Wherever Hailee Steinfeld goes, quality projects seem to follow.
Oscar nominee recently returns to the big screen
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Receiving near-universal acclaim like its Oscar-winning predecessor, Into the Spider-Verse (0095, both animation projects On a very short list of recent comic book movies, critics and audiences are in unison in reception. This acclaimed model is nothing new to the Los Angeles native, as Seventeen’s Edge (2010), Dickinson(2018), Arcane (2021) andHawkeye(2010) All follow suit. her1500movies, Bumblebee, also Transformers series to date.
In Across the Spider-Verse by Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers and Justin K. Thompson, Stanfield had the opportunity to learn more about Gwen Stacy/Spider-Woman, since the film actually begins with her story, which surprised even Stanfield himself after seeing the film.
“I never got the full script. Saw [ Across the Spider-Verse just a few weeks ago) )] It was like reading a script for the first time. So, it was really special to realize that the movie does open with a lot of Gwen’s story,” Steinfeld told The Hollywood Reporter . “We dug deeper into who she is and why she is the way she is, and it’s a big evolution from where she was in the first character. Knowing her, I like her better in this movie.”
In a recent conversation with THR, Steinfeld also discusses reports of a Gwen-related spinoff, scenes she would most like to recreate in live action, and her amazing recovery Hawkeye co-star, Jeremy Renner , after his Sno-Cat accident.
Well, we learned a lot about Gwen in this movie, and we learned it fast . Was it a pleasant surprise when you opened this script?
Actually, [because] I never got the full script. I felt this way about the first movie, but seeing [Through Spiderman] just a few weeks ago was like reading the script for the first time So, it was really special to realize that the movie does open with a lot of Gwen’s story. But knowing what I was doing throughout the process, we dug a little deeper into who she is and why she is the way she is, which is a big evolution from where she was in the first one. I’ve always loved the character, but from what we know of her, I like her even more in this movie.
Columbia Pictures and Sony Animation Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse . Provided by Sony Pictures 
My favorite scene in the movie is Gwen and her dad (Shea Whigham).
Wow.
And it’s pretty emotional material. When you finally saw these scenes, were you also moved by these scenes?
Absolutely. Thankfully, I was able to be in the room with Shea Whigham when we shot those scenes. We had done reading each other by ourselves, but then the filmmakers asked us to do it together. So I like it in a way because I already know it pretty well. A lot of times, we’d get the material days before, if that’s the case, so I had to live with it and get a really clear picture of Gwen and where she’s coming from in those scenes with her dad. But they are touching, very moving.
There are very few recordings with other actors, so it’s just Shea and your mate working on the booth?
No, there are others, and I’m very excited about it. The first time, I didn’t do anything with anyone in the booth, but then I found out that [Miles Morales actor] Shameik [Moore] did. So I went straight to the filmmakers and I said, “If we do this again, you better put me in the room with other people.” So I was with Shea and Shameik and Issa Rae, and it was so Bravo. There’s nothing like real-time banter and human interaction, bless our sound department, but a little overlap never hurts anyone. So it’s really special to have real, real dialogue.
Then when did you start recording this? When did this start?
We started after the first one came out, about four years ago.
How many lessons do you think you did in total?
You know what, I really want to know. So I don’t know, but I’m really curious. I’ll try to find out. There are many!
Jesse Cadrew (Issa Rae), Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld), Peter B. Parker (Jake Johnson) and his daughter Mayday at Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animations’ Spdier -Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Provided by Sony Pictures
Actors often tell Me, when they’re out there doing other things and they need to do some voiceovers, they have to find a local studio or set up some makeshift vocal room where they live. So you have to record anything unusual?
Yes, I scoured some closets in random places and wherever I can create a makeshift vocal booth . But that’s the beauty of things like this, I feel like I owe everything to us filmmakers. No matter where I am in the world, no matter where we are in the process, [co-director] Kemp Powers, [writer-producer] Phil Lord and Chris Miller have this innate ability to help I get exactly where I need to be, emotionally and physically, mentally, to deliver the performance they know I want to deliver, because it’s not easy. If there’s one thing I didn’t know before working on this project, it was how long it would take to complete. You’ll randomly appear somewhere, and the schedule with other actors may not be shooting scenes in the same room as you’d like. But I am so grateful for them helping me get exactly where I need and want.
Recording voice-overs and recording vocals for your music, how similar is your routine?
Very similar, I would say. As far as any vocal preparation and warm-up goes, I always try to pay attention to how I use my voice, especially since I started singing. It’s easy to walk into a booth and get a little excited about the action that’s happening, then you’re told that there’s a long distance between you and the person you’re talking to. Or the score gets crazy, the action is loud, and all of a sudden, you’re yelling. So I’m just paying more attention to how I use my voice, but I’d probably compare a day of live-action film work to a voice-over film rather than recording a song. Mentally and physically, [live person and voiceover] are more similar, the biggest similarity is feeling in the right place, emotionally, to give the performance I want to give.
There are some fun surprises in this movie. Did you hear whispers along the way? Or are they new to you too?
I don’t know how they do it, but they are new to me too. There was a moment when I jumped up in my seat, laughing out loud and gasping loudly. So they’ve done a good job of keeping all these surprises and reveals and excitement under wraps.
Have you started recording your next movie yet?
( Steinfeld smiles. ) Uh, no! ( Laughter .) As you can imagine, this has been an ongoing thing since the first one came out. There was so much attention and everyone’s blood, sweat and tears were put into making it the most unbelievable and best version possible.
