Malcolm McDowell, 82, on new horror Et Tu: dishes on Kubrick, calls Shatner uppity — and admits he never plays the games he voices

Malcolm McDowell, now 82, is starring in the indie horror Et Tu, and he spoke about the film, his early theater work, A Clockwork Orange, and his voice work for video games in a recent interview. In Et Tu he plays the theater janitor; the film centers on a small-town theater director who loses his mind during a production of Julius Caesar and murders much of his cast. McDowell also revisited memories from the Royal Shakespeare Company, discussed working with Stanley Kubrick, and commented on colleagues such as William Shatner.

What the story covers: McDowell’s role in Et Tu, a Royal Shakespeare Company anecdote, his thoughts on A Clockwork Orange and Stanley Kubrick, a note on Star Trek: Generations, and his video game voice credits.

Et Tu and McDowell’s recent work

McDowell appears in the indie horror film Et Tu, in which he plays the theater janitor. The story follows a small-town theater director, played by Lou Diamond Phillips, who becomes violent during a production of Julius Caesar. McDowell said he read the script and thought it was “such a quirky, off-the-wall project,” and added that he enjoyed the manipulative Cockney character that he says the writers “wrote for me.”

Royal Shakespeare Company and early career

McDowell said he started as an extra at the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he recalled a backstage accident: “Thank god he wasn’t killed,” referring to an incident when John Barton fell into the orchestra pit. He described his RSC work as involving small parts and said that after leaving the company he soon got his first movie, If, directed by Lindsay Anderson. Later, Kubrick saw If and cast him in A Clockwork Orange.

A Clockwork Orange and Stanley Kubrick

McDowell discussed the lasting relevance of A Clockwork Orange, saying the film is about “the freedom of man to choose.” He called the film “more relevant now than when it came out,” and said that he knew it was good while making it, though he couldn’t fully predict its long-term impact.

He also recalled a wardrobe moment with director Stanley Kubrick, describing how Kubrick suggested he wear a cricket protector on the outside of his clothing — an element that became part of Alex and the Droogs’ look. McDowell commented on Kubrick’s view of his own work by saying that Kubrick “thought everything he did was a masterpiece.”

Star Trek: Generations and William Shatner

McDowell played a villain in Star Trek: Generations. He said he enjoyed working with Bill Shatner and that he knew Patrick Stewart from their Royal Shakespeare Company days. He described Shatner as “hilarious in many ways” and said, “I understand he can be a bit uppity at times, but I really admire him.” When asked about returning to the character, McDowell said, “Sure, why not? Though I don’t think there’s a place for him.”

Video games and voice roles

McDowell has performed voice work for several video games, including titles in the Elder Scrolls and Fallout series. He said he does not play the games he voices: “I never play the games. They sent me a box of them. They’re still in my garage. I haven’t opened it.”

He noted his role in Fallout 3 as President Eden and described his voice approach there: “I kind of did my little version of Ronnie Reagan, ‘My fellow Americans, I’m talking to you from the Oval Office,’ and all that bullshit.” McDowell also mentioned Call of Duty: Black Ops III, saying its script was “really well written.”

Other collaborations

McDowell said he has worked with director Rob Zombie on multiple projects, including playing Dr. Loomis in Zombie’s 2007 Halloween remake. He described Rob Zombie as someone he respects and noted that when Zombie asks him to do a project, he accepts without hesitation. He also referenced a small film he did with June Squibb, Thelma, and questioned why she was not nominated for awards.