Wes Anderson’s latest film, Asteroid City, is sure to thrill the director’s loyal fanbase. Known for his distinctive vintage aesthetic, quirky characters, and clever humor, Anderson is a beloved figure in the world of cinema.
Anderson’s latest film, a comedy-drama, is set to hit Singapore theaters on Thursday. The movie boasts an all-star cast of 21 actors, including Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Adrien Brody, Tilda Swinton, and Edward Norton. Margot Robbie and Rita Wilson also make cameo appearances. The plot takes place in a 1950s-inspired futuristic setting and follows a father who takes his children on a journey to a stargazing event in a town known for its meteor crater after losing his wife.
The arrival of an alien visitor resulted in the implementation of a town-wide lockdown. Brody, Hanks, and Johansson recently participated in an online media briefing to discuss their experiences working with Anderson, who is 54 years old. Anderson has been recognized for his exceptional work with seven Oscar nominations, including Best Director and Best Picture for his film The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), and frequently partners with the same actors. According to Johansson, who is 38 years old, “The thing that sets him apart is the feeling of camaraderie.”
The famous American actress, renowned for her appearances in Marvel superhero movies such as Black Widow (2021) and her Academy Award-nominated roles in Jojo Rabbit (2019) and Marriage Story (2019), talks about the amazing performances in the film that she was a part of. She expresses her admiration for how each actor’s performance stands out while also adding to the overall beautiful ensemble. Johansson portrays Midge, an actress who befriends Augie, the grieving father played by Schwartzman. Instead of feeling bored during breaks, Anderson’s sets maintain momentum, eliminating any doubts about one’s life choices.
The actors involved in the movie have described it as vibrant and lively. Tom Hanks, who plays the role of Stanley, Augie’s father-in-law, agrees that it has a classic Hollywood vibe with cowboys, showgirls, and Roman gladiators coexisting together. The seasoned actor, who has won Oscars for his performances in Forrest Gump and Philadelphia, explains that the set was highly focused and everyone was dressed in their costumes, all set to give their best performance. Adrien Brody, who portrays the director of the play about Asteroid City, has been a part of four other Anderson films like The Grand Budapest Hotel and The French Dispatch.
During the filming of a movie in both the United States and Spain, the cast and crew made quite an impression on their daily commute. All members stayed at the same hotel and some even rode to the set with the director, Wes, while still in character. This led to sightings of aliens, cowboys, and children hanging off the back of a golf cart as they traveled through town to the impressive movie set. One of the cast members, a 50-year-old actor who previously won an Oscar for his role in The Pianist, described the experience as thrilling and unforgettable. As it turns out, the movie set was just as stunning in real life as it appears on screen.
At the beginning of filming Wes Anderson’s latest movie, some actors were hesitant to share their ideas with the detail-oriented director. Tom Hanks, who had never worked with Anderson before, sought advice from veteran cast members and was assured that Anderson would be open to suggestions. To everyone’s surprise, Anderson even accepted one of Hanks’ suggestions for the first scene they worked on, which made the actor very happy. Despite the friendly atmosphere on set, Anderson’s perfectionism is evident in the multiple takes he requires to achieve his vision. Unlike other directors who are satisfied with a few takes, Anderson may demand up to 60 takes to get it just right. The film, Asteroid City, is set to hit theaters this Thursday.
