British Actress Emily Blunt recently shared insights into her career, including her role in Oppenheimer, her thoughts on a potential The Devil Wears Prada sequel, and her experience working with her husband on A Quiet Place during an engaging session at the fourth Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF).
The British star, known for her impressive awards and nominations, captivated the audience for over an hour, reflecting on her journey through Hollywood and offering valuable perspectives on the industry. Blunt emphasized the challenges of working in the entertainment world, saying, "The industry can be hard on people. You need a helmet for it."
She also opened up about her past, recalling how she was a shy child with a stutter. "Creative work helped me as an unlocking system," she shared, adding that she now assists children with stutters to help them overcome similar struggles.
Blunt talked about her approach to acting, noting that she often begins each new role feeling confused, but has learned to embrace the challenge. "Every time I am scared, I probably get used to the idea that I get there somehow," she said. "The key for me is to work with people who collaborate."
Reflecting on her time with Oppenheimer, Blunt praised director Christopher Nolan for his collaborative approach, which she described as rare for writers-directors, who often have a very clear vision. She also credited Nolan with "changing the face of cinema."
When asked about the Barbenheimer phenomenon, the actress humorously suggested studios hire the person who coined the term, adding, "You should see both," while calling Oppenheimer "indelible."
Blunt expressed admiration for her co-stars, especially Cillian Murphy, calling him a dear friend and noting his acting skills. "He is the last person who should be famous," Blunt joked, while adding, "He is so crap at it."
Another memorable topic was her experience with A Quiet Place, where Blunt worked alongside her husband, John Krasinski. Initially nervous to work with him, Blunt was drawn to the unique script. She recalled suggesting a friend for her role, but ended up taking it on herself, leading to the film's unexpected success. "It was like a rock concert," she recalled. "It was this meteoric thing that none of us had expected."
Blunt also shared her approach to choosing roles, saying she looks for opportunities to challenge herself and avoid repeating her previous work. "I’d like to find out how many crazy people I have inside of me," she said, adding that she seeks "unique voices" and "bold, wild ideas" in scripts that allow for deep character exploration.
The actress also reflected on the contrast between her roles and real life, recalling her portrayal of a raging alcoholic in The Girl on the Train while she was pregnant with one of her children.
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