As a film enthusiast, I can hardly contain my excitement for the upcoming Bob Dylan biopic. The prospect of witnessing Timothée Chalamet embody such an iconic figure is nothing short of thrilling. It’s not every day that one gets to be a part of something as universally anticipated as this movie.
A decade ago, Scoot McNairy and Mackenzie Davis first teamed up for the TV show Halt and Catch Fire, which aired on AMC and was about to finish its inaugural season. This underdog drama soon gained both critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase. The series, set against the backdrop of the personal computing and internet revolutions in the ’80s and ’90s, featured McNairy as Gordon Clark and Davis as Cameron Howe – two brilliant computer experts who held each other in high regard. Alongside Kerry Bishé’s Donna Clark and Lee Pace’s Joe MacMillan, their characters navigated complex romantic and business partnerships while their relationships developed against the dynamic landscape of the industry they helped innovate.
The dynamic between McNairy and Davis’ characters was typically sibling-like, so when James Watkins released the first trailer for “Speak No Evil” in April last year, revealing McNairy and Davis as Ben and Louise Dalton, a married couple, it came as a shock to the “Halt” fanbase. Both actors have acknowledged an initial awkwardness on set of their new psychological horror-thriller, but given that the Daltons are experiencing marital strife, they found this discomfort useful. In the end, McNairy attributes Davis’ acting abilities for quickly erasing any lingering on-screen history between them.
McNairy explains to The Hollywood Reporter that instead of the complex process of manipulating chemistry or making it occur, it was already naturally present between them. He adds, “Over time, as an actor playing a role, some aspects of the character’s dynamics might seep into your personal relationships. However, Mackenzie is an incredibly dedicated performer, and our rapport developed swiftly. I feel fortunate that things fell into place, especially since many Halt and Catch Fire fans are surprised yet pleased by this.
In a fresh adaptation of Christian Tafdrup’s 2022 Danish film, the Daltons travel to an English countryside farmhouse owned by James McAvoy’s character Paddy and Aisling Franciosi’s character Ciara. They become friends during a vacation in Tuscany with their young families. However, things don’t go as planned, leading to a series of events. The main question about this Blumhouse-Universal production was whether it would preserve the eerily terrifying ending as seen in the original. Instead, director Watkins chose to steer towards a more optimistic conclusion, which actor McNairy (a father of two) found appealing.
McNairy expresses that both movies are excellent individually, yet he found the original lacking in a way that resonated with him personally. He wished the parents would have confronted each other or actively supported their child, which didn’t feel right to him. What excited him most about remaking the film was the opportunity to maintain certain themes and aspects from the original but alter the ending to better align with his perspective on the storyline.
2024 holds a special place in my heart as I’ve got three highly anticipated films coming out, starting with “Speak No Evil.” This is the first of these high-profile productions scheduled for release by year’s end. Recently, I had the privilege of attending the premiere of Marielle Heller’s “Nightbitch” at TIFF, and as a longtime fan of Amy Adams, I was utterly captivated by her fearless portrayal of a new mother who suspects she’s transforming into a canine. In December, I’ll be gracing the screens in Searchlight Pictures’ “A Complete Unknown,” directed by James Mangold. I’m excited for everyone to witness the outstanding performance by Timothée Chalamet that I had the pleasure of observing during filming, as he plays a role in our upcoming Bob Dylan biopic where I portray Woody Guthrie.
As a gamer, I can’t wait for the Bob Dylan biopic! It’s not every day we get to witness such a momentous event. The entire world seems to be buzzing with anticipation, and I’m no exception. I truly believe Timothée Chalamet will knock it out of the park with his portrayal of this legendary figure. His performance as an iconic character has been nothing short of extraordinary in my eyes.
While chatting with THR, I couldn’t help but share my thoughts on a few recent films that left a lasting impression. Andrew Dominik’s masterpieces, “Killing Them Softly” and “Blonde”, truly resonated with me. Additionally, John Krasinski’s “A Quiet Place Part II” was another cinematic experience I won’t forget anytime soon.
Scoot McNairy, congrats on another great movie.
Hi there! Great to catch up with you once more. I just wanted to express my gratitude for the insightful article you wrote around four years back. Thanks a bunch!
