I bumped into it in a museum on a visit to the Galapagos.
The events took place there, and it just would not leave my mind.
This is, like, 15 years ago.
Image via TIFF
And eventually, we got a tremendous cast to make it happen.
HOWARD: I staged more oners.
There’d be a shock.
Image courtesy of Photagonist at TIFF 2024
Not necessarily a horror shock, but a twist in the story that you would not have seen coming.
Sydney Sweeney and Ana de Armas lead an all-star cast that takes a while to find its footing.
Daniel, I believe Ron first brought this up to you 10 years ago.
Image courtesy of Photagonist at TIFF 2024
DANIEL BRUHL: I was attracted on many levels.
They say, It’s so great with you.
We’re gonna do something else again.
Image courtesy of Photagonist at TIFF 2024
I say, Yeah, okay.
But then he really called me 10 years later.
HOWARD: There’s a little gap.
Image courtesy of Photagonist at TIFF 2024
I thought, What?
And then I remember that I checked out the documentary on YouTube.
And so, it happened.
Image courtesy of Photagonist at TIFF 2024
He worked with Nicolas Roeg, and Nicolas Roeg was very interested in this story.
He never got to the point of having a screenplay.
Look, it’s classic.
Image courtesy of Photagonist at TIFF 2024
[Laughs]
The reaction to your performance last night is one of my favorite in-theater communal experiences!
Edenfeels like a movie that does not work without a pitch-perfect cast.
Ron, I think you found it here.
Image courtesy of Photagonist at TIFF 2024
We are going to be able to make the most of this materialtogether?
SYDNEY SWEENEY: I agree with the rehearsal process.
But I think especially when we filmed the lunch scene when all of us were together.
This is so incredible working with such amazing group of talent.
I really just felt it come to life in that scene.
Its an electric scene in the movie.
How about for you, Daniel?
BRUHL: We needed each other like the characters needed each other.
We got along better than the characters in the movie, thank god.
[Laughs]
Im glad to hear that!
BRUHL: Nobody felt at home; we were in a shooting in a remote place.
So, yes, on the very last day I realized this was a good gang.
SWEENEY: On the last day?
[Laughs]
DE ARMAS: Well, actually, you’re kind of right.
The last day was the last scene.
It was a really intense scene to say goodbye to the shoot.
HOWARD: Every day was intense.
We were working on a tight schedule.
Sometimes it’s horrifying.
Sometimes it’s a little heartbreaking.
I hope it creates suspense.
Plus, we had no cover sets.
We were shooting outside.
We had no studio.
You go all in in every single respect.
DE ARMAS: Well, being the embodiment of perfection was very risky.
[Laughs]
HOWARD: That’s her character’s mantra to keep herself going.
DE ARMAS: Just the whole thing for me was terrifying.
Yes, Im gonna do this, and hanging up very excited.
And 20 minutes later, I call him back having doubts, feeling scared.
And I was like, Think about it again.
Maybe you want someone else.
[Laughs] But then, for me, that’s what it’s all about.
That’s what I find interesting and fulfilling and exciting.
If it’s not that, I don’t want it.
It’s what makes me enjoy every day at work.
Thats what makes it not feel like work.
That’s what her character has done.
DE ARMAS: Definitely, that was one of the biggest challenges.
Eloise creating The Baroness had to be so eccentric and crazy.
She’s very fragile and childish sometimes.
And then it’s terrifying.
This woman is scary sometimes.
It was about finding the two extremes and that balance of being believable in her lie.
How about for the two of you?
SWEENEY: I mean, Daniel was building the set.
[Laughs]
DE ARMAS: I was very impressed by that.
SWEENEY: All the work that you saw us do, we were actually doing.
HOWARD: We had snake wranglers.
Daniel just called them scissors no snakes were harmed, but a lot were caught.
Every day I was like, Oh my gosh, I cannot believe I’m here.
Am I supposed to be here?
Did they make a mistake?
Am I the wrong person?
So for me, I was nervous.
I faced a lot of fears just even being there because everyone is such an amazing actor.
I was like, What am I doing?
You crushed those scenes.
I’m very impressed.
SWEENEY: Thank you!
Before I let you go, I have to ask about some upcoming projects.
So I think withEuphoria, especially just making sure that everybody can give their 100%.
I’m really excited.
I can’t wait.
I don’t really have anything to say, but I’m really excited.
Always thinking with the producer mentality.
I want more of that from you, as well!
You get the person who directed the first film in that franchise in there with you.
By working with him, is there any new layer of that movie that you were able to unlock?
DE ARMAS: Oh my gosh, IloveChad.
And I have to say, every time they say you have reshoots, it’s not good.
You don’t feel good about it.
Its an important part of the process.
DE ARMAS:ButI really have to say he was so right about it.
All we did in those reshoots had to be there.
We got amazing footage.
It’s really spectacular.
A trailer is coming out soon, Ive been told.
I saw it, and it’s beautiful.
I’m very proud of it.
It’s really exciting.
It’s dangerous, it’s sexy, it’s veryJohn Wick.
I think people are going to be surprised.
Of course, I like the movie, but I think it’s really cool.
It’s going to be amazing.
That makes me very hyped.
Also, one of my greatest missions in this line of work is to demystify reshoots and additional photography.
HOWARD: Werent you beginning to do fight training and physical stuff even while you were on our picture?
DE ARMAS: Mhm.
It was really full-on right away.
It was a hard switch, but it was great.
And also Roxstar Entertainment, our event producing partner and Photagonist Canada for the photo and video services.
