S Poddar
Rosamund Pike and Guy Ritchie grinned from ear to ear as they spent the day shooting at Sandown Racecourse in Esher, Surrey. The pair, joined by a star-studded cast including Anthony Hopkins, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Cosmo Jarvis, were on set filming Ritchie’s new film, Wife And Dog.
The much-awaited film also features a strong cast in James Norton, Paddy Considine, and Pip Torrens. Based on a true story, the film is about a scientist who unmasks the threats of a common pesticide and sets off against a mighty corporation. As things get heated up, paranoia and indignation start to spread, leading to an edge-of-your-seat and engaging plot.
Rosamund Pike, who was remembered for her standout role in Saltburn, went for a fashionable but warm look on the set. She dressed up in a tan trench coat, which she layered over a khaki striped jumper and matching trousers. A multicolored scarf added a dash of color to her outfit, which she topped off with dark brown boots.
Benedict Cumberbatch kept it classic with a dark brown jacket, a crisp white shirt, and black jeans, perfectly suited for the film’s aesthetic.
The atmosphere on set appeared lively and relaxed, with cast and crew enjoying the day’s work. Ritchie, known for his energetic directing style, engaged with the actors, ensuring every scene was executed flawlessly.
Beyond the film’s buzz, Rosamund Pike recently made headlines for a different reason—her 12-year-old son, Solo Uniacke, became a viral sensation in China after clinching the top spot at a global Mandarin-language competition. The young prodigy was crowned champion at the Chinese Bridge contest for primary school students, held in Tianjin, China, on October 28.
Solo, who has been studying Mandarin since he was three years old, now knows more than 400 Chinese characters. Although Mandarin boasts a vast vocabulary with over 50,000 characters, a fluent speaker would only need around 2,500. His language feat went viral on social media, with most users admiring his proficiency.
After winning, Solo stated that he will keep on learning the language until he can be dubbed “the first Chinese with blonde hair.” His effort and ability to become fluent in Mandarin have created an online trend of appreciation. One user from Instagram wrote, “How cool!” Another from X (previously Twitter) remarked, “His Chinese is better than mine.”
TikTok followers also chimed in, one of them remarking, “Oh my gosh, that is hella impressive.” Another indicated Rosamund Pike’s huge love for Chinese culture, mentioning her participation in the forthcoming adaptation of Three Body Problem.
Rosamund Pike and her long-time boyfriend, Robie Uniacke, have two sons—Solo and his 10-year-old brother Atom. The actress had earlier admitted that her children are bilingual because Uniacke, a mathematician, chose to learn Mandarin from scratch. She jokingly explained his method of doing it in an appearance on The Graham Norton Show as either “brilliant, stubborn, or a clever way to single-parent.”
She further explained that during the lockdown, she felt that there was a chance for her to learn the language herself so she could keep abreast of what her children were saying.
During the promotion of Gone Girl back in 2015, Pike revealed that her boyfriend had even given her a Chinese name, Péi Chúnhuá. She preferred the Chinese media to refer to her using this name out of respect to Chinese film lovers.
Aside from her acting career path, Pike has been a vocal supporter of the Chinese Bridge competition, which honors students from across the globe with their proficiency in the Mandarin language. In a video message congratulating this year’s finalists, she applauded the program, stating,
“The organization has been so inspiring. The things you’ve done, the videos I’ve seen, the pictures—it all just looks amazing. Huge congratulations to all the children, parents, and teachers who have put in such a fantastic effort.”
With Wife And Dog causing a stir and Pike’s private life being splashed across the headlines, it’s evident that she’s still a force to be contended with, both on and off screen. As production rolls on, fans are eagerly anticipating what is set to be another thrilling addition to Guy Ritchie’s portfolio.