I’m shocked that you remember, but you’re welcome.
Well, it was a very nice piece. I’m grateful.
From what I understand in that article, I’m quite fond of the TV series “Halt and Catch Fire,” and the sight of Cameron Howe (Mackenzie Davis) and Gordon Clark (McNairy) as a married couple in the first trailer for “Speak No Evil” left me utterly astonished. Can you share more about how this on-screen reunion happened?
Indeed, I had the good fortune of collaborating with Mackenzie for four years on that television series. When it came to this movie, discovering who would portray my wife was truly serendipitous. Often, there’s the challenge of developing chemistry or artificially creating it, but in our case, a natural bond existed already. It’s always rewarding to collaborate with someone you’ve worked with previously, and we were fortunate that everything fell into place perfectly.
Was it an unusual adjustment for your couple, since they found themselves engaging in activities such as playing video games and quarreling like siblings, even going so far as to shoot rubber bands at each other? In the beginning, did this new role as husband and wife feel a bit awkward?
Playing a role for extended periods can sometimes cause the characteristics of that character to influence your personal relationships, but Mackenzie is an exceptionally professional actor, and we clicked instantly. Our chemistry was already established, making it unnecessary to further develop it. This turned out to be a tremendous advantage because it allowed us to work together seamlessly, considering we knew each other well. It’s a fortunate coincidence that our collaboration has left many Halt and Catch Fire fans doubly surprised.
I told Mackenzie that the unease might have benefited your characters because they’re currently estranged from one another.
Indeed, we both enjoyed our unique experience playing characters in a marriage grappling with real-life complications, quite unlike Gordon and Cam’s dynamics. This change allowed us to break free from our comfort zone and explore this new dimension, despite the difficulty of stepping away from established relationships. Mackenzie’s exceptional acting skills certainly made the challenge worthwhile and resulted in a successful portrayal.
Did you arrange for a conference call with Kerry Bishé and Lee Pace to break the news to them personally, and did you gently prepare them for this change?
(Laughs.) I’m sure a few texts were sent.
After the trailer was released, did any fellow cast or crew members from Halt contact you in surprise?
Not necessarily. Some of my close friends already knew that I was going to do this movie.
To button up the Halt subject, I spoke to your Halt producer Melissa Bernstein not too long ago, and she thinks that Lee and Kerry should do an eye for an eye-type thing in their own movie.
I would love to see that movie.
It appears that Ben and Louise are having a disagreement due to something Louise did. They’re financially comfortable, but Ben is feeling unsettled because he’s currently unemployed. His job has always been an integral part of his identity. Their daughter seems to be struggling as well. Does Paddy (McAvoy) catch Ben’s attention at the hotel pool since he seems to embody traits that are opposite to Ben’s?
Sure!
I appreciate that your movie took a unique direction instead of following the original Danish film’s grim finale. Given how bleak and harsh that ending was, I wonder if you would have agreed to be part of it if the movie had mirrored that brutal conclusion. Would you have been willing to endure such an experience?
What drew me so much to the original was its unique tones and themes, and we chose to retain those in the remake. Both films are exceptional on their own, but one aspect of the original that left me dissatisfied was the lack of conflict between the parents or their active involvement in helping their child. This was something that didn’t resonate with me personally. Therefore, the opportunity to reimagine a film, preserving its initial themes but altering an ending that I found problematic, was what truly captivated me about this project. The script penned by James Watkins and his portrayal of the third act offered me the sense of, “I’m going to produce this movie, and I’m going to rework, not correct, an ending that didn’t sit right with me from the start.
Absolutely, the Danish adaptation of your character Ben, named Bjørn, is quite powerless, yet despite being overpowered, he manages to show some resistance. It seems you were happy that he didn’t crumble without a struggle.
As a devoted admirer, I must commend James Watkins for his exceptional ability to maintain the characters’ authenticity within the narrative. He skillfully resists the temptation of providing a conventional Hollywood ending or a moment of redemption. Instead, he keeps the story firmly rooted in reality, even as it veers off in unexpected directions. This grounded approach is what I truly appreciated about this film.
It seems like there’s some truth to it, but would I endorse primal scream therapy? Did you notice any change in your feelings afterward on that particular day?
