Jodie Foster Has Heard the ‘Longlegs’ Discourse — at the Gym

Jodie Foster Has Heard the ‘Longlegs’ Discourse — at the Gym

As a gamer who’s seen my fair share of movies and TV shows, I can confidently say that Jodie Foster‘s performance in True Detective: Night Country was nothing short of remarkable. The woman is a force to be reckoned with, and her dedication to her craft is inspiring.


Approximately half a year following her extensive promotion for “True Detective: Night Country,” Jodie Foster continues to express her admiration for the series. With 19 Emmy nominations, including recognition for her acting and producing roles, she plans to advocate for Issa López’s adaptation of the HBO franchise until their scheduled reunion in September. “I could discuss it endlessly,” Foster says, adding that this is one of only a few instances where she has felt so passionately about something. She describes this experience as unique and exceptional.

Over the phone call in late July, Foster talks about the tough aspects of filming True Detective, her aspirations for more representation in Hollywood, and how the Longlegs/Silence of the Lambs comparisons eventually affected her while she was brainstorming ideas.

Have the events of your intense underwater scene in the tank on True Detective sparked an interest in performing more stunts, or have they made you hesitant to engage in such activities?

Whatever the role demands, I’ve found myself doing quite frequently in films. It may appear simple, but it often involves carrying a child up stairs, hiding under beds, or other such tasks. Given my extensive experience in the industry and witnessing my fellow actors endure so much, I’ve learned to execute stunts with great discipline. There are also certain stunts that I flat-out refuse to do, for safety reasons.

Come to think of it, you have carried a lot of children up stairs.

I have! And it’s not easy. They’re dead weight, especially on ladders.

Is Liz Danvers hard to warm up to at first? Do you think it’s crucial to show empathy towards a character when portraying them in a performance?

Empathy is quite intriguing, isn’t it? Essentially, it means identifying with someone else’s feelings. Acting, whether I’m playing a villain or exploring the complexities of a character, is all about this ability to empathize. As an actor and director, my approach remains consistent – I strive to comprehend the characters I work with. I don’t necessarily need to like them, but I do need to grasp their human nature – even for the tiniest roles. If a character feels real to me, hopefully they will feel real to the audience too.

As a big fan of Issa López’s work, I’ve had the privilege of developing a close relationship with her during our collaboration on the show. Any insights you might have about her plans for the upcoming season?

She shares some information about it with me, but I’m bound by secrecy. It’s an ongoing process. They are incredibly fortunate to have Issa on their team. She’s simply my most preferred director I’ve ever worked alongside. She’s the one who challenges the script, even though she wrote it herself. She’s always open to making adjustments, and yet she’s organized and always has a strategy – she has amazing intuition. I’m confident that our collaboration will be successful, and this is a testament to Issa and our team because we all still value the HBO team. That rarely occurs. (Chuckles).

Jodie Foster Has Heard the ‘Longlegs’ Discourse — at the Gym

Do you tend to sit with a character during a shoot, or is it easy for you to shake it off?

As a fan, each character resonates uniquely with me. I found Danvers particularly fascinating because she seems to find herself hilarious, albeit her humor is rather questionable. She uses this wit as a coping mechanism, allowing her to momentarily escape the turmoil of her thoughts and emotions. During my time in Iceland, I immersed myself deeply in fantasy football. My obsession with my team became almost an addiction, providing me with a much-needed distraction from reality.

Who are you eying for fantasy this year?

As a lifelong Green Bay Packers fan, I must admit that it’s bittersweet for me to step away from fantasy football this year. But opportunity knocks, and I can’t resist the call. I’m embarking on a journey to France, where I’ll be working on an exciting new movie project. Now, I can’t reveal too much about it, but let me tell you, this film is going to be a rollercoaster ride of emotions, filled with psychological drama, unexpected twists and turns, and a dash of humor. It’s a challenging role, as I’ll be acting in French for the first time, and I can feel my jaw already starting to ache at the thought! But I’m ready for the adventure, and I can’t wait to share more about this project once it’s official. In the meantime, I’ll still keep a close eye on Green Bay, hoping that they’ll make me proud even in my absence.

What would you like to see more of in Hollywood right now?

As a passionate enthusiast, I’ve navigated diverse stages in the creative realm and observed countless trends emerge and fade away. Today, we bask in the opulence of extended series, allowing us to delve deeply into captivating worlds. The most thrilling developments continue to unfold on streaming platforms, as that’s where the storytelling thrives. While creating a film involves intricate technology, pyrotechnics, and substantial budgets, these aspects weren’t what initially drew me towards acting or artistry. It was the narrative – those tales that left an indelible mark on my life. Consequently, I eagerly anticipate more of such narratives unfolding.

Tell me the last thing you watched, television or film, that really excited you?

Man, I’m absolutely hooked on “Baby Reindeer”. Everyone in my gaming circle seems to be raving about it lately! It’s hands down one of the most exhilarating TV shows I’ve encountered in ages. It’s daringly innovative, tackling concepts that haven’t been explored before. To put it simply, this series left a lasting impression on me this year. Apart from “True Detective”, it was my top pick for sure!

Have you seen Longlegs? There have been a lot of comparisons to Silence of the Lambs.

Today at the gym, a fellow mentioned, “Have you met ‘Tall Stride’?” I responded, “No, who is that?” Trying to focus on my workout, he kept bringing up the topic. (Laughs.) Seems like it’s quite popular.

As a longtime reader and follower of entertainment news, I have always looked forward to picking up the latest issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Its in-depth articles and exclusive interviews with industry heavyweights have provided me with a unique perspective on the world of show business. In fact, I remember the thrill of reading this very publication’s standalone August issue last year, which featured an intriguing story that caught my attention from start to finish. If you’re interested in staying up-to-date on all things Hollywood, I highly recommend subscribing to The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe and never miss another behind-the-scenes scoop!

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2024-08-09 16:56