Giacomo Gianniotti and his Rome

Our interview with the actor called by Manetti Bros to play Diabolik

From the white coat of Dr Andrew DeLuca in Grey’s Anatomy to the black bodysuit of the most famous masked robber of all time. This is Giacomo Gianniotti, the Italian-born, naturalised Canadian actor chosen by the Manetti Bros to play Diabolik in the second and third episodes of their trilogy about the King of Terror, created 60 years ago by the Giussani sisters.

Giacomo Gianniotti (ph. Dirk Vogel)

Although we know little as yet about the third chapter, the second, Ginko Attacks!, in cinemas this November, also stars Miriam Leone, once again outstanding as sidekick Eva Kant; Valerio Mastandrea as the unstoppable Ginko and, as his secret lover, series newcomer Monica Bellucci.

Born in Rome in 1989, you moved to Canada at the age of six, but continued to visit your birthplace frequently and, aged just ten, made your first screen appearance here in La bomba, alongside Vittorio and Alessandro Gassman. How did it happen? And is that what ignited your passion for acting? 

My uncle Guido had a friend who worked in casting. He was looking for an agile kid who could jump, climb up netting, fall without getting hurt… and he thought of me. When he asked me, I told him I didn’t know what being in a film meant. As it happened, that moment changed my life forever. I realised I wanted to be an actor and work with other actors to tell stories and make people think about why we’re here and the power of love.

Grey’s Anatomy brought global fame in the shape of Dr Andrew DeLuca, the only Italian character in the series. What was it like?

I wanted him to speak Italian, I knew that would be a triumph for me and for Italy. But the question was “who with?” So my wonderful friend Stefania Spampinato and I created another character, DeLuca’s sister, to enable the scenes in Italian.

Giacomo Gianniotti in Diabolik

But let’s talk about Diabolik; from a positive person like Dr Andrew DeLuca to the King of Terror is a pretty radical change… what helped you get into the character?

I was fortunate that I had more than six months to make the transformation in a number of ways. The greatest challenge was probably the physical aspect: it was essential to create the perfect, iconic figure of Diabolik. I learned how to throw knives, read the comic books and watched hours and hours of documentaries about panthers, the animal that inspired the Diabolik character.

Were you already a Diabolikreader?

I was familiar with him, but frankly I wasn’t one of those massive fans with the whole collection of comics. I only had one copy on my bookshelves when the Manetti brothers first contacted me.

Diabolik e Eva Grent (Giacomo Gianniotti e Miriam Leone)

What’s it like to play a character from a comic?

On the one hand it’s a huge and constant responsibility, which we all felt: actors, writers, directors, producers… But on the other hand there’s great freedom, because no one’s ever heard Diabolik’s voice, no-one’s seen him walk or heard his footsteps, and that opens up a world of possibilities, which it was brilliant to explore with the directors.

How was working with Miriam Leone and Valerio Mastandrea? 

Most of my scenes are with Miriam. We got on well immediately. We both wanted to do an exceptional job, make something the Giussani sisters would have been proud of. With Valerio there was a noticeable shift of gear: with him every day is filled with laughter; it’s not easy being Diabolik when Valerio’s around!

Giacomo Gianniotti with Miriam Leone and the Manetti Bros

What can you tell us about these two new Diabolikfilms? 

The attention to detail is incredible. The main focus is the relationship between Diabolik and Eva, their connection, their love, as well as the action. We wanted a trip to the cinema to be a really exciting experience.

Any more projects in the pipeline? Apart from the third Diabolikfilm of course?

I can’t say too much, but I think I’ll be coming back to Italy for another secret project, a wonderful one. 

Giacomo Gianniotti in Diabolik

So here we are in Rome: what are the places of your childhood here? 

The EUR Lake, Trastevere and Garbatella.

And which do you like to visit when you return now?

I love going back to Trastevere and Campo de’ Fiori, where I worked as a barman when I was young. I like to have a coffee at Sant’Eustachio, by the Pantheon, and take a walk at Villa Borghese, a place my wife’s also very fond of.

What do you miss most when you’re away from Rome?

My family. 

What’s your favourite Roman food?

There’s a restaurant in Trastevere called Ai Bozzi. They make a risotto with scampi cream and truffle that’s to die for. You really shouldn’t miss it!