Irvine: Landing Spielberg lead was 'mindblowing'

Jeremy Irvine wasn't told he was auditioning for 'War Horse' for two months.

The 21-year-old British actor admits he had an idea what the mystery project was as he was trying out but wasn't officially told it was Steven Spielberg's wartime drama.

He said: "It was a long process, doing lots of cold readings. I had kind of guessed this was 'War Horse' for Steven Spielberg, but we hadn't really talked about it."

Adapted from the book by acclaimed children's writer Michael Morpurgo, 'War Horse' tells the story of an Irish lad, played by Irvine, who enlists to service in WWI after his beloved horse, Joey, is sold to the cavalry.

Jeremy admitted learning he had landed the lead role was "mindblowing" because he had admired the director's work for so long.

He recalled to website This Is Fake DIY: "I get a phone call at 9 o'clock at night, saying 'Can you come and meet Steven Spielberg for tea tomorrow morning?' It's just ridiculous! I grew up watching 'E.T.' and 'Jurassic Park', as most people did, and to suddenly be meeting the man himself, one of the best directors ever, is just mindblowing. When I was in the chorus with the Royal Shakespeare Company, I thought 'This is it, it doesn't get any better!'"

Jeremy was pleased the filmmaker put him at ease on the set of the film because he was terrified of getting fired for not being good enough.

He said: "You constantly expect someone to tap you on the shoulder and say, 'We've worked you out - you're not actually a very good actor.' Every scene I was terrified.

"You get on set, and Steven's greatest asset is that it feels so normal and relaxed. He's so lovely and approachable. I mean, on the back of his chair, instead of 'director' he's got 'Dad' written on it!"

'War Horse' opens in Ireland on January 13.