Actors on Actors | Cillian Murphy ("Oppenheimer," "Peaky Blinders") & Margot Robbie ("Barbie")
Key Takeaways
- Creative Flexibility is Key: Balancing creative vision with brand expectations (as seen with Mattel and "Barbie") can lead to innovative and successful projects.
- Diverse Approaches to Filmmaking: Different directing styles (Gerwig's improvisational vs. Nolan's meticulous) can both achieve powerful storytelling, showing there's no single formula for success.
- Thorough Preparation Enhances Performance: Both actors emphasize that extensive preparation, whether through research or finding unique character insights, allows for more authentic and spontaneous performances on set.
Podcast Notes
Success of the Barbie Movie
- Margot Robbie's Confidence:
- Margot was largely confident that "Barbie" would succeed but recognized a small chance of failure.
- Her belief in Greta Gerwig’s vision and her pursuit of Gerwig to direct and write were crucial decisions.
- The film’s unconventional approach, including Greta and Noah Baumbach's writing process, created a unique final product that surprised even Mattel.
- Creative Decisions and Freedom:
- Mattel initially expressed concerns over the film's unconventional content, but Margot worked to align their expectations with the creative vision, explaining how subtext and humor would play out on-screen.
Collaborative Dynamics in Filmmaking
- Cillian Murphy’s Perspective on Filmmaking:
- He appreciates Nolan’s meticulous, disciplined approach, which involves deep collaboration and preparation with his crew. Working on "Oppenheimer," his first lead role for Nolan, felt significantly different due to the script's unique first-person narrative and the film’s heavy reliance on practical effects.
- He values a calm, focused set environment and the trust that develops over long-term collaboration, highlighting his evolving relationship with Nolan over two decades.
- Creative Atmosphere and Set Environment:
- Margot’s Experience: Describes the "Barbie" set as an energetic, joyful environment, where both cast and crew actively participated even when not filming. Greta Gerwig’s set emphasized improvisation, collaboration, and a dynamic, positive energy that permeated throughout.
- Contrast in Styles: Cillian noted the contrasting styles of Gerwig's improvisational, rhythm-focused direction and Nolan's precise, structured filmmaking. He finds both methods effective in their contexts, appreciating the adaptability required by different projects.
Unique Creative Processes and Approaches
- Margot Robbie’s Challenges:
- Margot found traditional acting techniques insufficient for her role in "Barbie." She drew inspiration from unconventional sources, like a podcast about a woman without an internal monologue, to shape her character's naivety and simplicity.
- Employed unique preparation methods like "Movie Church" to help the cast find the right tone and rhythm for their scenes, using classic films for reference.
- Cillian Murphy’s Preparation for Roles:
- Cillian engages in deep research, uses dialect coaches, and studies archival footage to embody his characters fully. For "Oppenheimer," he used subtle physical cues, like Oppenheimer's distinct posture, to capture his essence.
- He emphasizes thorough preparation as essential to feel free and spontaneous on set, believing it allows for more authentic performances.
Public Recognition and Cultural Impact
- "Barbenheimer" Phenomenon:
- Both Margot and Cillian reflected on the unexpected cultural event created by the simultaneous release of "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer." Cillian emphasized that this was not orchestrated by studios but rather an organic result of audience enthusiasm.
- Experiences with Fame:
- Margot and Cillian shared humorous anecdotes about public recognition, with Margot now frequently greeted with "Hi, Barbie!" and Cillian often recognized for his role as Tommy Shelby in "Peaky Blinders."
Thoughts on Future Projects and Industry Trends
- Potential for Sequels and Future Collaborations:
- Margot expressed openness to a "Barbie" sequel but stressed that it would need to live up to the original's success. Cillian also showed openness to a "Peaky Blinders" movie if the right story came along.
- Philosophy on Creativity and Collaboration:
- Both actors deeply value creativity, originality, and collaboration. They appreciate the opportunity to explore new narratives and learn from diverse creative minds, underscoring the importance of authenticity and dedication in their work.
courtesy: @variety
