The upcoming movie, Asteroid City, by Wes Anderson is expected to greatly delight his fans. Anderson is renowned for his vintage style, peculiar personalities, and sarcastic wit.
Scheduled to hit Singapore cinemas on Thursday, the comedy-drama film showcases yet another signature element of Anderson’s style – a sprawling and star-studded ensemble cast, consisting of 21 names, all squeezed into the movie poster. The cast is led by Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Adrien Brody, Tilda Swinton, and Edward Norton, with Margot Robbie and Hanks’ wife Rita Wilson making cameo appearances. The story is set in a charmingly futuristic version of the 1950s, and it follows a father who recently lost his spouse as he takes his children on a journey to a stargazing event in Asteroid City – a small desert town renowned for its massive meteor crater.
When an extraterrestrial guest shows up, the entire town ends up in a state of lockdown. During a digital press conference, Brody, Hanks, and Johansson shared why so many actors would do anything to work with Anderson, who is 54 years old. The filmmaker has been nominated for seven Oscars, such as Best Director and Best Picture for The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), and frequently collaborates with the same actors. As per Johansson, who is 38 years old, “What distinguishes it is that sense of fellowship.”
The American actress, known for her roles in Marvel superhero films like Black Widow (2021) and her Oscar-nominated performances in Marriage Story (2019) and Jojo Rabbit (2019), speaks highly of the supportive performances in the movie. She admires how each actor’s performance stands out while also contributing to a beautiful orchestral whole. In the film, Johansson plays Midge, an actress who becomes friends with the grieving father, Augie (Schwartzman). Unlike other sets where actors may find themselves bored during downtime, Anderson’s sets keep momentum going, preventing any questioning of one’s life choices.
The film in question is full of life and energy, according to the actors involved. Tom Hanks, who portrays Stanley, Augie’s father-in-law, concurs that it feels like one of those classic Hollywood movies set on a studio lot where cowboys, showgirls, and Roman gladiators all coexist. The veteran actor, who won Oscars for his performances in Philadelphia and Forrest Gump, describes the set as highly focused and concentrated, with everyone dressed up in their costumes and ready to perform. Adrien Brody, who plays the director of the play about Asteroid City, has previously starred in four other Anderson films, including The Grand Budapest Hotel and The French Dispatch.
The cast and crew of a film shot in the US and Spain made quite an impression as they traveled to the set each day. They all stayed at the same hotel, and some would ride along with the film-maker, Wes, on a golf cart while still dressed in character. This meant that on any given day, you might see an alien, a cowboy, or some children hanging off the back of the cart as they made their way through town to the impressive movie set. One of the cast members, a 50-year-old American who won an Oscar for his role in The Pianist, described the experience as exciting and unforgettable. The set was just as breathtaking as it appears in the finished movie.
Some actors on the set of Wes Anderson’s latest film were initially unsure if the acclaimed director would be open to their ideas due to his reputation for being detail-oriented. Tom Hanks, a newcomer to Anderson’s “gravy train,” sought advice from veteran cast members and was reassured that Anderson would indeed listen to suggestions. In fact, Anderson even took one of Hanks’ suggestions for the first scene they worked on, much to the actor’s delight. However, despite the friendly atmosphere on set, Anderson’s perfectionism is evident in the number of takes he requires to achieve his vision. While some directors are content with take 3, Anderson may demand up to 60 takes to get it just right. The film, Asteroid City, will be released in theaters this Thursday.