Hugh Jackman Discusses Working With Florian Zeller On The Son I Ve Never Had An Experience Like It

Hugh Jackman has nothing but praise for his latest film and its director. The legendary actor is set to star in The Son by Florian Zeller, based on the play of the same name from Zeller. The movie is just the second to come from the filmmaker, who is known for his work on The Father, a film based on another play of his which won two Academy Awards in 2020.

The Son features two Oscar winners in its cast, Anthony Hopkins and Laura Dern, and another two nominees with Jackman and Vanessa Kirby. The upcoming movie has everything it needs to be successful, and Jackman adored his time on set. The actor recently sat down with Deadline with co-star Laura Dern and said, “I’ve never had an experience like it,” when discussing his time with Zeller and The Son.

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The idea of limited rehearsals seems quite different for a feature film; however, the cast involved in the film are experts at their craft. If Zeller places the actors in situations with their scripts and allows them some freedom, The Son may provide one of the most authentic experiences in movies in recent memory.

“I’ve never had an experience like it. From the very first phone call I had with Florian I felt his strength and his knowing more than me that I was right for the part. I had a knowing here that I needed to do it, I had no idea how I was gonna do it, or how it was gonna transpire, but I felt his strength which gave me courage. His instincts were to say to me ‘You have everything you need for this. You don’t have to go miles outside of yourself, it’s all there. Trust in the process, no rehearsal, let’s just leap off every day.’ Literally leap off with no idea how we’re going to start, with no idea how we’re going to end. I’m sure [Laura Dern] had an idea, maybe. But encouraged us to not have any sort of plans or to control the scene and just to trust in being with brilliant actors and the beautiful words and go with it. So, I think Florian prepared me by making me feel confident enough to leap with no agenda.”

The Son is Set for Release Later This Year

     Sony Pictures Classics  

Sony Pictures Classics is set to release The Son later this year, which should undoubtedly be an award-season contender. The film follows Peter (Jackman) as he navigates his busy life with his new partner Beth (Vanessa Kirby). However, their life is thrown into disarray when his ex-wife Kate (Laura Dern) arrives with their teenage son, Nicholas (Zen McGrath).

The Son is sure to be an emotional journey about family, just as The Father was when it was released. The film is set to debut in theaters in New York and Los Angeles later this year on Nov. 11, before a wider distribution follows.