Elle Talks with Max Irons

The new film 'Red Riding Hood' is based on a fairy tale, so it makes sense that its breakout star looks like *this*. Meet Max Irons, Hollywood's next Prince Charming. 

The youngest son of Academy Award-winning actor Jeremy Irons (famously dubbed the “thinking woman’s sex symbol”) and Irish actress Sinéad Cusack, Irons was beseeched by both parents to avoid a career in Hollywood. “They immediately said, ‘You will most likely have a life of unhappiness, financial turmoil, jealousy, and paranoia,’ ” says Irons, who studied at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama (Daniel Craig and Ewan McGregor are alums). “But when your parents give advice, your brain goes into a certain mode.”

 The next Edward Cullen? Handpicked by Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke, who launched the careers of brooding heartthrobs Rob Pattinson and Emile Hirsch, Irons nabbed the role of Amanda Seyfried’s wealthy suitor in this month’s Red Riding Hood, a darkly sexy reboot of the beloved fairy tale. “When Max walked in to audition, I remember thinking, Oh, no,” Hardwicke says. “He’s 6'3", drop-dead gorgeous, and has this crazy magnetism.” As for his acting ability? “Like Rob, Max is fearless and physically throws himself into a character. [But] is he capable of evil? Max has a soulful quality where he’s able to channel that.” Just don’t expect any bleary-eyed vamp sulking. “If you try to bring ‘teen drama,’ ” Irons says, “you end up doing nothing but pouting.”

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