Key takeaways:
– Mary Elizabeth Winstead revealed she wore flip-flops to her audition for Quentin Tarantino’s “Death Proof” as a nod to his rumored cinematic foot fetish.
– Though her foot appearance wasn’t significant in the film, the actress believed her well-prepared pedicure might have helped.
– Tarantino, who had not entirely developed the character Winstead auditioned for, said he was open to letting any actress’s personality mould the role.
The Audition Tale: Winstead’s Flip-Flop Strategy
Before she became widely known as Ramona Flowers in the graphic novel adaptations, or as John McClane’s daughter, Mary Elizabeth Winstead played a notable role as Lee Montgomery in Quentin Tarantino’s “Death Proof.” The film, which the director himself confessed was the worst of his portfolio, was released alongside Robert Rodriguez’s “Planet Terror” as a tribute to B-grade Grindhouse films.
Interestingly, Winstead added a layer of ingenuity during her audition for Tarantino. In an interview with Hollywood, Winstead admitted she wore flip-flops to tap into the director’s rumored cinematic foot fetish. She even prepared herself with a pedicure, showing her dedication to nabbing the role. Her foot didn’t have a significant role in the film, but it seems the added effort had an impact.
Effort and Dedication: Journey to the Role
When Winstead’s agent secured an audition for her role in “Death Proof,” the actress passionately gave herself to the process. She had to dodge unforeseen hiccups such as a last-minute location change from New York to L.A. Despite the distance, she committed herself to personally meeting Tarantino, fearing the implications if another actress auditioned before her.
Winstead took a risk with her flip-flop strategy, based on Tarantino’s alleged foot fetish, a rumor that rooted from his previous films featuring actresses’ feet. Beyond the flip-flops and pedicure larks, Tarantino was already familiar with her work, including her brief appearance on “Tru Calling.”
Creativity Meets Spontaneity: The Creation of Lee Montgomery
The role of Lee Montgomery was not fully developed when Quentin Tarantino started auditioning for the part. The director, known for his versatile creativity, wanted the actress landing the role to interpret it uniquely. He kept wide margins for his casting approach, seeking to discover a neat, fascinating, and idiosyncratic actress for Lee’s role.
Winstead, despite not being the quirky personality Tarantino had initially envisioned, gave a persuasive interpretation that earned her the role. Her characterization was so effective, it prompted Tarantino to integrate the same into his drafts for the film.
Despite the initial box office failure of the Grindhouse double feature, including “Death Proof” and “Planet Terror,” the former earned positive reviews upon its independent release in multiple countries and home media. Today, fans worldwide can stream “Death Proof” online via the Paramount+ platform.
Winstead’s novel approach to her audition shows how going the extra mile or thinking outside of the box can pay off when aging for roles in Hollywood. As actors and actresses strive to make their mark and distinguish themselves, such stories are inspiring and refreshing, shedding light on the often unseen aspects behind cinematic successes.
In conclusion, Winstead’s well-rehearsed foot play could just as well have been one of the unique tricks actors pull off behind the scenes. Ultimately, it proves that there is no defined path to success. In many cases, timing, creativity, and a touch of personal flair could be the deciding factor that lands an individual the role of a lifetime.
