We spoke to acclaimed filmmakerMarc Forster(Finding Neverland, Quantum of Solace, Monster’s Ball) amid the release ofWhite Bird, his new World War II-set drama film that serves as both a sequel and prequel to the hit2017 filmWonderstarring Jacob Tremblay. The follow-up stars Oscar-winner Helen Mirren as a Holocaust survivor telling her grandson Julian (Bryce Gheisar, returning afterWonder) about escaping the Nazis at a young age. Mirren has a reputation for being a joy to work with, and Forster was able to confirm the reports — including her real-life sense of humor that paid off in spades for her grandmotherly role inWhite Bird. Forster told MovieWeb:
“She brings that into her work. She’s extraordinary. The beauty about her is [that] she has such a long career, and I think once you’ve had such a long career and had so many accolades, and you are so good at your job, there’s a lot of wisdom that comes along with that, and […] you’re not taking it too seriously. There’s a certain humor to it. You carry the responsibility of the role you’re playing, but at the same time, there’s a little twinkle in your eyes, and she truly has that.”
Forster continued, regarding Mirren’s standout performance inWhite Bird, “She helped [co-star] Bryce a lot, because suddenly Bryce was with an Academy Award-winning actress who has had such a storied career. Soshe gave him the confidence to just feel relaxed and feel at ease in front of the camera. And she brings this along for the whole crew. It’s really remarkable.”
White Bird Director Marc Forster & Producer Renée Wolfe on Helen Mirren & Wonder
Acclaimed filmmaker Marc Forster discusses the new film from the author of Wonder with its producer.
Tom Hanks Is the Only Person Marc Forster Has Seen Do This
Forster has also worked with another Oscar winner who has a similar reputation: Tom Hanks. “From everyone, you always hear he’s the nicest, most wonderful man in Hollywood,” said Forster. “When I didA Man Called Otto… he still, you know, blows you away on a daily basis. And it’s extraordinary that there’s this incredible, wonderful actor [who’s] had this span of career, and he comes in the morning at 8:00, and he stays on set with the crew until you wrap.He never goes back to the trailer. And I’ve never seen that with anyone. And it’s just like, he surprises you, with his respect and kindness and intelligence and humbleness every day.”
Forster also detailed why he went about making the Hanks film, an English-language adaptation of the hit Swedish comedy-drama:
“We just loved the book and the original [filmA Man Called Ove], and said that this movie is almost like Shakespeare — you can make that movie in every country because everywhere, it translates wherever, because everyone knows an Otto and Ove because those kinds of characteristics fit. You know that everyone in their family has someone like that.”
Looking ahead, Forster — who has directed films in a wide variety of genres — told ushe’d still love to tackle a science-fiction movie and a musical. In the meantime, from Lionsgate,White Birdis now playing in theaters.
White Bird
From the best-selling author of Wonder, the book that sparked a movement to “choose kind,” comes the inspirational next chapter. In White Bird, we follow Julian, who has struggled to belong ever since he was expelled from his former school. To transform his life, Julian’s grandmother (Helen Mirren) finally reveals to Julian her own story of courage —during her youth in Nazi-occupied France, a boy shelters her from mortal danger. Gillian Anderson co-stars in Marc Forster’s film White Bird.
