Emily Blunt is a versatile actress who’s famous for starring in movies like Looper, The Girl on the Train, Jungle Cruise, Edge of Tomorrow, and more.
Blunt’s breakthrough came in 2006 with movies like Gideon’s Daughter and the comedy-drama film The Devil Wears Prada.
But her role as Kate Macer – an ambitious FBI Special Agent, was highly praised in Sicario (a 2015 American action thriller film about an FBI special task force dedicated to taking out drug lords in Mexico). During the filming of that movie, there was a time when Blunt couldn’t sleep for four days because of her co-star Jon Bernthal.
Emily Blunt Couldn’t Sleep For Four Days After Filming a Scene With Jon Bernthal
When asked about the scene in Sicario that kept Emily Blunt awake for four days, she pointed to a massive fight scene with Jon Bernthal. She said that Bernthal (who is a Boxer himself) was like:
“Just smack me. I’m fine. I’m not even gonna feel it.”
Blunt explained that it happened because of being overpowered by a stronger opponent that affected her. She had never experienced that before, but she appreciated not having a sort of cheesy action sequence where she easily defeats a stronger opponent. The scene’s impact was quite jarring which disrupted her sleep for several nights.
Bernthal played a legendary corrupt police officer (paid off by the cartels) in Sicario. Although he is in the movie only for a short period, his character is crucial to the story.
Emily Blunt Explains Denis Villeneuve’s Vibes Shooting Dark Scenes in Sicario
Emily Blunt has also explained the director, Denis Villeneuve’s attitude towards her. She said that he had a sort of shtick, and he used to say things like, [in a French accent]:
“I don’t know, I’m so fucked-up today, I have not had enough coffee, I don’t know what to do with this thing, madame, what do you think?”
This approach made actors on the set feel necessary as if the entire production depended upon them. Blunt further revealed that despite this, the director actually had a clear vision and knew what he wanted to achieve.
She further said that Villeneuve had the conviction to fight against something like that because women have proven themselves to be worthy of the box office. The actress then added:
People crunch numbers on everything these days, and I think they crunch numbers on an actor-driven film versus an actress-driven film.
Blunt emphasized the need to continue breaking down stereotypes and advocate equal opportunities in the movies.
Source: GQ
