Gary Oldman calls 'Mank' his most challenging role

Gary Oldman has called his portrayal of Herman J Mankiewicz in David Fincher’s upcoming biopic Mank the “most challenging of any role” that he’s ever had.

The Academy Award winner and star of The Darkest Hour made the admission during a conversation with USA Today, ahead of Mank’s release on Netflix on December 4.

Though Oldman was quick to add the role of Mankiewicz was a “joy.”

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Oldman revealed he initially struggled with the part because director David Fincher told him, “I want you as absolutely naked as you’ve ever been. There’s no wig, no teeth, no forced noses. Just you.”

Having previously played Sid Vicious, Beethoven, Sirius Black, James Gordon, and Winston Churchill, Oldman is first to admit that he does enjoy “the odd disguise to hide behind.” However, he also says that he struggled with portraying a character who had so much “self-loathing.”

Written by Fincher’s father Jack Fincher, who died at the age of 72 in 2003, Mank primarily revolves around Mankiewicz’s efforts to write Citizen Kane, widely acknowledged as one of the best movies ever made.

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It explores Mankiewicz’s battle to receive credit from the film’s star, producer, director, and co-writer Orson Welles.

There’s a huge amount of hype surrounding Mank, especially since the coronavirus pandemic has already decimated the Awards season. It is expected to be one of the front runners at next year’s Academy Awards, with many critics even suggesting that it might finally land Fincher Best Director.