Nicole Kidman and Kristen Stewart discuss their works and how fiercely brave Stewart is to begin the direction
by Jaskiran Kaur | Sun, 30 Jan 2022 11:05:04 GMT
Image Source: Nicki Swift, A1PNG

Nicole Kidman and Kristen Stewart are two ladies who are driving the Hollywood industry by the helm. Both have done marvelous roles in their respective films, Being the Ricardos and Spencer, lately. The two actresses recently sat down with Variety for an Actors on Actors interview, presented by Amazon Studios. They talked about everything, beginning from action, iconography, Hollywood standards, and more. 

Nicole Kidman plays the TV character Lucy Ricardos, Lucille Ball in the film Being the Ricardos, and also the character in the TV set of "I Love Lucy." The actress shared that the role invokes thought. On the other hand, Kristen Stewart got the opportunity to star as Princess Diana in Spencer and got to live the British Royal life for some time. The character brings out Stewart's inner resilience, which fans have always been appreciative of, apart from showing a newfound tenderness as the Princess of People, which managed to surprise the audiences. 

Nicole and Kristen Stewart might have begun a marvelous work relationship in the Hollywood industry some ten years ago when Kidman was supposed to work in Panic Room. However, she told Kristen Stewart, "I remember David Fincher saying, “Oh, my God, we have discovered the most incredible actress.” And then I got injured and ended up not playing your mama."

Recalling her own experience with the film, Stewart shared, "I have a vivid memory of it because the way you treat kids is so telling. I felt like I was buds with you. It was two or three weeks, but I was always like, “She’s one of my friends.” You gave me walkie-talkies for Christmas."

Kidman took the moment to herself appreciate Kristen's talent and let her know that the director who found her did an amazing job. The Secret In Their Eyes actress said, "You’re amazing; Fincher was right, as he always is." She then continued on and asked Kristen what called to her when she was presented with the movie 'Spencer.'

"This was not something that I over thought because as soon as you start picking this one apart, it’s easy to find reasons to not do it," admitted the actress. "The way that Pablo Larraín had presented the idea to me was that we were going to attempt to know a version of her through a really selfish path, a really desire-based path, and shove it into three days and liberate the idea of this woman but not really try and get it right."

"I was like, “This guy has the right voice, and he’s talking to me with the right words," continued the actress. "And he says this is a great idea and that he believes in me.” If you’re going to be an actor still, you should do something like this — or just stop doing it." Then it was Kristen's turn to ask Kidman how she came across Lucille Ball and chose to play the part." 

I knew Lucy, and the “I Love Lucy” show, but when I read the script, I had no idea of her story and her journey, and I related to parts of it," said Kidman. "I was really game to give it a go. And then the flood of fear, I suppose, came in, and I went, “Oh no, what have I done?” Which I do a lot in my life, and then I push on through."

Revealing one key secret about the portrayal of Lucy and the key behind mastering the voice of the iconic character, Kidman shared that she had to take up smoking. "That was a huge key to it," conceded the star. "I started smoking, which I know you’re not meant to say, and then gave it up the minute I stopped."

Still, the actress put in a lot of work behind getting the voice to sound just right. "I was nervous to the extent of trying to get her sound. There’s a rhythm to Lucy. I had to lean into the sounds, and slowly, it would wash into my mouth, my body, my brain, my psyche. Suddenly she was there — she just appeared," she divulged. "Then it was effortless, but the work it took to become effortless was climbing the mountain."

Carrying on, the actresses talked about their new projects, things they are excited to do, and how they are changing the face of Hollywood one day at a time. 

"I’ve adapted a memoir by a novelist named Lidia Yuknavitch, and we just cast the lead role, which is monumentally relieving," said Stewart about her piece of work. "I’ve been alone with this, in this vacuum, and it’s so nice to give something to someone, a friend and a partner, and say, “Help me.” She’s the one who’s going to have to do it, and it’s really hard, so I’m over the moon." Nicole Kidman called Stewart 'fierce' for taking up direction.

While Kristen Stewart has already begun directing, Nicole Kidman said that she feels the most at home when she is being directed by the filmmaker and that is what she does best. While Kidman possesses the capability to shake the world with her gentle ways, Kristen Stewart is fierce and will rock Hollywood once she gets the directing thing right!

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