Domhnall Gleeson Recalls How Adam Driver Pushed His Acting Limits

Gleeson recently shared his experience working alongside Driver, noting that the intensity of their early scenes in The Force Awakens required constant navigation. When Gleeson repeated a line multiple times with the same inflection, Driver intervened from behind his mask, pointing out that he hadn't heard that particular choice before. This prompt acted as a catalyst for Gleeson to pivot his performance, a quality he now identifies as the hallmark of a truly great actor.

Beyond his creative collaboration with Driver, Gleeson offered a humorous explanation for General Hux’s perpetually furious expression in The Last Jedi. The actor revealed he spent the night before shooting in a hotel infested with bedbugs. Despite his complaints, management dismissed his concerns and suggested he wear pajamas to avoid bites. Gleeson believes the resulting physical irritation and lack of sleep directly bled into his portrayal of the character’s volatile demeanor on set.

Regarding the conclusion of his tenure in the franchise, Gleeson admitted he wished the films had explored the deeper, quieter bitterness of Hux. He viewed the character as a "kicked dog" capable of genuine danger, a narrative thread he felt was cut short when Richard E. Grant’s character killed him in The Rise of Skywalker. Despite these creative regrets, Gleeson remains pragmatic about the production, noting that while he would have enjoyed a longer arc for his spy storyline, he trusted director J.J. Abrams’ vision for the final cut.