Key Takeaways:
– Timothée Chalamet, known for heading two high-grossing films, was emotional after his role in ‘Interstellar’
– He felt his part was larger during shooting, leading to disappointment and tears after the movie’s screening
– Despite this, Chalamet remains positive towards his acting career and praises Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Dark Knight’ for inspiring him
Hollywood heavyweight Timothée Chalamet’s rise to stardom has been meteoric. The established actor now boasts a formidable resume, headlining two of the highest-grossing films in recent months, surpassing John Travolta’s decades-old record. Renowned for his pivotal role in the ‘Dune’ franchise, Chalamet earlier marked his presence by featuring in another major sci-fi venture, helmed by Christopher Nolan.
Chalamet’s Emotional Outpour: ‘Interstellar’
During the filming of ‘Interstellar,’ Chalamet was yet to make his big break in the film industry. His significant turn in the 2017 film ‘Call Me by Your Name’ positioned him firmly in the cinematic landscape. However, during the creation of the sci-fi drama, Chalamet felt his role as “Tom” was considerable.
The actor confessed on Variety’s ‘Actors on Actors’ that he wept after watching the final cut of his biggest grossing film, raking in $733M at the box office. His disappointment arose from the realisation that his on-screen presence was less prominent than he initially thought.
The Soul-Stirring Conversation with Emma Stone
Sharing his feelings with actress Emma Stone on the show, Chalamet confessed his distressing reaction post-film screening, “I just felt I was a fraud in this room. While I loved the film, I wept for an hour after watching it with my dad. I guessed my role was bigger. They didn’t even cut anything. I don’t know what I assumed”.
This centered around his dramatic scene with Matthew McConaughey, where Chalamet delivered a compelling monologue. However, the part mainly spotlighted Cooper’s emotional arc, barely displaying Chalamet’s acting prowess.
Chalamet’s Immeasurable Respect for Christopher Nolan
Despite his role being pared down, Chalamet holds no resentment towards Christopher Nolan, for whom he has an immense amount of respect. He acknowledged his subsequent success with independent projects.
Chalamet attributes his entrance into acting to Nolan’s ‘The Dark Knight.’ He was profoundly influenced by Heath Ledger’s stellar performance as the Joker. The experience, he admits, was pivotal, sparking his aspiration to pursue acting, “When I was 12, I left the theatre, a changed man, after watching Nolan’s ‘The Dark Knight’. Ledger’s performance inspired me, and I had the acting bug.”
Open to Opportunities in Superhero Cinema
Though superhero comic roles don’t seem in line for him — a decision reinforced by advice from actor Leonardo DiCaprio — Chalamet confides he’s open to films having the quality of ‘The Dark Knight’.
With ‘Interstellar’ streaming on Paramount Plus, and ‘The Dark Knight’ on stream Max, Chalamet’s journey elucidates an actor’s struggle and success. His ability to channel his disappointments into compelling performances secures his position as one of the most acclaimed actors of this generation.
