Clearly that was wrong.
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Its all completely unexpected, Jones tells us of the films reception.
Its quite reassuring that, in some ways, its all paying off.
Felicity JonesJoe Maher/Getty Images
The film debuted in Venice where Corbet won best director.
Jones was last on the awards trail in 2015 with James Marshs Stephen Hawking biopicThe Theory of Everything.
How are you feeling about it and the films general reception?
The film doesnt resort to any cliche or sentimentality.
The opportunity to put something like this in the world is pretty rare.
Theres no template, so people dont know they want something like this.
And then when its there, people realize how cool it is.
DEADLINE:The film does take some big swings.
Why did you trust that Brady could pull it off?
Hes only made two films as a director.
JONES:Firstly, it was the script.
It was like reading a Russian novel.
It was so intelligent.
Thats what hooked me initially and then with Brady, it was seeing his previous work.
Id known him a little when we were in our 20s.
Hes always worked with incredible auteurs throughout his life as an actor.
Looking back, he was utilizing that as his film school.
I mean, what a good idea.
Why not learn from from the best?
Something that was incredibly distinctive.
But alongside that, so much of it is trust.
You dont really know.
Its a leap of faith, which doesnt always pay off.
In this respect, it did.
But there is something about Brady.
Maybe because he acted as a child you’ve got the option to feel his confidence.
DEADLINE:You say you were looking for distinctive work.
Do you think that has been missing from your career so far?
I felt like I wanted to push the boundaries in some way I hadnt before.
DEADLINE:Your performance is very physical.
Your character is suffering from a physical disability.
JONES:Yes, because shed suffered from malnutrition, theres an element of dissociation from her physical self.
Shes been to the ends of the earth in some ways, emotionally and we would presume, physically.
So when she meets Van Buren, theres something quite intimidating about that for him.
Did you as a performer feel how tight things were?
JONES:We were quite insulated from the pragmatic struggles of getting it made.
In some ways, its a much harder experience when theres no trust.
Bradys main thing was to come to set knowing what youre doing.
Id never seen such a collection of prepared actors.
Did you know he had used AI to enhance performances?
And what did you think about the wider discussion?
JONES:Its obviously an element of post-production, and thats very much the directors prerogative.
As an actor, you just have to do everything in your power to prepare and work tirelessly.
Guy [Pearce] has talked about this as well.
What is the cadence?
How do I make that person feel as believable as possible?
Thats whats in your control as an actor.
DEADLINE:Is AI something youre worried about as an actor?
JONES: There are so many facets.
DEADLINE:Its been a particularly rough year for Oscar campaigning.
Weve had the Emilia Perez revelations over the weekend.
What have you thought about it all?
These stories are just exquisite.
I was watchingSing Singthe other night and thought it was fantastic.
You want people to see these films because these are special cultural items being put into the world.
Thats why people dont mind going out and talking about theirs films because it feels like its something important.
And it puts more bums on seats, the more you talk about it.
So if I believe in what Ive made, Im happy to do it.
DEADLINE:Youve got a production company, Piecrust Pictures.
What are you interested in doing behind the camera?
DEADLINE:Your company is producing a Formula One series.
Whats the story behind that?
Are you an F1 fan?
So I have these formative memories of racing.
It felt like a natural project to explore.
Its been pretty amazing getting inside the world of Formula One.
DEADLINE:What stage is that at currently?
JONES:Yes, we are developing the script as we speak.
DEADLINE:What have you got up next?
JONES:I have another film coming out at the end of the year calledOh.
Fun., which is a Christmas ensemble comedy with Michelle Pfeiffer and a wonderful group of actors.
We shot that last summer.
Its very different fromThe Brutalist, but still distinctive and hopefully original in some way.
