British actor Josh O’Connor has spent years building a career with acclaimed dramas and character-driven films, from ‘The Crown’ to ‘Challengers’, and from ‘God’s Own Country’ to ‘La Chimera’.
But it still came as a surprise when he suddenly made the jump to a sci-fi blockbuster in ‘Disclosure Day’. Yet, O’Connor has proved that regardless of what cinematic world he enters, he hasn’t lost his quirky sense of humor.
Josh O’Connor Jokes How He Impressed Steven Spielberg for ‘Disclosure Day’
During a recent interview with DiscussingFilm while promoting the movie with his co-star Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor was asked about his experience being cast in a Spielberg movie. The joke began when Blunt playfully asked him, “He did cast you because of your mathematical skills in real life, right?”
Related: ‘Disclosure Day’ Earns $93 Million Worldwide as Steven Spielberg Silences Box Office Doubts
Blunt was joking about O’Connor’s character in the movie, Daniel Kellner, a cybersecurity expert known for his unique knowledge of numbers. But Josh O’Connor didn’t back off and took the joke even further.
“Exactly, so there was only one person who could play it,” O’Connor replied. “My mathematical skills and my ears look like an alien.”
The interaction has quickly become a fan favorite, particularly because O’Connor’s ears have long been a topic of discussion among fans. Over the years, he has been praised for having the perfect ears to play Prince Charles in ‘The Crown’ and has even been jokingly described as the ideal live-action version of Linguini from ‘Ratatouille’.
As always, O’Connor isn’t backing away from the joke, claiming that those were the greatest qualifications for a Spielberg alien movie. It is undeniable that his ears and quirky personality will always stand out as his most charming and recognizable features.
Why Steven Spielberg Knew Josh O’Connor Was The Right Choice
All jokes aside, there are far more convincing reasons why Steven Spielberg chose O’Connor to lead one of his most ambitious projects of all time. Rather than portraying a traditional action hero, O’Connor has described his character as an “unglamorous hero.”
In Case You Missed It: The Chilling Real-Life Documentaries Emily Blunt Watched To Prepare For ‘Disclosure Day’
“I think I used the term ‘unglamorous hero,’” he explained. “We were trying to create a character that was fairly everyday—sort of an average Joe in some respects.”
It is this grounded, relatable quality that Spielberg was looking for and one that Josh O’Connor undeniably portrays. ‘Disclosure Day’ explores how ordinary people might react when they confront the extraordinary, and O’Connor brought that authenticity to the role.
O’Connor also buried himself in research to prepare for the role, especially researching UFO sightings, alien theories, and decades of extraterrestrial lore. He even frequently contacted Spielberg to share his fascinating discoveries.
“I was calling Steven up, being like, ‘Check this out, did you know that this happened in 2009!?’” O’Connor recalled. “And he would be like, ‘Yes, Josh, I already knew that.’”
This story perfectly captures why O’Connor matched Spielberg’s dedication and lifelong fascination with the scope of ‘Disclosure Day’. While the actor may jokingly credit his “alien ears” and “mathematical skills,” it is his ability to stay grounded that made him the perfect lead for ‘Disclosure Day’.
You Might Also Like To Read: “We Are Not Alone”: Steven Spielberg Makes His Boldest Alien Claim Yet Ahead of ‘Disclosure Day’
