As an ardent fan of cinematic masterpieces, I must say that I feel incredibly fortunate to have witnessed the journey of Antony Starr, a man who has effortlessly transformed from a young boy captivated by the Star Wars universe to a seasoned actor gracing our screens with his mesmerizing performances.
[This story contains light spoilers for The Order.]
Jude Law is having a December to remember. The two-time Oscar nominee is currently the star of two critically acclaimed works on the big and small screens, and he is again proving that he’s among a select few actors who can bring a sense of authenticity to roles as disparate as a battle-weary FBI agent in The Order and a Force-using pirate on Star Wars: Skeleton Crew.
Previously, Terry Husk, a complex character created by Law, is transferred by the FBI from a tumultuous career against organizations like the Sicilian Mob and the KKK to a quiet office in Idaho. The film, penned by Zach Baylin and directed by Justin Kurzel, repositions Terry for his most significant case yet as he confronts Bob Mathews (portrayed by Nicholas Hoult), a real-life leader of a notorious white supremacist group called the Order, set in the 1980s.
Mathews’ actions represented an aggressive and violent offshoot of Richard Butler’s Aryan Nation, with strong ties to William Luther Pierce’s influential racist text, “The Turner Diaries“. This narrative of domestic terrorism is unfortunately a recurring one, as this literature was also linked to the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing and the January 6th attack on the United States Capitol. Many people, including Law, initially believed that these extremist groups were a thing of the past, but over the last decade, their modern and disguised iterations have made international headlines.
[Terry Husk] had dreamed of blending into this Idaho community for fishing and hunting, but he faced his toughest battle instead,” Law explains to The Hollywood Reporter, promoting the release of The Order on December 6. “This was also something that resonated with me personally. In the past, I believed we had won the global fight against such issues. But now, it’s clear that a new battle lies ahead.
At the very opposite spectrum, Law stars as a pirate with Force sensitivity in the series “Skeleton Crew,” created by Jon Watts and Christopher Ford, streaming weekly on Disney+. His character goes by multiple names such as Captain Silvo, Jod Na Nawood, and Crimson Jack. Following a rebellion by his previous crew, he’s incarcerated on Port Borgo until he manages to escape with the help of four misplaced children. For Law, being involved in a “Star Wars” project provided an opportunity to complete his acting journey.
My connection with that galaxy started at a significant point in my existence, around when I was six years old. At the time, I hadn’t watched many films beforehand,” Law reflects. “Therefore, Star Wars served as a crucial stepping stone to acting, and it felt fulfilling to be invited to join it and portray a character. The character I played, Jod Na Nawood/Silvo/Crimson Jack, was quite appealing because he is filled with contrasts, and I hope people appreciate the mix of light and shade he presents.
In a recent chat with THR, Law talks about some pivotal moments from The Order, such as a poignant scene featuring hands caked in blood and mud. He also reminisces about the beginning of his American career, which was kick-started by Andrew Niccol’s iconic sci-fi film, Gattaca.
***
Does the story of “The Order” make you think that what they say about history repeating itself might be true? Was that your initial impression upon reading it?
My first takeaway was that this was an extraordinary [true] story that hadn’t been told, and it has unfortunate resonance today on a global level. But the potential was clear based on what Zach Baylin achieved in the script. He made it a character study that’s also folded into this cat-and-mouse thriller, this edge-of-the-seat genre film or what I like to now call an elevated genre film. So all of those facets really made it irresistible.
Given that it’s based in the United States, would you say that the impact of The Order resonate similarly in the U.K. as well?
Justin Kurzel, a filmmaker with a knack for portraying complex characters, immerses them in their worlds – be it their social circles, families, or communities. This way, he offers insights into the motivations behind people’s actions, their ambitions, or the forces driving them. In essence, his work carries a universal message that, at its core, resonates with everyone for a specific time.
My preferred genre is crime dramas/thrillers, although they’re not as common these days. Could the timeliness of the story be a factor, or was it difficult to produce The Order due to the challenge involved?
Making an indie film proved to be as tough as one would anticipate, given the present state of independent filmmaking. It wasn’t the most difficult, but it certainly presented challenges that others didn’t face. (Laughs) Our journey was a familiar one – begging for more funds and time, but we were a flexible and efficient team. And once we began, we encountered no significant hurdles. We burst out like a cannon, and despite the writers’ strike and the looming actors’ strike, we skillfully avoided them by around four to five days. So, it was quite a tightrope walk.
