Liam Neeson is a wonderful actor, known for his commanding presence and versatile performances. Over the years, the Taken star has starred in a plethora of movies, seamlessly transforming from one genre to another. While he is now known across the world, the first movie that ever propelled him to international success was Steven Spielberg’s $322 million movie.
Despite the movie and the role widely regarded as his best to date, Neeson isn’t too fond of it. The reason being Spielberg’s peculiar demand for the role, which left Neeson full of disdain. Despite his ‘lack of fondness’ for the character, he feels the movie is a masterpiece.
Liam Neeson Hates His Most Famous Role In Steven Spielberg’s Movie
Schindler’s List is widely regarded as Liam Neeson‘s best movie to date. A movie that propelled him to international fame and stardom, Schindler’s List can be found in every must-watch movies list. While Speilberg was praised for his exceptional directing abilities, Neeson was hailed as an extraordinary star with remarkable talent to embody the complexities of a morally conflicted character.
Schindler’s List was based on Oskar Schindler, a German industrialist who helped save over 1200 Jews during the horrifying Holocaust. Portraying such a historically significant role is not an easy job but to say Liam Neeson nailed it would be an understatement.
While viewers praised the A-Team star for his magnetic screen presence and authentic portrayal of Oskar Schindler, he was Nominated for a BAFTA and a Golden Globe. However, despite the success, Neeson hates his role in the movie.
“I think it’s a wonderful film, I think Steven has done a really extraordinary film. I’m not happy with my performance at all. Because I don’t see any of me in it. Just me, Liam Neeson, you know?”
And the reason behind his contempt for his best portrayals is the directing process.
Liam Neeson Didn’t Like Schindler’s List’s Direction Process
Many times the way a movie is being directed and shot can leave actors feeling contempt for it, even though they might win accolades for their role. And Steven Spielberg is already famous for his ‘harsh’ direction and production process. So, it was precisely this reason that made Neeson loathe his most famous role.
“Steven directed me very, very, very, very minutely. There were times — like there’s a shot there of me with a cigarette … I was a smoker at the time, he’d be telling me when to smoke. He’d be telling me when to breathe. I remember saying, ‘I can’t handle this. I’m not a puppet,’ you know? Anyway, there’s a lot of scenes so when I see it I’m aware of Steven directing me on exactly how to hold the cigarette, and when to breathe, and when to look here and when to look there. So I’m not happy with my performance, even though I think the film is masterful.”
Due to Spielberg’s unique directorial process, Neeson felt out of character and ended up despising his best role ever.
Schindler’s List can be rented on Amazon Instant Video.
Source: The Late Late Show
