by This former co-star of Tom Cruise said that working on “Oblivion” had been his worst experience in the cinema-even his worst work. Discover his words.
Asked about her most unpleasant professional experience, Andrea Riseborough did not hesitate to quote her time spent on the filming of Oblivion (2013) by Joseph Kosinski.
“” “Either shredding duck in a Chinese restaurant, or on oblivion”, She replied in The Guardian in an interview with the media in 2016. This comparison between working on the blockbuster with Tom Cruise and a work in a restaurant speaks volumes about the actress’s experience on the set of the science fiction film at 120 million dollars.
Riseborough, who plays Victoria “Vika” Olsen, communications officer and partner of Jack Harper (Cruise) in the feature film, had already proven his versatility in more modest projects and hailed by criticism before winning the role. But the transition to a big budget film turned out to be difficult, in a way that it had not anticipated.
Misogyny and insulation
What made the experience Oblivion so unpleasant for Andrea Riseborough ? Several factors seem to have disrupted production. The positive side is that the film has benefited from elaborate sets, avant-garde visual effects and the clean aesthetics that Kosinski used for his first film, Tron: L’Harche (2010). However, for the actress, that was not enough to compensate for what she considered an imperfect experience. Uncomfortable in the face of misogyny, she said she felt isolated during the shooting. The magnitude and technical requirements of the film have created an impersonal work environment, with few women’s colleagues to tie links.
The role itself was also a challenge. Following late modifications of the scenario, his character found himself dedicated to the exhibition of the story rather than his progression. In addition, the meticulous examination of his physique left him a bitter taste. She told Times: “We have discussed a lot about the size of my body: too large or too small, not muscular or long enough. I can almost laugh today, but at the time, I felt very alone.»
Universal Pictures
Oblivion takes place in the near future, devastated by an extraterrestrial invasion, where Jack Harper works as a maintenance technician for drones who patrol the surface of the planet. Living in a control tower with his partner Vika (Riseborough), Harper challenges his mission when he meets Julia (Olga Kurylenko), who awakens in him memories of a past he believed to be erased. Over time, Harper discovers the truth about war, his identity and the true destiny of humanity.
Universal Pictures
The scriptwriter also frustrated
However, Andrea Riseborough was not the only one to be dissatisfied. William Monahan’s initial scenario has experienced several iterations, a rewriting by Karl Gajdusek and Michael Arndt bringing the final touch when Universal took over the project, which frustrated the screenwriter.
“” “It was extremely different”Said William Monahan at Cinema Blend. “” “I had written something that I found very good, perhaps a classic science fiction, which, I imagine, allowed the green light of the film, then the following writers transformed it into cannon fodder, despite Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman, Andrea Riseborough And Olga Kurylenkothat I all love.»
From disappointment to recognition to Oscars
Strong in a remarkable career, Andrea Riseborough Subsequently delivered exceptional performances in films like Birdman (2014), Stalin’s death (2017) or Possessor (2020). More importantly, his performance in Leslie (2022) earned him an Oscar appointment for the best actress. His later work in Amsterdam (2022) alongside Christian Bale and Margot Robbie, as well as his role in Asteroid City (2023) of Wes Anderson, built his reputation among the most talented and most committed British actresses in their work.
Momentum Pictures “To leslie” (2022)
Oblivion may have been the worst project ofAndrea Riseboroughbut his career therefore shows that the most difficult experiences can sometimes open the way to greater successes. Going from the disappointment of a big budget blockbuster to recognition to the Oscars, the value of an actor is therefore not always judged at his stamps …
Oblivion is to be found in streaming on Netflix, Canal+ or Max.