It’s intriguing to revisit the topic of genre films and their impact on audiences. They seem to evoke a unique response, leaving viewers both pondering deeper messages and exhilarated. These films carry a sense of timelessness, much like the blockbusters from my childhood, be it Sydney Lumet or William Friedkin productions. It’s heartening to learn that the audience appreciates this aspect of the movie, making for an engaging and thought-provoking discussion.
Have the selections you make on the screen continued to give you a sense of satisfaction? I wonder if you’ve also discovered that the creative decisions made off-screen can be fulfilling in their unique ways as well?
This movie serves as an outstanding demonstration of how creative endeavors can be immensely fulfilling. It originated from a collaboration with Zach Baylin, a gifted young screenwriter whom we’ve had discussions about various projects. We’ve recently completed a limited TV series called “Black Rabbit” together. I was fortunate to have significant influence on the development and execution of this film, and we were also fortunate to have Justin Kurzel join our team. This felt like we, Riff Raff Entertainment, were establishing another fruitful partnership with an exceptional director who fit the project perfectly. So, I’ve greatly enjoyed, and continue to enjoy, my role as a producer in these projects. It provides me with a greater sense of involvement and control. While it might seem that I seek perfection, what I truly appreciate is the collaborative and enriching experience of producing. If you select the right team members, then you allow them to excel at their tasks.
Was creating Terry Husk as a combined character primarily intended to contrast different aspects of the real-life figure, Bob Mathews?
That’s really well put. Zach was clear from the get-go that Terry needed to reflect certain lifestyle choices and indeed contrast with Mathews. Therefore, it just seemed unfair to put those changes or decisions on a real-life special agent. And the more Justin and I worked on the character, the more that decision was valid due to the loss of Husk’s family and the cost that he’s paid for a successful career and the ultimate physical effect that it’s had on him. I wanted to come up with a guy who just seemed broken by his life and his positive actions. He had hoped to go to seed and disappear into this [Idaho-based] community where he could fish and hunt, but he actually had the greatest fight ahead of him. So that was something that felt personal to me, too. 10 to 15 years ago, I felt like, globally, the fight was behind us. And now, I certainly feel like there’s a fight ahead of us.
The scar on his chest and the random nosebleeds, did you ever diagnose him?
Indeed, Justin originated that concept. We aimed to create a genuine physical response to spending nearly three decades in the profession and dealing with its stressors. The era was distinct, marked by higher smoking, drinking, and possibly unhealthy eating habits. Justin shared that a family member of his had a stent implanted due to heart issues and was prescribed a blood-thinning drug at the time. This relative, during moments of intense emotions like watching sports, would suddenly bleed from the nose. We found these details intriguing additions to Terry’s health issues, fostering an impression of his vulnerability and raising questions about his survival throughout the week, let alone the case. The audience is left rooting for him but uncertain if he’ll make it.
When the sheriff invites Terry for dinner, it seems like he’s making a plan to join only after his family arrives, but based on my understanding, this appears to be an arrangement that is unlikely to materialize.
(Laughs)
Was he truly informed about his family’s circumstances, even though he consistently claimed otherwise over the phone?
You’ve asked an incredibly thorough question, and it’s great that you noticed its depth. I wouldn’t categorize him as delusional. In fact, when someone suggested that his family doesn’t exist, I had to correct them, saying, “No, no, no.” So, he’s not delusional. Upon reaching Idaho, he’s holding onto the hope and waiting for his family to forgive him for whatever mistakes he’s made. He’s hoping they will want to reconnect, repair, and heal. There’s a part of him that genuinely believes they will follow him there. As he becomes engrossed in this new case, the distance between them grows larger. However, it’s clear that he has no intention whatsoever of sharing a barbecue with the sheriff, as he seems to be using this as an unattainable goal.
[Note: This next question/answer alludes to spoilers while withholding a key victim’s name.]
As a gamer, I couldn’t help but notice the recurring theme of handwashing in the film, which seemed to mirror Terry’s troubled conscience. There was this intense scene where he was forced to cope without soap or water – did you truly commit to portraying that gritty reality on set?
Today was quite engaging for me, and it’s truly telling of Justin’s style as a director. He’s not one to keep a distance – he’s right there with us, even behind the camera. He’s always close by, ensuring he doesn’t miss a beat of what we’re filming or the action happening. The script is like a roadmap for him, but it’s a flexible one that he’s not afraid to veer off course from, especially when it comes to physical scenes.
