“I mean he was the most memorable character”: Barry Keoghan Was Asked by Marvel Director to Mimic Hayden Christensen Instead of Playing a Superhero
Barry Keoghan, acclaimed for his outstanding performances across diverse cinematic landscapes, has truly left an indelible mark on the global film industry. Among his impressive repertoire, his portrayal of Druig in Eternals stands out as a testament to his acting prowess. Keoghan’s nuanced and impactful depiction of the character added depth and dimension to the film. However, what adds an intriguing layer to Keoghan’s performance in Eternals is a revelation he recently made during an interview.
In a candid moment, Keoghan disclosed that director Chloe Zhao had an unusual but compelling inspiration for guiding his performance in Eternals. According to Keoghan, Zhao encouraged him to channel the essence of Hayden Christensen’s iconic portrayal of Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars saga. Chloe Zhao’s decision to draw inspiration from Christensen’s performance adds an interesting dynamic to the creative process behind Eternals.
Barry Keoghan’s Star Wars Twist in Crafting Druig’s Character in Eternals
Barry Keoghan‘s journey into the role of Druig in Eternals took an unexpected and amusing turn when director Chloé Zhao gave him a hilarious advice just before filming commenced. In a surprising twist, Zhao urged Keoghan to draw inspiration from none other than Hayden Christensen’s portrayal of Anakin Skywalker in the divisive Star Wars prequel trilogy. What made this directive even more intriguing was the fact that Christensen’s performance had garnered its fair share of criticism, adding an element of unpredictability to Zhao’s creative choice.
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Druig, a character endowed with the ability to manipulate others’ minds, found an unexpected muse in the Jedi mind tricks of Anakin Skywalker. Referring Zhao’s advice, Keoghan told GQ,
“Chloe kept referencing Hayden Christensen. His character in Star Wars to be a bit more [specific]. She just wanted me to be a bit more still, very chin high. That was the only, really, prep I kinda done was to learn to walk a bit slower. I tried to mind-control people, and people would go, ‘What are you doing? Why are you staring at me?’”
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Keoghan, known for his adaptability and commitment to his craft, took the director’s humorous advice in stride. Keoghan further mentioned GQ,
“You’re doing superhero movies, so you’ve got to humanize them. Don’t play the superhero – try and bring the human side of them out. Chloe just kind of let me be me and wanted me to kind of be still.”
Embracing the challenge, he managed to imbue Druig with a unique blend of charisma and mind-manipulating prowess, drawing from the unexpected inspiration of Anakin Skywalker’s character traits. The unexpected connection between Druig and Anakin Skywalker added an element of intrigue to the film. The revelation of this quirky behind-the-scenes note created a buzz among Eternals fans, sparking a frenzy on social media platforms.
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Barry Keoghan’s Eternals Odyssey Garners Fans’ Support Amid Unconventional Guidance
Barry Keoghan’s portrayal in Eternals, inspired by Hayden Christensen’s Star Wars legacy, resonated with fans, who deemed his role the most memorable. Supporters defended Keoghan, emphasizing the uniqueness of his performance. The behind-the-scenes anecdote shared by Keoghan, involving director Chloe Zhao garnered fan support, highlighting the collaborative and creative process.
I mean he was the most memorable character from the Eternals, so 🤷♂️
— Vtuber 4Life (@Vtuber94077) January 10, 2024
He stole that Movie
— Scene Invaders (@SceneInvaders) January 10, 2024
loved the role his character had in the movie so reading this I can totally see it
— anthony a. (@punkpuzzlepiece) January 10, 2024
Usually that’s a bad note from a director to talent 😬
— Shoot the Sh*t (@NLNShootTheShit) January 10, 2024
Please have no Star Wars elements in the next Eternals
— Woodland🔋⚡️📈🌎☀️ (@Woodland_00) January 10, 2024
Fans expressed dissatisfaction with limiting a versatile talent like Keoghan to comparisons, emphasizing the unfairness of such judgments. Despite the monumental finale featuring a colossal Celestial emerging from the Earth, it remained a relatively unexplored narrative in subsequent Marvel projects. Chloe Zhao’s earlier hints about Eternals impacting the MCU’s future raised expectations for significant repercussions, leaving fans eagerly anticipating Druig’s potential return.