Colin Firth, Taron Egerton and Mark Strong discuss second film in comedy-action series

Even the second time round, donning tailor-made double-breasted suits offered satisfaction for the actors of “Kingsman: The Golden Circle.”

“With regard to fighting in those suits, it has its moments,” said Taron Egerton, who plays headstrong protagonist Eggsy Unwin in the “Kingsman” series, at a press conference at CGV Yongsan in Seoul, Thursday.

“But you feel so good in (the suits), and it’s such a flattering style that you don’t begrudge them whilst you’re fighting.”

Colin Firth, Taron Egerton and Mark Strong attend a press conference at CGV Yongsan in Seoul, Thursday. (Kim So-yeon / The Korea Herald)

English actor Colin Firth, who is resurrected as veteran agent Harry Hart in the upcoming film after a sudden death in the first installment, says he went through extensive physical training for both films.

“My attitude to physical exertion and action in film (in the past) has been, ‘bring on the stunt double and I’ll have some valuable time in my trailer,’” Firth joked. “So I was surprised when the pain I went through started to become enjoyable,” he said of his fitness regime and the films’ lengthy fight scenes.

“I’d reached a point of surprise in my advanced years -- the more physical action, the better. I find it ... simpler than acting, in a strange sort of way,” said the actor, 57.

Post-training, his suits had been fitted accordingly, he said. “I got leaner. The tailor exploited that. The leaner I got, the slimmer the suits got. ... The fighting (scenes) did involve a larger version of the suit. I simply wouldn’t have been able to move.”

Mark Strong, who plays stern agent Merlin, also confessed his love for the signature “Kingsman” look.

“Somebody once told me that I’m Italian casual, whatever that means. But I do love a nice suit and ... being able to wear those fantastic double-breasted suits was a real treat.”

The 2014 comedy-action flick “Kingsman: The Secret Service” was a major box office hit here, selling over 6 million tickets. Korean fans were particularly vocal in their support for the film -- so much so that three years ago, the cast of “Kingsman” promised to visit Korea if a second film were to be made.

Colin Firth, Taron Egerton and Mark Strong pose at a photo session during a press conference at CGV Yongsan in Seoul, Thursday. (Kim So-yeon / The Korea Herald)

The actors stressed their gratitude to the Korean audience.

Egerton, 27, who made his big screen debut with the 2014 film, expressed a debt of gratitude for the success of “Kingsman” to Korea and gave it credit for kicking off his career.

“I was overwhelmed by the reaction from this country for the first film,” Firth said. “I got so much feedback ... I was extremely moved by that and I wanted to come ... to express gratitude.”

Korea is the only Asian country in which the actors will be holding a promotional press conference for the second “Kingsman.”

“We don’t go everywhere,” Firth noted. “We were in the US and the UK, and it was very important that we come here.”

After Firth’s Harry Hart was killed in the first film, much speculation circulated about his potential return to the series.

“Matthew sounded fairly resolute about being done with me the first time and I was obviously delighted that he felt I was worth resurrecting,” Firth said of his return, referring to the films’ director Matthew Vaughn. “We were very aware of the challenge as we all were trying to take a much loved piece of work and ... do something else with it.”

The second film features the Statesman, a secret service organization from the US, featuring American actors Halle Berry, Pedro Pascal and Channing Tatum.

“Kingsman: The Golden Circle” will hit Korean theaters on Wednesday.

By Rumy Doo (doo@heraldcorp.com)

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