Latest news with #JamesWilkinson
BBC News
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Jersey actor to appear in movie with Idris Elba and Jared Leto
A Jersey actor has landed a prominent role in the upcoming Masters of the Universe movie, starring Idris Elba and Jared Leto. James Wilkinson is set to play Mekaneck in the blockbuster which will see the return of 1980s comic book character He-Man. Speaking to BBC Radio Jersey, the actor described the night he found out he had got the part as "mad". "My wi-fi was terrible so I had to run a kilometre [0.6 miles] down the road to this restaurant that I knew had good wi-fi, but it was closed so I was just stealing their wi-fi while on the phone to my agent finding out what was going on," he said. Discussing the Masters of the Universe franchise, Wilkinson said: "I had heard of it but it was before my time."I'm 35 as of Wednesday and it was just that little bit before my time, but my older sister loved it. "She told me how much of a huge deal it was when I got it." In order to familiarise himself with universe of He-Man, Wilkinson said he sat down with a bowl of cereal to watch all the cartoons, which he described as the "easiest research ever". Acknowledging the franchise's large fanbase, Wilkinson said: "It's such a responsibility because you want to make sure the fans are being looked after and represented."At the same time, it has to be fresh and new for new audience members to grasp onto."He added: "When you get on set, you see just how grand a scale it is with hundreds and hundreds of people working on this. "And I'm just fortunate to be there." When asked about his love for Jersey, the 35-year-old said: "I miss it so much when I'm away."Growing up on the island you just get used to being by the ocean, especially in the summer. "There's nothing worse than being in London when it's hot and there's nowhere to escape, you can't go to the beach, you can't go in the water."I love it and I love coming home to see the family."
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Who needs manuals anyway! Doing DIY without looking at the handbook gives men a 'masculinity boost', study finds
Many women might roll their eyes when their partner refuses to read the instructions before starting a task. But doing DIY or completing a project without using the handbook makes blokes feel like 'real men'. According to a survey of 2,000 men, 38 per cent experience a masculinity boost when they complete a job around the house or garden. A third feel like an alpha male when they don't use the instructions, and a similar proportion feel a lift when checking the car's oil, water and tyre pressure before a long journey. Some 18 per cent responded that they feel superior when carrying three pints from the bar without spilling a drop. For one in four carrying all the shopping bags in from the car boot in one run or fixing something is what heightens their machismo. And another quarter said that taking control of the barbecue makes them feel more macho. Other top 'man-mode' moments included sounding knowledgeable when chatting to tradesmen (21 per cent) and assembling flat-pack furniture without any help (18 per cent). The report, by men's deodorant, shower gel and skincare firm Rock Face, said: 'While once it might have been about beer runs and bravado, today's men are recognising that being a good partner and a solid all-rounder is what really matters. 'From handling household tasks to staying calm under pressure, these man-mode moments reflect men showing up in ways that count.' James Wilkinson, Rock Face chief executive, said: 'These everyday achievements might seem small, but they add up. 'Being the guy who sorts things out, supports those around him and takes pride in his role – that's modern masculinity.'
ITV News
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- ITV News
'Very surreal': Former Les Quennevais pupil on set with Hollywood stars for sci-fi remake
A Jersey -born actor has spoken to Les Quennevais pupils about preparing for his new role in a Hollywood remake of a beloved 1980s sci-fi series. James Wilkinson is playing Mekaneck in the live-action remake of Mattel's Masters of the Universe, which is set for release in 2026. James is currently halfway through filming the film, sharing the set with the likes of Idris Elba and Jared Leto. The actor returned to his old school to answer questions from aspiring performers, telling ITV News: "I've always said Les Quennevais is such a great, great school - it's lovely to be back." After playing roles in every school play he could get his hands on, James made acting a central part of his life as a teenager. He was a regular performer at the Arts Centre, Opera House, and the Jersey Eisteddfod and was part of the Samares Players. James explains: "I enjoyed doing athletics and rugby, but what I enjoyed doing more was acting, and people told me that I was good at it, so I carried on. "For anyone who hasn't had that theatre bug - that adrenaline rush - it's hard to explain, but that's what gets you hooked on acting initially." Though James is now performing on international screens, he says he was taken aback when he received the call offering him the role in Masters of the Universe. He said: "I was doing a job out in China at the time, so when I got the call from my agent, it was two o'clock in the morning. "The VPN wasn't working, the WiFi was rubbish, and I had to walk a kilometre down the road to a restaurant to use their WiFi to talk to the guy on the phone. "It was honestly a bit of a stress because I'd already accepted another job, so I had to cancel the job I'd accepted and go on to this one. "When all of the dust settled, finally, and I had time to reflect on what it actually meant, it was surreal." James continues: "You look back on doing productions at school, then going on to performing arts college, where you're young and excited and all of a sudden your whole life is consumed by performing and trying to get that next job and trying to make it. "And all of a sudden you're doing a film like this and you're part of something monumental and there's a lot of history to it and there's a lot of responsibility to the fans. "It doesn't seem real, even though we're halfway through filming now. "I guess I'm going to have that kind of pinch-me moment when I see it on the big screen, but for now, it's still very, very surreal." When asked what it was like rubbing shoulders with actors the calibre of Elba and Leto, James said: "For me, it's just a case of listening and looking at how they do things, trying to absorb everything that I can from those guys and trying to be as good as I can be with them. "That's what it's all about."
