Extra reveals chat with George Clooney on 'The Boys in The Boat'

The cast and crew of The Boys in the Boat spent a big part of 2022 at Cotswold Water Park as they turned the picturesque lakes and villages of South Cerney and Ashton Keynes into a convincing recreation of 1930s America for the inspirational drama.

And now one extra from the film, from Swindon, has revealed he received special advised from the silver screen icon.

The film, which hits the box office on Friday, is based on a 2013 book by Daniel James and tells the story of the University of Washington men's junior rowing team, who astonished the world by winning gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

It counts Callum Turner and Joel Edgerton among its stars and required crowds of extras to help bring its biggest scenes to life.

Nathan Pegler, from the Swindon area, was delighted to get the chance to share scenes with Mr Edgerton and receive direction from George Clooney himself.

The 49-year-old has racked up an array of often-wordless roles as a featured extra in Loki, Doctor Who, Poldark, No Time to Die, and Casualty.

In this Hollywood production, he plays the principal of Washington University in a scene where Joel Edgerton’s character explains that the junior team will be competing in the Olympics.

Nathan Pegler as a featured extra in The Boys in the Boat (Image: Nathan Pegler)

While filming in a London pub set later on, Nathan was unexpectedly asked to step into a second featured role and react to radio commentary of the climactic race.

Mr Pegler said: “I was set to go home for the day when one of the crew suggested I change into another costume and follow them.

"I was announced onto set as 'Nathan the bar manager' and George Clooney thanked me for stepping up. I said I was grateful to be involved.

Joel Edgerton, George Clooney, Callum Turner and Bruce Herbelin-Earle attend a screening of The Boys in the Boat. Picture: PA (Image: PA)

"He was really nice and down to Earth, very humble - and tanned. It was great to watch him work and have a brief interaction, I'll never forget it.

"It was very unexpected. I also didn't know that I was going to be standing on a podium with Joel Edgerton in another scene. That's part of why I love doing this job, it was really cool."

Nathan is looking forward to seeing himself on the big screen.

He added: "I know that I made the cut, so it will be a nice experience to watch it at the cinema in Swindon with my wife, and it was lovely to be able to film a few days locally."