Revealed: 'If James Corden wins a Golden Globe I'll hide under a table while he annihilates me': Harvey Weinstein on how he picked Brit star for new movie One Chance

By Sara Nathan

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Standing on the awards podium, there is just one man whose name is uttered on the lips of every A List winner - Harvey Weinstein.

The legendary movie producer and studio executive has been dubbed 'The Punisher' by Madonna and 'God' by Meryl Streep - and now he is just waiting for Brit star James Corden to win a gong so the comedian can lambast him.

James, 35, stars in new Weinstein movie, One Chance, out today in the UK, and speaking to MailOnline, Mr Weinstein, 61, said: 'If James Corden wins Best Actor for a comedy or musical at the Golden Globes I will watch the speech under the table, that's my vow. I don't trust him not to annihilate me.'

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'One Chance is about a guy from a steel town who's been bullied his whole life, has the most tremendous misfortune, yet refuses to give up on the one thing he wants to do,' said James Corden

'One Chance is about a guy from a steel town who's been bullied his whole life, has the most tremendous misfortune, yet refuses to give up on the one thing he wants to do,' said James Corden

The film is loosely based on the true-life story of Britain's Got Talent winner Paul Potts, a cell-phone saleman from Port Talbot in Wales who stunned Simon Cowell at his audition by warbling opera - a YouTube clip now watched by more than 120million people.

Paul went on to become an opera sensation around the world, however, Mr Weinstein points out the movie is not a Paul Potts biopic, saying: 'When the director David Frankel and I sat down to talk about the film, we were inspired by Paul Potts, but we used him a base story.

Mr Oscar: Movie producer Harvey Weinstein is the man behind One Chance - and says he sees it as a Billy Ellliot-style story

Mr Oscar: Movie producer Harvey Weinstein is the man behind One Chance - and says he sees it as a Billy Ellliot-style story

'It is much more of a mainstream comedy that delights people, it's more of an inspirational Cinderella story like Billy Elliot.

'We went to Italy and we created some characters not in Paul Potts' life, like a beautiful Italian girl. We've made the story much funnier.

'I read the script before I saw the Paul Potts video and to me we could have made this entirely fictional.'

James has agreed: 'This isn’t really a film about opera...It’s about a guy from a steel town who’s been bullied his whole life, has the most tremendous misfortune, yet refuses to give up on the one thing he wants to do.’

Director Frankel, who helmed the movie hit The Devil Wears Prada, wanted to work with James and after seeing the Brit star perform on Broadway in his Tony-winning role in One Man, Two Guvnors, Mr Weinstein was enthralled.

Stars were linked with the movie, but Mr Weinstein revealed: 'I really wouldn't make the movie without him. There were much more famous Americans willing to take the movie, but I just wanted to work with James.

'When I saw him in One Man, Two Guvnors, I thought 'this is a leading man in a comedian's body'. I just wanted to work with him.


'You watch the film and think, how many more terrible things can happen to this guy?' said director David Frankel, who made The Devil Wears Prada

'You watch the film and think, how many more terrible things can happen to this guy?' said director David Frankel, who made The Devil Wears Prada

Nessun Dormant: Wannabe opera singer (James Corden) with Julie-Ann (Alexandra Roach)

Nessun Dormant: Wannabe opera singer (James Corden) with Julie-Ann (Alexandra Roach)

'The big problem with James,' he joked: 'Is his potty mouth, he could do a really serious take and then switch off and immediately tell me how funny he was..

'And I have to tell you 'I'm sending him a bill for the hours of overtime that he cost us in making the crew laugh.'

He added: 'If he wins the Golden Globe, I'm going to have to leave town and sell my house.'

James is now working on Disney's Into The Woods alongside Meryl Streep, a close friend of Mr Weinstein and he said: 'I had a note from Meryl saying how funny and charming James is on set'.

The comedian, famed for writing BBC comedy Gavin & Stacey. also introduced the movie chief to close friend, Take That star Gary Barlow, who has now written songs for Weinstein musical Neverland, being executive produced by Weinstein Company's Victoria Parker.

And Mr Weinstein admitted: 'I think James might be out for my job, I'm hearing rumours.'

As for all the accolades from stars, Mr Weinstein insisted: 'I promise you, it's not mandatory, they're really making fun of me. Meryl, Madonna - they all get their opportunity under the guise of thanking me.'

‘One Chance’ is out in the UK today and out in the US in January

Beautiful pair: Julia Carey and James Corden hit the red carpet for the One Chance film premiere in London on Thursday evening

Beautiful pair: Julia Carey and James Corden hit the red carpet for the One Chance film premiere in London last week


Dressed up for the occasion: James Corden looked dapper in his suit, complete with brogues with white laces, at the red carpet event
Ecstatic: Paul Potts looked ecstatic as he was photographed on the red carpet in a smart suit, polka dot tie and patent shoes

Hollywood is calling: James Corden and Paul Potts seen at the One Chance premiere in London's Leciester Square last week


Supporting each other: Paul Potts and wife Julie-Ann Potts smile for the cameras together on the red carpet in front of scores of fans

Supporting each other: Paul Potts and wife Julie-Ann Potts smile for the cameras together on the red carpet in front of scores of fans

 

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

Don't worry, Harvey. By the reviews I've seen so far, he doesn't stand a chance....

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Cordon can't act for toffee.

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"Cell-phone salesman"? I thought he was from the UK? Mind you, I thought this was a UK newspaper.

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I cannot believe I am saying this but I am actually looking forward to watching this film. James is brilliantly funny and I am sure this film will have me laughing from start to finish, whilst having a touching storyline to go with it.

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James Corden and his ego? Too much for one film. Can not stand him.

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Cannot wait to see this..

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Sounds like a horrifically bad movie and James Corden will no doubt turn this character into the same one he always plays.

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