(Chuckles.) You know, letting out a primal yell at the most breathtaking spots, regardless if you’re a gamer or somewhere else entirely, feels incredibly therapeutic!
Has watching this film influenced your thoughts about possibly hosting or being a guest in the future?
It seems that the experience of creating this movie might not have affected my initial feelings, but I’ve discovered during this journey that I tend to trust people quite easily. Unless someone gives me a reason to doubt them, I’m generally quite trusting toward most individuals.
2024 looks promising for you, with several notable projects scheduled to release towards the end of the year. Could I inquire about your experience working with James Mangold on A Complete Unknown?
Thrilled beyond words! I’ve had a long-cherished dream of collaborating with James Mangold, so being part of a project like “A Complete Unknown” was truly electrifying. A Bob Dylan biopic is a once-in-a-lifetime chance, and I share the same excitement as everyone else about watching this movie. I believe the entire world is eagerly waiting for its release and to witness Timothée Chalamet’s portrayal of such an iconic character. I must say, he delivered a truly exceptional performance.
Additionally, you’re involved with the film “Nightbitch” directed by Marielle Heller and featuring Amy Adams. I noticed a picture of you and Amy at a kitchen table not too long ago. [Writer’s Note: This conversation happened about six weeks before the recent TIFF premiere.] Was that an enjoyable encounter for you as well?
The experience was fantastic! I’ve long admired Mari Heller as another talented filmmaker whom I’ve wanted to collaborate with, and Amy Adams is simply remarkable – she’s got a talent akin to James McAvoy. I’ve been an admirer of Adams for quite some time now, and her portrayal of diverse characters in outstanding films has been truly inspiring. Being a part of this project was a privilege and a joy for me. Contrary to popular expectations, the movie is not what people might think, and I can’t wait for everyone to discover its true essence.
As a devoted admirer, I almost donned dishwashing gloves today in homage to Killing Them Softly, and it’s been an age since you and Ben “Mendo” Mendelsohn have had your on-screen spat. Could we possibly rectify this situation?
Reflecting on Andrew Dominik’s “Killing Them Softly,” I must confess, it was an absolute blast concocting mischief with Ben! With our past collaboration and witnessing his journey through thick and thin, I eagerly await a future opportunity to collaborate with him again in the perfect role.
I recall attending a press screening for the sequel of “A Quiet Place” a few years back, and when your heavily bearded character made an appearance in the distance, my immediate response was to exclaim, “That’s Scoot McNairy,” before we got a closer look. Usually, I don’t talk during movies, but it was just a reflex from watching so much of your work. Could you describe that reunion between you and John Krasinski in “Promised Land” as a favor or something else?
I’m truly enthusiastic about John Krasinski and his projects, particularly the franchise he’s been involved with. It wasn’t so much an obligation as it was excitement to be a part of it. To work alongside John once more and contribute to such a fantastic series was my ambition. When he reached out and invited me to join, I was ecstatic! I felt incredibly fortunate for the chance.
Lastly, how surreal was it to recreate that famous The Seven Year Itch scene in Blonde?
Wow, the entire encounter felt incredibly dreamlike. We found ourselves in the very spot where “[The Seven Year Itch]” was filmed, and I had the privilege of witnessing Ana de Armas portray Marilyn Monroe so authentically. As a dedicated admirer of Andrew Dominik’s narrative and cinematic skills, it was simply mesmerizing to observe all the photographers present, making the entire event feel like a surreal experience. I felt incredibly fortunate to be involved in the production of a film that carries such historical significance and controversy.
***
Speak No Evil opens in movie theaters on Sept. 13.
Read More
- BODEN PREDICTION. BODEN cryptocurrency
- GHST PREDICTION. GHST cryptocurrency
- BETA PREDICTION. BETA cryptocurrency
- STRD PREDICTION. STRD cryptocurrency
- Mango Markets Exploiter Found Guilty Of Fraud And Manipulation
- GBP EUR PREDICTION
- MATIC PREDICTION. MATIC cryptocurrency
- LOOKS PREDICTION. LOOKS cryptocurrency
- BRN/USD
- TNSR PREDICTION. TNSR cryptocurrency
2024-09-13 00:27