And that moment is not only a moment of loss, but it’s also a huge moment of guilt and dread for Terry Husk. I impulsively wanted to get away from [spoiler’s] dead body when it was apparent that he wasn’t breathing anymore and I had his blood all over my hands. And if I remember rightly, Justin whispered, “Clean them, clean them. Try and remove the blood.” But there was nothing around, so I just picked up the dirt. And what was so effective was that it made the blood thicker. This kind of tar was suddenly on my hands. So the idea that Terry couldn’t wash his hands and that the blood would remain was such a terrific lightning-in-a-bottle moment that Justin guided me towards.
A different theme arising from his innocent inquisitiveness was the untaken shot. It wasn’t heavily planned out. There were interactions between Bob and Terry, but there were also many scenes with the elk. Deciding whether to include a gunshot sound at the end of the movie turned into quite a debate among us. Justin strongly insisted that no gunshot should be heard, so we ended on Terry’s breath instead. What I’ve come to understand now is that he intentionally left it open-ended by doing this. The hunt remains ongoing, and it stands as an unresolved question.
In a more conversational style:
Initially, I struggled to remove a particular sequence, right up until the very end. However, it was ultimately removed. We did shoot an alternate version, where Terry was being trailed by Bob. Originally, I had written a line stating that an FBI agent with his level of experience wouldn’t let himself be followed without noticing. But we realized that he would know he’s being followed and allow it to happen. However, our concern was that this might suggest too clearly that the person following him is Mathews or a member of his gang, rather than just a local hunter. By focusing on that specific moment, though, we create a greater air of ambiguity regarding how much Terry suspects about this individual and whether they are the one he’s tracking.
Here’s an intriguing detail: Justin ensured that Nick and I didn’t intermingle. Our paths seldom crossed until we filmed that particular scene, which was about a month into the production. In fact, our stories were being told almost separately in terms of scheduling, call times, and location requirements. As a result, we mostly avoided each other until that scene. I’m not certain how many of the first takes Justin ultimately kept; we did several, but that encounter was our initial meeting on set.
Although I didn’t directly address your question regarding how I navigated the game scenario, let me clarify by saying it’s intriguing to imagine oneself as someone highly attentive, like an agent. Terry asks, “Are you following me?” and Bob openly admits to it in a playful manner. This suggests that Terry might have suspected that there was some connection between his actions and the observer, but I don’t believe he thought this person was the specific individual in question.
Did I understand correctly that prior to their dialogue, there was another moment where Terry had an elk sighted through his rifle, yet he spotted Bob standing behind him with a gun as well? So, are you implying there was a different interaction between them before this situation unfolded?
In the movie, Terry first pulls his car up by the lake and retrieves a gun from the trunk. After washing his hands, he spots an elk. At this point, you become aware that Bob is hiding nearby. Earlier, there was a scene showing Bob pursuing Terry, but it was edited out, giving the impression that Terry was all alone in the wilderness. This is when you understand that Bob had been following him.
It’s quite a busy month for you since The Order and another major project of yours, set in a distant galaxy, are both launched within the same week. What specific aspect of your Skeleton Crew character did you find intriguing or resonating?
My connection with that galaxy started during a significant phase in my life when I was around six years old. At that point, I hadn’t seen many movies yet, perhaps only watched films like the 101 Dalmatians. However, Star Wars had a profound impact on my childhood imagination, fueling my creativity as I ran around the yard or schoolyard, embodying those characters. This experience served as an important stepping stone towards my career in acting, and it was rewarding to be asked to join the cast and play a part. The character I portrayed, Jod Na Nawood/Silvo/Crimson Jack, was particularly fulfilling because he’s full of contrasts, and I hope people appreciate the different facets of his personality.
Refusing to mention “Gattaca” during our conversations as an adult would be a regret that my teenage self might hold against me. Even after almost three decades, the intricate details of its scenes, such as climbing stairs or dealing with “genetic materials,” still resonate strongly in my memory today.
For me, that movie was a game-changer in my journey as an actor. It marked my debut in the glamorous world of Hollywood, a stark contrast from my humble beginnings in South East London. I never thought making films would be part of my acting career, but here I was, stepping onto this grand stage. Working on set was nothing short of extraordinary for someone like me.
***
The Order is now playing in movie theaters.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-12-06 23:27