Carey Mulligan leads Thomas Vinterberg’s adaptation of the classic Thomas Hardy novel Far from the Madding Crowd as Bathsheba Everdene. She’s a headstrong, independent woman who’s determined to defy the odds and run a successful farm, but she becomes a bit distracted by the three men vying for her heart. There’s the noble farmer Gabriel Oak (Matthias Schoenaerts), the cocky soldier Frank Troy (Tom Sturridge), and the more mature and especially wealthy William Boldwood (Michael Sheen). Boldwood can’t compete with Mr. Oak’s farming knowhow or Sgt. Troy’s swordsmanship, but Sheen has no trouble selling Boldwood as a kind man who genuinely wants to make Bathsheba happy, putting him in the running just as much as anyone.

While in New York City ahead of the Far from the Madding Crowd May 1st limited release, I got the opportunity to talk to Sheen about his experience working on the film. We had some fun trying to create a modern day online dating profile for his character, Sheen recalled his initial reaction to finding out he was wanted for the role of Boldwood and more. You can catch all that and a brief update on the Alice in Wonderland sequel, Alice Through the Looking Glass, in the video interview below.

Michael Sheen:

• Sheen makes a modern online dating profile for Boldwood.
• Did he read the Thomas Hardy book before reading the script?
• His reaction when he found out the filmmakers wanted him for Boldwood.
• Making it feel like Boldwood has a shot even though Gabriel Oak is clearly the hero.
• On Alice Through the Looking Glass; will we see the difference between Tim Burton and James Bobin’s styles?
• Was the voice recording process the same on both films?