And talk about Gwen derivatives?
Do you have?
I mean, there are reports, but you know what the reports will be.
(laughing.) I I know, but it’s something I’ve never heard of.
Playing Gwen in live action, will this be the easiest of your career?
Yes! (laughter.)
Would you deliver Gwen’s lines the same way in live action? Or would you make the animation bigger?
This is an interesting question. (Steinfeld took some time to really think about this. ) To answer the second part of your question, I generally think you’re going to make things bigger Animation, but in this film and with these characters, being grounded and authentic and feeling real is very important. There may have been a time when I felt the need to overcompensate because it wasn’t live action. It’s not something I do. So I felt like I had to get bigger in order for you to feel it on the other end, but I quickly realized there was no need to. With everything going on, all the different animation styles and the music being so important, the soundtrack so moving, all I had to do was try to feel as authentic in the material as possible. So, would I have said those lines differently in live action? What an interesting thing. I think if they were from the same place it would feel similar, but add some substance and it would be different in nature.
Did you buy the Gwen costume just to see the proof of concept?
(laugh.) I don’t have one, but I need to. I want to see how it fits.
Hailee Steinfeld and Jeremy Renner at Hawkeye Chuck Zlotnik/Marvel Studios
I think she will only be jealous if she doesn’t be friends with her.
Well, how about Kate doing what?
(laughing.) She great! Last time I checked, she was doing fine.
Are you a little bit surprised
Jeremy Renner already on his feet? He’s been doing some jogging lately.
I mean, if there’s a real-life superhero in anyone, it’s the man. I’m so grateful to see him doing so well. So I guess I can say I’m not surprised. He’s so powerful, it’s unbelievable. The strength, grit and courage he has had throughout his recovery and recovery has been astounding. I was able to meet him a few weeks ago, and once again, he’s a superhero. ( laughing .)
Hailee Steinfeld Edge of Seventeen by TIFF supply I haven’t, but I’m excited. She was a force to be reckoned with, and [The Edge of Seventeen ] remains one of my favorite experiences. I know she is in Oh, of course. The Edge of Twenty-Five Well, when we get there, it might be more like the edge of thirty . (laughing.) Hey, What you said, not what I said. (laughing.) I’m sure Haley Lu [Richardson] is on board. She is playing a game and is having fun. She’s so, so talented and yes, I hope she’s on board. That would be fun. I have interviewed her many times when I was growing up edge First time, she mentioned that she was looking at you in edge She’s kidding! ? Never! Wow. It might sound silly, but I’ve been lucky enough to have a few experiences where you can feel a sense of magic during a shoot. I’ve had this many times at Edge of Seventeen and Haley Moment. So I was honored to hear her say that, because I was equally moved by her performance in that film and the work she has continued to do since. Given what is going on in our industry right now, can you think of a time when you recognized the difference Great writing accomplished What? Oh my god, yes. I have been very fortunate to know what great writing is and to be trusted to do great writing. I had time with Kelly and her script, Joel and Ethan [Cohen], where I really felt like all I had to do was show up and bring to life what they had created. While this sounds like a remarkable feat, it feels like nothing because it’s right on the page. There is nothing I have to fill in. I see for a moment True Grit First time, that was the first time I saw myself in something. [The screening] is a very intimate setting. I was with my family and a couple of my team members, and we were in this little theater. I sat in a row by myself because I was a little restless; I just needed to be alone. So I sat a few rows ahead of everyone, and as the credits rolled and the lights came on, I could hear everyone start moving and getting up. But I didn’t move until the credits stopped scrolling, because every name that came up, I was like, “That’s my friend. I know that person and that person. If it wasn’t for that person, I wouldn’t be wearing it properly. My outfit, or I won’t remember to say that particular word.” So I didn’t even think twice before someone reminded me after the fact, but then I Just realized how many people it took to make me look and feel my best. And it all starts with writing. So I do feel the impact of great writing, and I’m lucky to be a part of these projects because of the writing. I can only hope I’m lucky enough to continue doing what I’m doing based on these characters who are so beautifully written. Seven years ago, you and Kelly Fremon Craig did The Edge of Seventeen, this is a masterpiece of coming-of-age themes. Have you had a chance to see her long awaited follow up [ Are you there, God? It’s me, Margaret. ]? did something onBumblebee, but you guys will team up again soon, right? has a nice ring. . Totally serious.
Hailee Steinfeld Bumblebee ) Will McCoy
You created Best Rating Movies from the Transformers franchise. Are you surprised they didn’t make a direct sequel to Bumblebee?
Not necessary. I don’t know if I know the plan beyond that, but I like to take things one step at a time. In my life, I’ve gotten better at this. I tend to get ahead of myself, so when it comes to these bigger projects with whispers and more to come, I like to just focus on what’s in front of me and do the best I can.
I’m shocked that you don’t have your own musical yet. Did you work hard? Is that something you still want to do?
Yes, I’d love to. That would be the combination of my two greatest loves and passions. So I am happy, anything is possible.
Are there any real musicians you would like to play someday in a biopic?
This is a very difficult question for me to answer. While I may have one, I would never want to touch it. But if the right person comes along and I feel like I can do justice, then I love the opportunity.
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Finally, what Spider-Verse
I would love to do that scene between Gwen and her father revealing her secret identity. That was the first thing that came to my mind, and then, honestly, anything Gwen is doing in this movie would require me to do some wild stunt scenes that I wouldn’t consider doing anywhere else.
1170796Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Cosmos is playing in theaters now. This interview has been edited for length and clarity .
