Talking to Chanel’s New Leading Man Michiel Huisman

○ “Today Chanel released its dreamy new N°5 film, The One That I Want, starring supermodel Gisele Bündchen and actor Michiel Huisman. Huisman is quickly becoming the actor du jour, appearing in Reese Witherspoon’s highly anticipated movie Wild this December, in the romantic drama The Age of Adaline with Blake Lively coming out next year, and most notably, as Khaleesi’s lover Daario Naharis in Game of Thrones. We caught up with Huisman over the phone yesterday, while he was busy filming the new season of Game of Thrones in Belfast, to talk about his experience shooting the Baz Luhrmann–directed ad campaign.

 

How did you become involved in The One That I Want?

Well, I think that’s something that Baz and the casting director had been thinking up. To me it was quite a surprise actually. Between finding out that there was interest in me for this little film and actually flying out to New York to start shooting it, I think maybe 48 hours or less went by.

 

How was it working with Baz?

It was fantastic. I never even saw a script. He just wanted to have Gisele and me in the room and talk us through the story that he had in mind, take us by the hand and lead us in this little Chanel journey. I think he’s one of the great directors of our time and after working with him for a couple of days, I completely understand his passion. It was contagious and fun to be in an actor in front of his lens. Any time he reconsiders a role, I hope he knows where to find me!

 

How was this experience different from shooting shows such as Orphan Black and Game of Thrones?

First of all, they’re really trying to nail perfection in every shot. It would take half a day to get a little shot right and with shows you just don’t have the time to do that. It’s also different in that there was no dialogue in the film so it made it a little dreamier and artsier.

 

Were you familiar with Chanel beforehand?

Yes of course! I think anyone who has ever been aware of how people look, I mean they just have such a strong, classy, brand. To be part of that is an honor—and my wife, of course, loved it too. ”