As a fan who has witnessed the incredible transformation of Shailene Woodley from a young actress to a powerful storyteller, I can’t help but feel grateful for the pivotal role that Laura Dern played in her life and career. The friendship between these two women, which began on the set of Big Little Lies, is truly inspiring.
The exceptionally talented cast gracing “Big Little Lies,” HBO’s popular show adapted from Liane Moriarty’s namesake book, is widely regarded as one of TV’s finest and surpassed the boundaries set by the original novel. Each actress is equally impressive, making it challenging to envision a different cast for the series. Remarkably, Shailene Woodley, portraying the young mother in both seasons, initially declined the role, only to be persuaded by one of her co-stars to take on the part.
In 2024, Woodley has embarked on a promotional tour for the new Starz series titled “Three Women“, which is a TV adaptation from Lisa Taddeo’s book by the same name. During this tour, she visited Vanity Fair to take part in their well-liked “Scene Selection” segment where she rewatched and shared some memorable tales from her most acclaimed projects.
In the “Big Little Lies” episode, the 32-year-old expressed her desire for self-discovery and almost declined the popular HBO series despite wanting to collaborate with its director. Woodley confided:
In a remarkable moment that I’ll always remember, it was either November or October of 2015. At the time, I wasn’t feeling well, and my energy levels were depleted not by acting or the creative aspects of storytelling, but by the industry itself – Hollywood. However, I received a call about Big Little Lies, as Jean-Marc Vallée, our talented director who has since passed away, had expressed interest in me playing Jane. I was eager to collaborate with him, admiring his artistic brilliance and filmmaking skills. Yet, I was deeply focused on finding myself at that point.
At just 23, it’s not hard to see why she felt the need to embark on a soul-searching journey. With an impressive resume boasting roles in shows like The Secret Life of the American Teenager, The Fault in Our Stars, and The Descendants, among others, Shailene Woodley was more than ready to take a break from the spotlight. After all, it was her time to reflect and recharge.
After the alumnus of “Divergent” shared, it was clear that without Laura Dern, they would have been in India, and another person might have played Jane Chapman. They disclosed this information stating:
One day before departing for India, or possibly while already in India without my phone turned off, I received a call from Laura Dern. She told me, ‘I understand where you’re at in your life; I’ve been there too. It can be overwhelming. This world may be an illusion, but genuine is what you love to do. In your case, Shai, it seems your purpose, for now, is storytelling. I believe it would be a significant error for you to abandon this opportunity that you should embrace instead.’ That conversation prompted me to return to the United States from India, and it has shaped my life ever since.
It’s clear that without Laura Dern’s involvement in the coastal drama, the overall feel of the series might have been significantly different. Her presence played a crucial role in shaping the dynamics among the cast, which was instrumental to both seasons. Furthermore, the ensemble only became more powerful with Meryl Streep joining the group as well.
It’s wonderful to notice that the bonds between these women were already strong from the beginning. The actress who shone in “The Spectacular Now” commended Dern for her openness and courage during a crucial scene, particularly highlighting her honesty and bravery.
Indeed, there are numerous instances where I owe Laura a debt of gratitude, yet one instance stands out as exceptionally courageous – the moment when she mustered up the bravery to voice her concern, saying, ‘I believe you’re on the wrong path, and I’m going to find the strength to explain why, because I truly understand you. And I perceive something that you currently cannot see in your own journey.’
I must admit, the tantalizing glimpses into the inner workings of BLL have me yearning for Season 3 one day. The protracted delay has everyone in a buzz, wondering why it’s taking so long. The unfortunate demise of Jean-Marc Vallée might be a factor, as his passing was a significant blow to all, and many continue to honor his memory.
I’m really happy that Woodley ended up following Dern’s advice, as the movie wouldn’t have been as great if the actress from “Three Women” had declined the offer. You can stream “Big Little Lies” with a Max membership and catch “Three Women” every Friday with a Starz subscription.
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2024-11-12 16:07