit has received fairly positive reviews so far, and is likely to attract many young viewers as well as those who grew up with Potter’s books.

Mersa Auda
Videos: Filippo L’Astorina

Peter Rabbit is released nationwide on 16^th March 2018.

Watch the trailer for Peter Rabbit here: