Stanley Tucci on directing new film 'Final Portrait', holiday injury, and why he nearly rejected 'The Lovely Bones'

Virgin Radio

17 Aug 2017, 13:15

Stanley Tucci popped by the Virgin Radio studio for a chat with Edith Bowman. 

The actor and director - who starred as Nigel in  and Caesar Flickerman in  series - has directed a new film called 

It shows the events of a famous American writer, James Lord, was asked to sit for a portrait by a prominent artist called Alberto Giacometti.

Tucci said: "I love Giacometti's work, I'm interested in 20th century art. Many years later, I thought I could make a movie out of it. 

"I approached James Lord to get the rights, that took a bit of time, and then it took 10 years to make the movie. 

"It was hard to stick with it, because you're sort of thwarted at every turn trying to make an independent film anyway, but also an independent film about one guy painting another guy's portrait."

He also discussed his past roles with Edith and revealed why he nearly didn't take on his role as George Harvey in : "I almost turned it down because I don't like movies where anything to do with kids getting hurt. 

"But because it wasn't gratiutious, because it was a beautiful story about loss, I was inclined to do it."

He also told our host the story of how he gained an injury on holiday with a Chinese meat cleaver. 

Listen above.

Final Portrait

is released into cinemas on Friday August 18.