Jai Courtney has a killer dance in Dangerous Animals, also talks favorite horror and upcoming War Ma

Summary

In this candid conversation, the speaker reflects on the unhinged and spontaneous dance scene in their latest film, drawing parallels to Pulp Fiction and Silence of the Lambs. They discuss their collaboration with the director and cinematographer, diving into the freedom and raw energy that defined the scene. The speaker also hints at their excitement for the upcoming sci-fi action film, *War Machine*, and shares their recommendation for a gripping horror-thriller, *Silence of the Lambs*. A touch of humor and self-awareness rounds out the interview, offering insight into their creative process and upcoming projects.

Takeaways

• 😀 The dancing scene in the film was approached with a loose, uninhibited, and free style, aiming to capture the character’s darkness and unhinged nature.
• 😀 The director, Sean, wanted the scene to feel like the character was celebrating his own snuff film, setting a tone of drunkenness and recklessness.
• 😀 The actor had to let go of inhibitions to make the scene impactful and to avoid multiple takes, aiming for authenticity and intensity in the performance.
• 😀 The cinematographer, Shelley, shot the scene handheld, and they only did two takes while playing the music loudly and incorporating some whiskey for added effect.
• 😀 The actor joked about turning the scene into a dance video for killers and even creating a Vegas show based on it, highlighting the absurdity and creativity of the moment.
• 😀 The actor shared excitement about the upcoming film *War Machine*, which has a high-concept sci-fi action premise, with a big heart and a human-centered story.
• 😀 *War Machine* features a backdrop of global war, blending action with emotional depth, which the actor believes audiences will love.
• 😀 When asked about horror and suspense movies, the actor recommended *Silence of the Lambs*, particularly praising Anthony Hopkins' portrayal of Hannibal Lecter as iconic.
• 😀 The actor admitted that he doesn’t consume much horror, but appreciates thrillers with strong character development and intrigue that are still haunting.
• 😀 The actor humorously mentioned a kimono scene in the film, drawing a playful comparison to the character of Buffalo Bill from *Silence of the Lambs*, with a nod to keeping certain lines to oneself.

Q & A

What inspired the unique dancing scene described in the interview?

The inspiration behind the dancing scene came from a desire to showcase the character's unhinged state, reflecting a rap party for a snuff film. The goal was to create a loose, uninhibited solo performance that felt real and raw.

How did the director, Sean, approach the scene with the actor?

Sean gave the actor freedom to improvise and embrace the scene without restrictions, encouraging a raw performance. The idea was to keep it spontaneous, capturing the character's dark and unpredictable nature.

What was the actor's mindset before filming the dance scene?

The actor had to let go of inhibitions and take the plunge into an uninhibited performance. This approach aimed to minimize retakes and capture a sense of freedom, allowing the character’s unhinged personality to shine through.

How did the cinematographer contribute to the scene?

The cinematographer, Shelley, used a handheld camera to capture the moment. They only did two takes and cranked up the song to enhance the energy and the intensity of the performance.

Was there any preparation before filming the dance scene?

The actor had a shot of whiskey before starting the scene to get into the mood, and then they simply cranked up the music and let the performance unfold naturally.

What is the actor’s opinion on the outcome of the dance scene?

The actor was pleased with how the scene turned out, noting that it could be turned into a dance video for 'killers' and joking about teaching the choreography to others for a Vegas show.

What can you share about the upcoming movie 'War Machine'?

The movie 'War Machine' is a high-concept, sci-fi action film with a lot of heart. The story is set against a global war backdrop, and the cast looks amazing. It's a huge film with a human-centered narrative.

What is the actor's take on horror and suspense films?

The actor prefers films in the thriller genre that have strong character development and psychological depth. 'Silence of the Lambs' is one of their favorite examples, particularly due to the iconic portrayal of Hannibal Lecter by Anthony Hopkins.

Why does the actor recommend 'Silence of the Lambs' as a horror film?

The actor finds 'Silence of the Lambs' to be a great film because of its deep character exploration, intriguing plot, and haunting atmosphere. The performance by Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter is particularly memorable.

What humorous reference did the actor make about his own scene in relation to 'Silence of the Lambs'?

The actor humorously referenced a 'kimono scene' in their own film, comparing it to a memorable moment in 'Silence of the Lambs' and joking about the potential awkwardness of quoting a certain line from the movie.