Grammer pays blue suede dues

Kelsey Grammer is blue.

Yes, literally ... blue. Well, that's because the former Frasier star is playing Beast, the brilliant scientist/mutant with superhuman strength and endurance, in X-Men: The Last Stand.

(enlarge photo) Kelsey Grammer as The Beast in 'X-Men: The Last Stand.' Read reviews of 'X-Men: The Last Stand'

Grammer had a thing or two to say recently about his latest role.

On the studio's reluctance to cast him: "Matthew Vaughn was originally slated to direct. (Rush Hour's Brett Ratner took over two months before filming began). He was the one who said, 'Kelsey Grammer is the only guy who could play this.' There was some resistance at Fox because I did that other show for 20 years. There was certainly some consternation. But once I sat down and talked to people ... (that) allayed their fears and let them know (I'm) an actor. Put some blue fur on him and he's gonna kick a—."

On the difficulty of playing The Beast: "I had a clue but I had no real understanding how physically challenging (the role was) going to be. We (actors) are children. We live to play memorable characters and different characters and to explore what it's like to be inside the mind of someone else. This guy is arguably really fascinating. It was more challenging than I thought it would be, but I'm OK."

On how he approached playing Beast: "He is man of great moral rectitude. He's a man who's always poised and ready to do something extraordinary and that's why he's a superhero."

On acting in blue fur: "It's not fun at all. (But) I was the only cast member who was warm when we were shooting outside."