In a recent conversation with The New York Times published on February 21, American-French actor, Timothee Chalamet, hinted at the possibility of taking on a superhero role, despite receiving advice to the contrary from Leonardo DiCaprio. Chalamet, known for his roles in films like Call Me by Your Name and Dune, discussed his career choices and the influence of superhero movies on his acting aspirations.
The actor responded to a query about whether he has been offered roles to portray superheroes in major films. DiCaprio’s advice to Chalamet, as revealed by the actor himself was “No superhero movies, no hard drugs,” a mantra that Chalamet admitted to following. He jokingly added, “I follow both!” in response to filmmaker Villeneuve’s humorous inquiry, “Which one?” Despite this advice, Chalamet highlighted The Dark Knight as the movie that inspired his passion for acting. He emphasized that he would contemplate a superhero role if the script and director were exceptional.
“If the script was great, if the director was great, I’d have to consider it.”
Earlier, in a 2021 interview with Time, he playfully mentioned receiving this advice from “one of my heroes,” withholding the identity in jest, stating, “I can’t say who or he’d kick my ass.”
However, in a subsequent 2022 interview with British Vogue, Chalamet revealed that the advice came from Leonardo DiCaprio during their first meeting in 2018. Vogue described DiCaprio’s words as a mantra that became a guiding principle for Chalamet’s career at that time.
Chalamet’s affection for the influential 2008 comic book film, The Dark Knight, is well-documented. His admiration for the movie was evident when he received the Best Actor award for Call Me by Your Name at the New York Film Critics Circle Awards in 2018. During his acceptance speech, Chalamet shared a personal anecdote about how The Dark Knight had a profound impact on him.
He recounted a vivid memory from when he was 12 years old. After attending one of his sister Pauline’s ballet performances, he eagerly convinced his mom and grandma to accompany him to see Christopher Nolan’s masterpiece at AMC Empire 25 in Times Square. Reflecting on that experience, Chalamet expressed that watching Heath Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker was transformative for him. He described the performance as “visceral and viral,” leaving a lasting impression and igniting his passion for acting.
Despite his admiration for superhero films, Chalamet has predominantly avoided such roles in his career. However, he has portrayed iconic characters, such as Willy Wonka in Wonka and Paul Atreides in Dune, the latter of which sees him portraying a character with supernatural abilities in a science fiction setting.
The upcoming film Dune: Part Two continues the epic saga based on Frank Herbert’s iconic 1965 novel. Picking up from where the first film left off, it follows the protagonist Paul Atreides, played by Timothee Chalamet, immediately after the events of the initial instalment.
The storyline delves deeper into Paul’s journey as he joins Chani, portrayed by Zendaya, and the Fremen in his quest for vengeance against those responsible for his family’s downfall. The official synopsis teases a narrative filled with mythic undertones, highlighting Paul’s pivotal role in shaping the fate of the universe.
Directed by Denis Villeneuve, Dune: Part Two is set to hit theatres on March 1, 2024.
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