The Mecca for Nerds: New York Comic Con is facing an unusual situation this year. Because of the actors’ strike that paralyzed Hollywood, artists are banned from publishing their work including old projects. Many of them didn’t even show up for the event and those who did show up had to improvise. Ewan McGregor was scheduled for an hourlong conversation about his career and ended up presenting a tea recipe to a packed audience of 3,000 fans, many of whom were dressed as Jedi Knights from Star Wars.
The 52yearold Scot avoided any controversy with the North American actors’ union SAGAFTRA and did not mention any of the films he has worked on.
The closest McGregor got to Star Wars was when a fan offered him a Stormtrooperthemed razor, which he politely declined. Talking about motorcycles, he said he would like to have a speeder bike, a vehicle used by characters in the space saga. “But I don’t think they’ve been produced yet,” he said.
The panel discussion also covered everyday topics. When asked whether he preferred coffee or tea, the actor risked committing heresy with the British and chose the former.
“But I just finished working in the UK and it was the longest time I’ve spent there since I moved to the US in 2008. Then I drank tea again, because that’s how they do it there. I don’t think North Americans do that.” I don’t know how I can appreciate this art so much.
McGregor even enthusiastically showed how to prepare the “perfect tea”. “You take your kettle and heat it up, pour boiling water in, swirl it to heat and pour it out. Then you add water and tea. If you let it steep for less than three minutes, it will have the color but not the taste. If you wait longer than three, you’ll get both and the ideal tea. God, I can hear my grandmother’s voice saying that (laughs),” he joked, who gave an extra tip: “Put some milk in the cup and only then the tea. And no sugar or honey, it’s already sweet enough!”
ObiWan Kenobi’s interpreter also recalled the time he lived in New York and named his favorite places in the city the NoHo, SoHo and TriBeCa region but declined to mention a local culinary classic. “I’m not a big bagel eater,” he admitted, almost apologetically.
Without being able to talk about cinema or television, the Scot mentioned his theater work. “I’ve played a few villains in my career, I played Iago in a production of Othello in London [em 2007], and he is considered the great villain of the arts. At the beginning it was a very dark montage, which gradually became lighter. At the end of the first act you could see everyone in the audience. I saw some friends come over unannounced, which made me nervous when I noticed them there. But the most memorable session was the one attended by my daughter Esther. It’s a hard piece and she was very young, but she loved everything!”
Almost at the end of the conversation, when the actor realized that some fans did not understand why questions about Star Wars had not been asked, he decided to explain himself. “I support the strike on my union’s side 100%. It’s difficult to be here and not be able to talk about the films. I know it must be frustrating not being able to listen too,” he explained.
“The strike is very important and it is important that we do this. There are so many things that need to be addressed and it’s a shame that studios are waiting so long for a solution. But it was important for me to be here and see you because we make the films for you.”