Tony Gilroy says he's never written a character like Pedro Pascal's in Behemoth!
A.V. Club • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Pascal described his character Alex as a "passenger in his life," emphasizing that while Alex is a passenger, he is not passive, highlighting the character's active presence despite seeming to wait for events to unfold.
- Director Gilroy compared Alex to Marcello Mastroianni’s roles, particularly in "A Special Day," noting the challenge of portraying a character who is involved yet not overwhelmed by the story’s momentum.
- The narrative of Behemoth! unfolds non-chronologically, with characters entering and leaving Alex’s life with minimal notice, reflecting the fragmented nature of his experiences.
- Pascal found the script challenging, likening it to a puzzle, and after a candid discussion with Gilroy about learning to play the cello, he committed fully to mastering the instrument despite uncertainty about his proficiency.
- The cello became central to Pascal’s preparation, symbolizing a key aspect of his character, and Gilroy ultimately approved Pascal’s dedication and progress, allowing filming to proceed.
