Fans of Wes Anderson are eagerly anticipating his latest movie, Asteroid City, which promises to be another delightful addition to his unique filmography. Known for his distinctive vintage aesthetic, quirky characters, and sharp sense of humor, Anderson has built a dedicated following of admirers who eagerly anticipate each new release.
Anderson’s latest film, a comedy-drama set to release in Singapore on Thursday, boasts of his signature style – an ensemble cast where 21 star-studded names are crammed into the movie poster. The lead cast comprises Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Adrien Brody, Tilda Swinton, and Edward Norton, with cameo appearances from Margot Robbie and Hanks’ wife Rita Wilson. The plot is centered around a futuristic version of the 1950s, where a grieving father takes his children to a stargazing event in Asteroid City, a small desert town famed for its massive meteor crater.
The arrival of an alien visitor caused the whole town to go into lockdown. Recently, Brody, Hanks, and Johansson participated in a virtual press conference where they discussed their experiences working with Anderson, who is 54 years old. Anderson has been nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Picture for his work on The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), and often works with the same actors. According to Johansson, who is 38 years old, the special bond formed between Anderson and his actors is what sets his projects apart.
The acclaimed American actress, famous for her roles in Marvel superhero movies like Black Widow (2021) and her Oscar-nominated performances in Marriage Story (2019) and Jojo Rabbit (2019), praises the exceptional acting in the film. She appreciates how each actor’s portrayal is distinct, yet harmoniously contributes to the overall masterpiece. In the movie, Johansson portrays Midge, an actress who befriends a bereaved father named Augie (Schwartzman). Unlike other filming sets where actors may experience boredom during breaks, Anderson’s sets maintain a lively atmosphere, eliminating any self-doubt about one’s career choices.
According to the actors involved in the movie, it is filled with vitality and liveliness. Tom Hanks, who plays the character of Stanley, Augie’s father-in-law, agrees that the film has the charm of those classic Hollywood movies set on a studio lot where cowboys, showgirls, and Roman gladiators all coexist. The accomplished actor, who received Oscars for his roles in Philadelphia and Forrest Gump, depicts the set as focused and concentrated, with everyone dressed up in their costumes and ready to act. Adrien Brody, who portrays the director of the play about Asteroid City, has previously appeared in four other Anderson movies, such as The Grand Budapest Hotel and The French Dispatch.
During the filming of a movie in both the US and Spain, the cast and crew had quite a memorable daily routine. They all resided at the same hotel and some would jump aboard a golf cart driven by the director, Wes, while still dressed in their respective character costumes. As a result, while traversing the town, it was not uncommon to witness an alien, a cowboy, or some kids hanging off the back of the cart. The filming experience proved to be unforgettable and exhilarating for one of the cast members, a 50-year-old American who won an Oscar for his role in The Pianist. As depicted in the final cut of the movie, the set was equally breathtaking.
Initially, some actors on the set of Wes Anderson’s latest film were uncertain about sharing their ideas with the director because of his reputation for being extremely detail-oriented. Tom Hanks, who was a newcomer to Anderson’s “gravy train,” asked veteran cast members for advice and was assured that Anderson would listen to their suggestions. To Hanks’ satisfaction, Anderson even accepted one of his ideas for the first scene they worked on. Despite the friendly atmosphere on set, Anderson’s perfectionism is evident in the number of takes he requests to achieve his vision. Unlike other directors who may be okay with take 3, Anderson prefers up to 60 takes to get it just right. Titled Asteroid City, the film will be released in theaters on Thursday.