Hes wearing one of those commemorativeDo The Right Thingtees from Spike Lees 40 Acres and a Mule brand/production house.
When Washington catches a glance he begins to wax lyrical about multiple scenes and small details in the film.
Its Stevie [Wonder] he did the whole score.
John David Washington.Roger Kisby/Getty Images for Netflix.
What was that song again?
Its clear he knows his stuff.
The film follows siblings Boy Willie and Berniece who clash over whether to sell a family heirloom.
The play is one of Wilsons Century Cycle 10 entries that interrogate Black American life in the 20th century.
The challenge, he adds, was not only artistic but personal.
If I could handle this story it would be one of the hardest characters Ive ever played.
If couldnt do it, maybe I wasnt good enough.
Perhaps I was at a certain level where I could only do certain characters.
So there was a lot of pressure, he continues.
Also starring are Samuel L. Jackson, Ray Fisher, Danielle Deadwyler, Michael Potts and Corey Hawkins.
DEADLINE: John David, how are you feeling?
The films finally out.
JOHN DAVID WASHINGTON:I feel good for a couple of reasons.
So it excites me knowing this film will be available to everybody with a Netflix account.
And Im excited about what people are saying about Malcolm.
Thats got me pumped up because I knew it.
And people who knew him always knew, but we just wanted him to jump and go for it.
When he finally did, he nailed it.
DEADLINE: Malcolm is getting a lot of praise for his work on this film.
And it is very clear that hes a special filmmaker with a vision.
When did you first know he was the real deal?
WASHINGTON:Ive always known just based on our conversations and how he feels and sees cinema.
The Piano Lesson is very unique to all the other plays in the century cycle.
We have the supernatural element.
Obviously, family dynamics run pretty rampant in the stories.
Theres this bed of history that were building on.
And then we have these wonderfully detailed and intricate characters.
And he did it.
DEADLINE: Your performance to me here is unique to your others because of its physicality.
How did you go about building that?
WASHINGTON:The film offered ways to tell the story that was different from the play.
For example, because some lines were cut, I could use those lines for backstory.
His name is Jeremy Meyer.
Hes out of Iowa.
Generally, I was thinking a lot about his motivations for being there in the first place.
It wasnt just about the piano.
I think hes a bit anxious too.
He doesnt know exactly how its gonna go.
I suspect he doesnt talk that much or even that fast when hes outside with other people.
But when he gets with his older sister and his family, he just cant help himself.
Also, the set decorations and locations helped a lot.
That house helped with the behavior.
I had two questions from that: As an actor, what were you working from before this film?
And what did you discover after?
Thats what I was referring to.
And if I could handle this story it would be one of the hardest characters Ive ever played.
And if couldnt do it, maybe I wasnt good enough.
Perhaps I was at a certain level where I could only do certain characters.
So there was a lot of pressure.
This to me was just the perfect character.
I didnt have to work on it.
I didnt have to discuss any changes with a director.
Now, that felt like a lot of pressure, but also a first for me.
So thats what I meant.
What I found afterward is that I feel comfortable now.
I feel able to do any character thats written.
I just feel like I can handle any language now because of this.
Its an interesting space youre in and also I imagine quite weird.
How do you feel about your current position?
WASHINGTON:A weird place indeed, particularly with Tenet coming out during the pandemic.
Another big sci-fi film I did came out last year during the SAG strike.
I didnt feel like I got to market it the way Im marketing this.
So Im not sure where I am in my career, according to the industry, to be honest.
But its hard to know where I am.
I mean, theres negativity all the time.
You check the comment section and youll find something thatll hurt your feelings.
So I try not to look at it that way.
DEADLINE: Going back to Tenet briefly.
Did you guys discuss that at all or were you aware of how interesting it was?
He didnt say were on the precipice of history or anything like that.
He just said hes a man.
Hes never done that before, so it was rock and roll, man.
He was shaking up the industry with that hire to me.
I was very aware of it and didnt take that kind of responsibility lightly.
I mean, even your brothers decision to start his career with an August Wilson play feels very intentional.
Am I observing that correctly?
And if so, why?
WASHINGTON:You know, I dont know what Malcolm does next.
Maybe he does a blockbuster or something.
I dont know what hes thinking, but I do know how important he holds storytelling and representation.
I know my sister Katia feels that way as well.
I think ultimately what I can say is that you could trust something theyre a part of.
Thats the goal for me as well.
DEADLINE: As you said earlier, weve been living in such unprecedented times.
How do you see the industry now?
WASHINGTON:Im seeing diversity, especially in the streaming space.
That being said, were still behind.
I think we still need more diversity.
I think we need to accelerate the opportunities for us, by us.
I also think were seeing directors making films.
Whether its Darren Aronofsky or Paul Thomas Anderson, hes got some coming out.
Jordan Peele is cooking up, and Ryan Cooglers new trailer is out.
So people are working.
Its hard to say where the industry is, though, I guess because of streaming and AI.
But look at the Wicked and Gladiator numbers.
People are showing up to the theater still.
People still want storytelling.
I believe in the power of storytelling, and I think people still want to be entertained.
DEADLINE: What do you want to do next?
WASHINGTON:I would love to collaborate.
I would like to do Shakespeare.
I would like to doThe Taming of the Shrew.
I would like to do a Tennessee William play or something original on stage.
I want to go back.
I just sawHold On to Me Darlingwith Adam Driver off-Broadway.
So Im still hungry to tell stories and to collaborate with people who know what theyre doing.
DEADLINE: You speak a lot about Shakespeare and the stage in general.
Why does the theatre keep pulling you back?
WASHINGTON:It is terrifying.
But theres something about the perseverance it requires.
Every time youre done and you take that final bow, you feel so good.
You feel like youve contributed to the world through your art.
You get the people that are seeing it right away.
Theyre letting you know whether you did good or not.
I also just think its a great place to learn.
My old man talks about that all the time.
Thats how you learn how to act.
I want to be the best actor I can be.
So I have to have that balance.
