As a dedicated fan of cinematic history, I must say that Brad Pitt’s experience during the filming of “Interview with the Vampire” is nothing short of intriguing. It seems that playing a depressed vampire took its toll on him, much like how his character Louis was tormented in the movie.
According to reports, Neil Jordan, the director of “Interview with the Vampire,” released in 1994, shared some insights about the movie’s production and its talented cast with Variety as it turned 30. The film, produced by Warner Bros., was an adaptation of Anne Rice’s debut horror novel from 1976. Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Antonio Banderas, and Kirsten Dunst were among the stars who brought the vampire roles to life in this critically acclaimed production.
The movie primarily focuses on Pitt’s character Louis and his resentful bond with the vampire who afflicted him, portrayed by Cruise as Lestat. After transforming young Claudia (played by Dunst) into a vampire, Lestat compels Louis to assist in raising her. Although it might seem like an enjoyable experience for them to don elegant 19th-century vampire attire, Jordan revealed to Variety that, much like his character Louis, Pitt felt miserable throughout filming.
Despite the film earning two Oscar nominations and Kristen Dunst’s remarkable performance garnering a Golden Globe nod, Brad Pitt received little acclaim for his role in the movie. Critics often described his acting as uninspired. Now, director Jordan has shed light on why Pitt’s character and the actor himself appeared so somber during that period. Previously, Pitt himself has spoken about his unhappiness during filming, and when asked if he was aware of Pitt’s discontent while shooting, Jordan clarified that it was intended to be portrayed that way. Jordan elaborated:
Brad excelled in his part, yet the difficulty he faced might have stemmed from the nature of the role itself. Being a passive character is challenging, especially when it’s the main character who can be the most passive element in a story. Our filming was done exclusively at night for several months without any daylight, which may have impacted Brad, yet it mirrored the character’s own prolonged suffering. In this role, Brad experienced a struggle similar to Louis, a character who endures punishment over 300 years by a creature.
Playing a Depressed Vampire Made Brad Pitt…Depressed.
Jordan was questioned if he tried to make things lighter on set for Pitt, yet the director chose not to interfere with the ongoing situation for his own reasons.
I don’t believe I played a significant role beyond acting alongside him. Brad stayed on set longer than Tom Cruise, which meant he went through the entire production and might have felt the strain of his passive character and the lengthy process. However, I found Brad’s performance quite impressive. Any criticisms of his acting could be attributed to the challenging nature of the character itself and the novel it was based on. Louis endures suffering as a vampire from the moment he’s turned until the book’s end, so it’s likely that playing this role was a tough experience for Brad. Yet, it mirrored the hardships faced by the character too.
It appeared that Brad Pitt’s role in “Interview with the Vampire” couldn’t be avoided because of the character’s melancholic and solitary nature as a vampire. Although his portrayal didn’t initially win over critics, it plays a significant part in why the film remains popular even after 30 years.
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2024-11-13 01:33