Aussie actor Wassim Hawat takes on new challenge as the main villain in ‘The Last Immortal’

Australian actor Wassim Hawat, best known for his work in “Here Come the Habits,” “Home & Away” and “Gods of Egypt,” is about to embark on one of the biggest projects of his career, the science-fiction fantasy blockbuster “The Last Immortal.” The Sydney-based actor is playing the main villain, Lasaram, in a fast-paced feature that he’s also producing. The world is Hawat’s oyster, by looks!

International Business Times, Australia: Unlike a lot of Australians, you seem content working down under. What do you like about working on local projects?

Wassim Hawat: I love my country Australia, especially Sydney. Working on local projects helps develop creative potential of members in our communities and a greater sense of belonging, connection and well-being through the production, and presentation of inspiring community films. Working on local projects, I can attest to the fact that there is something very inspiring that happens when a group of talented individuals come together in a common cause, truly investing in the arts.

IB Times: How did you get involved in ‘The Last Immortal’?

Hawat: I originally expressed interest in an acting role to the genius creator of the project “LeeChavis.” Not long after that, we scheduled a chat via Skype, in which we immediately hit it off, the connection and chemistry between us was amazing, we both knew working together will be a great journey on this project and it has been so far very enjoying and fulfilling.

Now not only I am playing the main villain Lasaram, a very complex character, but also I’m helping produce this mystery/thriller film.

IB Times: Can you tell us about the movie? It’s a big sci-fi fantasy film, right?

Hawat: Rivers McKinley develops a drug hoping to cure his ailing wife, only to discover that he needs to find a compatible blood donor to make the drug work. With time running out, an old nemesis from a past life resurfaces, plotting to ruin McKinley's plans as revenge for an ancient ritual gone awry.

At this stage the estimated budget is 5M.

IB Times: Any training or research you’re having to do for the part?

Hawat : Most people don’t know much about the preparation process for actors/actresses, but it takes more than simply memorisation of the script and application of makeup. Good actors need to prepare for a role for months on end, studying not just what they have to say but also the nuances of the character.

I try to do the accent that their character calls for. It is even harder if the character being portrayed is based on a true-to-life person, as viewers can compare the accent and manner of speaking.

Also I go to great lengths to learn about my characters' feeling and [what they are] going through. Sometimes research and study is just not enough.

My favourite quote relating to preparation: "I think there is a credibility that lets you get lost in the story when you feel that all the details are right."

IB Times: Do you know where it’ll film?

Hawat: At this stage, US and Canada.

IB Times: What’s the difference working on a big project like ‘The Last Immortal’ and a TV series like ‘Home & Away’?

Hawat: With the project “The Last Immortal” and generally working on big movie/film projects, there is a lot more preparations.

A film has more time invested in the script. A film will have more shoot days then a similar of television pages because film will take the time to set up more elaborate camera moves, resulting in a more visually dynamic result. A film will get a lot more time to edit to craft the end result.

IB Times: In an ideal world, would you have had a major studio make the movie or are you happy you’re all going to do it independently?

Hawat: With “The Last Immortal” project, [we] were happy to go either way to make an amazing project.