In the opening sequence of David Ayer’s 2014 war film Fury, the lifeless corpse of an American soldier lies facedown on a muddy battlefield, a grim result of a ferocious earlier battle. The figure is mostly obscured by a blend of bodily remnants and blood. Nearby soldiers show a casual indifference to the sight of fallen comrades. Brad Pitt, portraying Staff Sergeant Don ‘Wardaddy’ Collier, directs his men to board the Sherman tank and proceed to the next engagement.
As evident from the scenes on screen, the preparation for Fury proved to be an intense and challenging endeavor. In a 2014 interview with IndieWire, which also featured Ayer, Brad Pitt likened the rehearsal process to undergoing a root canal. Extensive research and a meticulously crafted boot camp aimed to immerse the actors in genuine experiences of cold, hunger, and desperation.
David Ayer Went Too Far With Brad Pitt And Other Actors
During the IndieWire interview, David Ayer emphasized his commitment to authenticity as a director. He appeared to have little faith in conventional acting approaches, instead opting to extract genuine anguish from his Fury cast. His strategy involved pushing the actors to their limits, delving deep into their emotions to authentically convey the desperation, anger, and intense emotions of American military personnel from the 1940s. He delved into his guiding principles and even shared some of the more intense methods he employed.
Ayer’s approach led to a Thanksgiving scene in Fury that was intentionally designed to evoke the worst possible scenario. As the soldiers convene around the dinner table for a fleeting moment of solace, their simmering anger becomes palpable. Ayer openly acknowledges that he strategically breached some actors’ trust, seeking to ignite genuine animosity among them. He engaged in private, individual discussions with Brad Pitt and then utilized the insights he had gained as emotional ammunition.
“That was really my worst offense as a director. These guys really trusted me with their secrets and we worked so hard to build this trust and this relationship and bond between the actors that would then inform their on-screen chemistry. And I used all that information against them. I’d slip Brad’s secrets to the other guys. It was a dirty knife fight in an alley. But, you feel the tension, you see it on screen.”
Fury garnered favorable feedback from certain critics, evidenced by its current 76% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Is Brad Pitt Now Collaborating With Tom Holland?
Following the rapid spread of the brief clip on Instagram, enthusiasts promptly engaged in conjecture about Tom Holland’s cryptic hint. A prevailing theory among fans suggests that Holland might be set to feature in the upcoming Formula 1 racing movie starring Brad Pitt. The film is helmed by Joseph Kosinski, known for directing Top Gun Maverick (2022).
It’s a welcome sight to witness Holland taking a clever approach by withholding information that’s evidently meant to be kept confidential. However, the motivation behind his decision to withhold details after initiating the discussion is captivating. This choice fuels public curiosity and invites fans to engage in speculation.
Fury can be streamed on AMC.
Source: Indie Wire
