Posts Tagged ‘Ridley Scott’

Up Close With Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe

October 11th, 2008

Leonardo DiCaprio is the center of attention at the NRDC-sponsored Body Of Lies premiere, which takes place at Frederick P. Rose Theater in NYC.

The heartthrob leans down to chat with me about what he’d do if he weren’t in showbiz (environmental scientist!), and entertains my question about whether he’ll settle down or remain an eternal bachelor. “We’ll see,” he winks. Nice! I like him.

The thriller, which is in theaters now, places Leo in the role of a CIA operative. While Blood Diamond raised the profile of diamonds worldwide, what does he hope this flick will do?

“I think it’s important to look at what the war in Iraq and the war on terror is doing to our relationships worldwide,” Leo says. “In terms of what we’ve accomplished, we give a realistic, stark view of what the United States’ relationships are worldwide.”

Russell Crowe first worked with Leo in 1995’s Quick And The Dead. How has he changed now that they are back in action on this film?

“There’s a wonderful process of maturation that’s happened with Leo,” Russell tells me. “He knew what he liked. It’s cool to see that he’s growing up and he’s had an incredible career, but who he is as a person hasn’t been altered. I’ve seen his intellect mature over time in the way that he can explain his feelings and elucidate how he sees the world. A lot has changed in that regard, but then nothing has changed at the same time.”

Did Leo try to convert him to his environmental ways? “He doesn’t have to convert me at all,” Russell says.

What was life like while filming in Morocco? “There’s lines on the road, but they’re purely optional,” he says. Whoa!  

Director Ridley Scott calls Russell “one of the best dads I’ve witnessed,” and shares his thoughts on his Assassination of Jesse James star Brad Pitt as a father of six. “Good luck to him,” he tells me.

Hey! It’s Aubrey O’Day, who greets me with a hug and a kiss. I see her nearly every night! “It’s been a minute,” she tells me. Aubrey admits she’s seen Leo around but she’s never met him, and that she “definitely” had a crush on him when she was younger.  “He’s undeniably gorgeous,” she gushes.

Oh look, it’s American Idol season one runner-up Justin Guarini standing a few spots away from me on the red carpet.  He’s reporting for The TV Guide Channel. “That’s one of the many hats that I wear,” he tells me. “I’ve really been fortunate over the past six years to consistently work in entertainment.”

Body of Lies is in theaters now.

Pick up the OK! on newsstands now for more on Leonardo DiCaprio. Jamie Lynn Spears/“Casey Breaks His Silence … ‘I’m No Cheater’” is the cover line.

Leo Chooses Content Over Cash

October 6th, 2008

Although political films don’t always tend to go over well at the box office, Leonardo DiCaprio says that played no part in his decision to take on his newest role.

 

"It’s really never anything that I thought about," he said Sunday night at the premiere of Body of Lies in NYC, which benefited the Natural Resources Defense Council. "When you have the opportunity to do a film that’s pertinent to the world and have something to say about that, combined with Ridley Scott, you just do it. Worry about what comes later."

 

In Body of Lies, Leo plays a CIA operative involved in investigating a potential terrorist operative in the Middle East, sent to Jordan by a manipulative boss, played by Russell Crowe. Like Blood Diamond, the film is sure to get people talking, especially during election season, something that Leonardo says he doesn’t purposely aim for.

 

"I’ve never sought out those types of movies specifically," he says. "Certainly Blood Diamond had a great political undertone and was very topical and pertinent to issues that people are discussing worldwide. It happened to be incorporated from that scenario. That happens with both of the films. I never sort of thought that out."

 

And while Leo is definitely an advocate of many high-profile causes – the Body of Lies premiere benefited the National Resources Defense Council, an organization the actor says has implemented important environmental policies – he says his goal is not to push his views on anyone.

 

"The thing we most tried to do in the creation of the film is not bring any of our politics into play," he says. "You give an audience a realistic, stark view, negative and positive, of the United States and foreign relations worldwide. The film at its core deals with CIA and espionage. It has a duality to it."

However politics come into play, Leo says the film is open to interpretation, and fans can decide for themselves how they feel about it.

 

"It’s villifying both ends of the spectrum. I don’t think we’re making the United States or the Middle East heroic," he says. "It’s war. It’s warfare. At the end of the day, it’s their decision."

OK! Interview: Cuba Gooding Jr.

October 19th, 2007

Cuba Gooding Jr. spoke to OK! at the panel discussion for the Boys and Girls Club, of which he is an alumnus. Currently starring in the Ridley Scott crime drama American Gangster, Cuba spoke candidly about The Boys and Girls Club as well as his new film.

 

Where would you be without the Boys and Girls Club?
I don’t have to think about that. But I don’t know with my situation I would have been exposed to those bad elements. I didn’t have anywhere else to go and my mom is a very religious person and she raised us Christian and she never tolerated drugs so I don’t think I would have went that way. But I might not have found the opportunities as an actor and found that outlet. I might have been locked up. You just don’t know.

What advice do you have for other young kids struggling and facing the adversity you did?
You can’t do it on your own. You need help, especially kids in the inner cities who don’t have the opportunity to participate. It’s okay to say you don’t want to be alone. It’s okay to ask questions about your body. You need to be around people who respect you. Don’t let people disrespect you. My mom says don’t open the door to the devil. Surround yourself with positive people.

You have American Gangster coming out. What was it like working with Ridley Scott?
He’s the king. He knew every aspect of every scene. He knew the statements he wanted you to make. He had his hands on everything. It’s great when you work with great directors like that. I’ve worked with a few- Cameron Crowe,… As an actor you have to bring to the table your creative input. But when a director like Ridley Scott says I want you to do this this way, you know when he gets to the editing room he has a reason for it. It’s like watching a masterpiece.

By Jocelyn Vena
 

30 Days of Josh Hartnett

October 16th, 2007

OK! caught up with director David Slade and writer Steve Niles of the new vampire movie 30 Days of Night at a fan meet and greet at Planet Hollywood in Times Square. The horror duo had a lot to say about the flick’s leading man, Josh Hartnett. “He really rose to the occasion. His character is not a traditional movie hero. He makes some bad choices in terms of his character, which I think makes him more realistic. I think it’s one of his and his agent believes it is one of his best performances. I’m really proud of that,” David said.”

“He comes from that area. He comes from Minnesota. I didn’t expect him to take the role to be honest’” he added, “I’m lucky enough to be represented by the Ridley Scott Associate Company. Ridley had cast him in Black Hawk Down and I talked with Ridley and he highly recommended him. And I went and talked to Josh and we got along really well. Much to my surprise, he took the role. “

Steve, who wrote the graphic novel as well as the screenplay, told OK! about his motives for writing and later adapting 30 Days of Night for the big screen. “Hopefully what we’re doing is the horror that people want to see. It’s more long lasting. Yeah, it’s a little smarter. More traditional- it’s got a story and characters and a lot of scary things.”

And how does it stack up to his novel? “I’m getting really close to liking the movie better than the comic. I was reluctant to say it cause he’s here. I’ve seen it twice and it’s close. So, I couldn’t be happier,” added Steve.

 

By Jocelyn Vena

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