Andy Serkis (3:09)

We've used it for years now, 25 years, you know, going back to the day, and it's called Golly Juice. And Golly Juice is basically honey, lemon and ginger. But I've always felt it lacks to.

Stephen Colbert (3:23)

And what did it lack?

Andy Serkis (3:24)

It lacked a little certain something which, you know, I mean, there's plenty of things one could put in with honey, lemon and ginger.

Stephen Colbert (3:31)

Right.

Andy Serkis (3:31)

I'm just wondering.

Stephen Colbert (3:32)

Just to keep it sterile.

Andy Serkis (3:33)

Nice.

Stephen Colbert (3:34)

Cheers.

Andy Serkis (3:34)

Thank you.

Stephen Colbert (3:38)

That is the real deal, you know.

Andy Serkis (3:41)

That's good.

Stephen Colbert (3:42)

I could use this, because at least for the next few weeks, I've got a voice. I do. That is terrible.

Andy Serkis (3:46)

Yeah.

Stephen Colbert (3:47)

And I'll tell you what, Andy. It does absolutely. It ravages my larynx. Come to me, my precious. Okay, you. You have just directed an animated version of George Orwell's Animal Farm. I have. It's not only a famous story, but a famous cautionary tale, but abuse of power. And what made you want to tell this story?

Andy Serkis (4:15)

I mean, I read the book when I was about 12, going on the bus to school, the 273 bus to Ealing where I went to school. And I just remember reading this incre. Tale, this fairy tale, which obviously had dark themes underneath. I didn't fully understand what they were at the time, but I just knew. It hit me in so many different ways, and it made me want to eventually when I would be in a position to retell that tale.

Stephen Colbert (4:40)

We have a clip here. Is there anything we need to know?

Andy Serkis (4:43)

Okay, so a crucial thing is that the lead character in this. Because in the book, it's a very objective tale, but we wanted to see it through the eyes of a young piglet who believes himself to be one of the animals at the. At the beginning of the story, but then gets corrupted by Napoleon, who's played. Excuse me, by Seth Rogen, brilliantly, but this is. But he sees himself as an animal, and he lives in a stall with his horse friend, played by Woody Harrelson. And this is Gaten Matarazzo playing this young, innocent piglet. And Boxer. And Boxer, the great shire horse who's got such a strong work ethic. And this is a story where you see their relationship.

Lucky (Character in Animal Farm Clip) (5:19)

Yvonne, I got you a surprise. Boxer. It's extra milk.

Stephen Colbert (5:26)

Oh.

Boxer (Character in Animal Farm Clip) (5:28)

Aren't we supposed to share everything?

Lucky (Character in Animal Farm Clip) (5:33)

There's no more supposed tos anymore. Besides, I milk them. And you work hard, so here you go.

Boxer (Character in Animal Farm Clip) (5:40)

Oh, I don't know. I don't. I mean, it gives me a weird feeling in my heart, like. Well, like I'm doing a terrible thing by drinking milk that isn't mine. I mean, I guess that's just me.

Lucky (Character in Animal Farm Clip) (5:56)

I don't know, Boxer. Everything's just so different and new and confusing now. It's hard to know what to do.

Boxer (Character in Animal Farm Clip) (6:06)

You worry too much, Lucky. Remember what I always say, Just look up at the stars. They take all our worries away.

Stephen Colbert (6:21)

Good old boxing.

Andy Serkis (6:22)

Oh, Bolt. Sleep.

Stephen Colbert (6:24)

No spoilers. I found out recently, I actually found out from a mutual friend of ours who told us this and we have some photos here to prove it. You have a very. You have a hobby or a pastime? An adventure that holds no charm for me. You climb mountains?

Andy Serkis (6:45)

Yeah.

Stephen Colbert (6:46)

How did you become a mountaineer? What got you into this again?

Andy Serkis (6:50)

This was the 273 bus, going to school. It was a very profound experience, that bus. I read a book. I read a book about the first ascent of Everest and it just completely encapsulated me and made me want to climb mountains. And then I just started doing some rock climbing. Some local.

Stephen Colbert (7:06)

Well down in New Zealand. Did you ever meet Edmund Hillary?

Andy Serkis (7:09)

I did meet Edmund Hillary. He came down to set when we were filming and we sat and had lunch with him. And in actual fact, he signed his autobiography to Gollum. Lots of love, Edmund. I mean, it was. I have to say, I have never been so starstruck in my life.

Stephen Colbert (7:24)

Here you are at the Matterhorn. Did you ascend the Matterhorn?

Andy Serkis (7:27)

I did the solo ascent of the Matterhorn.

Stephen Colbert (7:28)

No, thank you. Solo?

Andy Serkis (7:29)

Yeah.

Stephen Colbert (7:31)

Didn't have any friends. All right, where are you here?

Andy Serkis (7:34)

I'm on the very summit of the Matterhorn.

Stephen Colbert (7:36)

That's the very summit of the Matterhorn?

Andy Serkis (7:38)

Yeah, it is.

Stephen Colbert (7:38)

What's the view like, Andy?

Andy Serkis (7:39)

It's quite. Quite terrifying, but quite wonderful.

Stephen Colbert (7:43)

And you like the terror?

Andy Serkis (7:45)

I find it keeps you on edge, you know, it keeps you kind of sharp.

Stephen Colbert (7:47)

And where are we here?

Andy Serkis (7:49)

That's on a trek with my family, actually, to Everest Base Camp. Uh huh. Uh huh.

Stephen Colbert (7:57)

My wife once signed up me and my boys to go climbing in the Tetons. Have you ever climbed in the Tetons.

Andy Serkis (8:02)

No, no.

Stephen Colbert (8:02)

They're very beautiful.

Andy Serkis (8:03)

Really?

Stephen Colbert (8:03)

I did not care for it. Well, Andy, always lovely to see you. Can I just.

Andy Serkis (8:10)

Before you, I just want to give you a little gift from our little Animal Farm film, which I thought you might like.

Stephen Colbert (8:19)

Yeah, I'll put it on, you read what it says.

Andy Serkis (8:21)

Okay. It actually reads make Animal Farm fictional again.

Stephen Colbert (8:28)

Animal Farm is in theaters May 1st. Andy Circus, everybody. Thank you for listening to the Late Show Pod show with Stephen Colbert. Just one more thing. If you want to see more of me, come to the late show, you YouTube channel for more clips and exclusives.

Narrator (Blood is Thicker Podcast) (8:47)

When beloved family patriarch Gary Farris went missing, his family looked everywhere on their property until they came across something horrifying. It's a homicide.

Stephen Colbert (8:57)

Absolutely.

Narrator (Blood is Thicker Podcast) (8:58)

The blame game in this family went round and round. This is Blood is Thicker, the Ferris wheel.

Stephen Colbert (9:05)

I would don't see how anyone can look at this story and think they were happy.

Narrator (Blood is Thicker Podcast) (9:09)

Binge the full series. Blood is Thicker, the Ferris wheel on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts.