‘He was bold and playful!’: Benedict Cumberbatch learned to castrate bulls in preparation for his role in ‘Power of the Dog’
Benedict Cumberbatch learned how to castrate bulls in preparation for his role as a cowboy in Power of the Dog.
The 45-year-old actor, who played volatile rancher Phil Burbank in the film, spent two weeks learning ranch crafting with “real” Montana cowboy Randy Ryman.
Speaking of Benedict, Randy told The Times, “He was a really great athlete. He was clearly very frightened because it was so far away from his usual environment. But he was brave and he was in the game. By the end, he was just as bloody and dirty as the rest of us.”
Dedicated: Benedict Cumberbatch learned how to castrate bulls in preparation for his role as a cowboy in Power of the Dog
“It’s hot iron,” Randy said of the branding tool, adding that Benedict told him it made him sick.
This is definitely not a tattoo parlor. But he did not pretend that the stigma was anything to be afraid of. He learned the lesson well and took it to heart.”
This came after Benedict revealed that he helped save a family from a herd of cows and also learned how to squabble with cattle for his role in the film.
Done: This comes after Benedict revealed he helped save a family from a herd of cows by learning how to deal with cattle for his role in the movie.
The actor, who received an Oscar nomination for his role in the Netflix western, told Graham Norton that he managed to “spread waves” of animals in the field after returning from filming in August.
Benedict explained: “Jane encouraged me to stay in character. She was very confident about all the things I wasn’t sure about and said, “Do whatever you need to do to feel part of this completely different life experience.”
“So I went to Montana for two months to find out what it’s like to live on a ranch and experience all the things you see in the movie. It was incredible and so far removed from anything I’ve ever done.”
The Avengers star then revealed that his newfound herding skills were put to good use when he discovered a family trapped in a field by an intimidating herd of cows.
Star: The actor, who received an Oscar nomination for his role in the Netflix western, told Graham Norton that he managed to “spread waves” of animals in the field.
He explained, “I returned from filming the movie in August and we went to the beach. To get there, we had to cross the field, and in the field stood a petrified family that simply could not move, they were frozen because of a herd of cows with calves. ‘
“I thought, ‘I can do this,’ and I just split the waves of cattle. The family said: “It was incredible. Hey, aren’t you Sherlock?” That wasn’t Sherlock at all!’
Benedict also briefly touched on his Best Actor Oscar nomination after The Power of the Dog received a staggering 12 nods ahead of the ceremony next month.
He said, “Whatever happened that night, all of these nominations are fully deserved and obviously I’m thrilled that the four of us as a cast are nominated.
“We’ll be amazing on this dance floor – it’s going to be great no matter what happens.”
In the psychological drama, Benedict plays a secretive and violent rancher whose brother brings his new wife and her son home to the family ranch in 1920s Montana.
Cody Smith-McPhee takes on the role of Peter Gordon, who is tormented by Benedict’s controversial cowboy, Phil, while Kirsten Dunst plays Phil’s daughter-in-law Rose, who falls into alcoholism due to the rancher’s torment.
Dog Power was nominated for Best Actress, Achievement in Sound, Original Score, Adapted Screenplay, Supporting Actor, Film Editing, Cinematography, Production Design, Best Actor, Director and Best Picture.
Recognized: Benedict also briefly touched on his Best Actor Oscar nomination after “Dog Power” received a staggering 12 nods ahead of the ceremony next month.