Jack Reynor on directing: 'I don't want to be that w**ky actor who says he's a director'

Jack Reynor has opened up about trying his hand at directing, and fears that he will be seen as “that w**ky actor” who sees himself as a director.

The Sing Street star is hoping to do some work behind the camera in the future, but knows that he’s no Lenny Abrahamson.

“I’m hoping to make a couple of short films this year and I’ll submit them to a couple of small festivals.

“I don’t want to be that wanky actor who goes ‘I’m a director, wait and see how f**king intelligent I am.’ I just want to see if it’s a skill that I actually have,” he told IMAGE.

Different role: Jack wants to work more behind the camera | PATRICK O’LEARY

“I do have an interest in building my production company and ultimately having an opportunity to be behind the camera as much as I’m in front of it.

“But I’m not jumping into directing any What Richard Dids or any Rooms over the next couple of years.

On the topic of being named a ‘Rising Star’ regularly, the 24-year-old puts it down to being careful with what film projects he has chosen since he broke into the industry.

“I want to be seen to be a reputable actor. Someone who’s worked very hard at what they’ve done and who’s put in good performances and thought about every step that they’ve taken in their career.”

Careful: Jack is careful about what he chooses to work on | Andrew Cooper/Paramount Pictures

“My public profile has burned very slowly. I suppose, in a way, I haven’t become that thing of being a big franchise movie star and everybody in the world knows who you are.

“I’ve had the opportunity to work with some of the most interesting and unique filmmakers that are working today. And I’ve played very interesting and very dynamic characters in their films.

“I think people are slowly but surely starting to see a picture of my career is actually about,” he admitted.

Success: Jack wants to be in the film industry for a long time | BRIAN MCEVOY

Speaking about his future in the film industry, Jack revealed that he wants to be careful about who he works with so his career as an actor isn’t cut short.

“If you try and work with people who are about to break, if you work with people whose films have the potential of being a sensation out of nowhere, it’s probably better for you in the long run.

“My approach is that I want to be in this industry for forty years rather than have all of the trappings of massive success overnight and be gone by the time I’m twenty-nine,” he added.