Great directors work with actors they can trust.
Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog is one of the best movies of the year. It’s full of nuance, clever character choices, and Campion’s auteur touch. Not only is it a new way to look at Westerns, but it subverts traditional masculinity in incredibly interesting ways.
Recently, Campion sat down with Indiewire to talk about masking the film and the trust she puts into great actors to deliver.
Imagine casting a Western and knowing that your top choice was an Englishman who most recently starred in a Marvel movie. Campion knew that Cumberbatch had a great pedigree. So when it came time, she knew he was the right pick.
“Just jumping in there and going, ‘I think this guy can do it. He’s English, he’s got no apparent qualities that would work for the story, except he’s charismatic. How’s that going to work?’” Campion said.
Yet as a director, you have to go with your gut and trust your instincts, even when there is pushback. You’re betting on yourself as much as the actor.
Author: Jason Hellerman
This article comes from No Film School and can be read on the original site.
