I think I'm drawn to characters who are different and seen as outcasts, says Malek to TT.
"The Amateur" is based on a book, which was filmed as early as 1982 with the Swedish title "The Avenger Who Crossed the Border". The main character Heller works as a programmer at CIA. His wife is murdered during a trip to London in a terrorist attack – and Heller feels betrayed by the authorities, who he doesn't think are doing enough to find her murderer.
His knowledge of CIA's darker secrets allows him to force himself to receive training in weapons and hand-to-hand combat. Then Heller sets out into the world to find the terrorists – at the same time as CIA sends an assassin to take him out.
"Didn't understand everything"
Rami Malek's research before filming involved a lot of complicated computer technology.
I actually learned a bit when I did "Mr Robot", about how it works. But of course, I didn't understand everything that came up on the screens in "The Amateur". It was just a matter of pressing all the commands and looking like I had full control.
He won an Oscar for Best Male Lead for his portrayal of Queen singer Freddie Mercury in "Bohemian Rhapsody". As soon as that filming was finished, he knew what he wanted to do next: an action film. And that's what it's become – in "No Time to Kill" he became the man who killed James Bond and now in "The Amateur" he's a somewhat awkward but effective avenger.
I wanted to do action, because I think that in such films, there's all too rarely room for characters who are a bit introverted and seen as outsiders by their surroundings, he says.
"Felt like an outsider"
Malek believes that all people at some point in life feel like outsiders.
And is there anyone who really feels fully integrated into society? I actually don't know if I would even want to feel like anything other than an outsider.
Rami Malek lives in both Los Angeles and London. Right now, he's on the theater stage in London in a production of "Oedipus". And he's, not unexpectedly, pleased with his career.
Winning an Oscar opened many doors. But at the same time, I've never had any high-flying expectations. I just wanted to work as an actor. I'm pleased with what I've done. And if something even better comes along, I'm ready to receive it.
Age: 43 years.
Family: Girlfriend Emma Corrin.
Lives: In Los Angeles and London.
Occupation: Actor.
Previous roles in selection: "Mr Robot", "Battleship", "The Master", "Oldboy", "Bohemian Rhapsody", "No Time to Die", "Amsterdam", "Oppenheimer".
Currently in: "The Amateur", which gets its Swedish cinema premiere on 11/4.
