Aussie actor Wassim Hawat takes on new challenge as the main villain in ‘The Last Immortal’
![Wassim Hawat](https://d.ibtimes.com.au/en/full/1549992/wassim-hawat.jpg?w=736&f=1194b5931db19ac3f49ff2f3adf17038)
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.