Director Terry Gilliam’s “12 Monkeys” has truly become one of the classic mainstream sci-fi films of the ’90s. Yes, it was very successful in its day, but plenty of box office hits disappear into the background after they leave theaters. This is a film that has endured, in no small part because it played a special part in the careers of its stars. For Bruce Willis, it was a way for the actor to flex his muscles outside of action movies like “Die Hard.” For Brad Pitt, it helped ensure that he wasn’t going to be typecast as the classically handsome guy for the rest of his life. And he’s certainly well disguised in this movie, utilizing a look he, in part, cooked up himself.
The Hollywood Reporter spoke with the cast and crew of “12 Monkeys” in honor of its 25th anniversary in early 2021. Pitt’s character, Jeffrey Goynes, has a very unique look, with the actor portraying a mental patient who may hold the key to humanity’s salvation. While Pitt has his frustrations with his acting in the film, he was committed to bringing the character to life and the look was a big part of that. Gilliam explained that Pitt was personally responsible for the character’s distinctive eye:
“He came up with the funny eye in Goynes’ character. He’s wearing a contact lens that shows his eye out the wrong way, because he was really working hard to get away from being a pretty face and be something interesting. It was good to see. I just love when you see people pushing their own limits. […] Both [Pitt and Willis] wanted to prove something about themselves. It was great to watch them both become what they needed to become. It also scared the s*** out of me. Because I wasn’t sure it was going to work.”
Category: Twelve Monkeys
Terry Gilliam Talks Brad Pitt’s Performance in ’12 Monkeys’
U.S. writer-director Terry Gilliam had the crowd in stitches throughout his masterclass at the Lumière Film Festival, where he presented the restored version of his 1995 cult movie “12 Monkeys.”
On the making of “12 Monkeys” and its lead actors’ remarkable performances, Gilliam explained that part of the film’s success was down to the fact that he gave Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt roles that were totally different to what they were used to playing, casting Willis as the introvert prisoner James Cole, and Pitt as psychotic mental patient Jeffrey Goines.
“Brad worked incredibly hard to prepare for the role – he went to psychiatric wards, visited mental hospitals… and the first day of the shoot, he exploded on the set! It was breathtaking how funny he was, how strange, how psychotic, it was incredible! So, in the end, Bruce did one of the best performances of his life, and so did Brad,” said Gilliam.
“12 Monkeys” was restored in 4K by Arrow Films and NBC Universal under the supervision of Gilliam and is scheduled for DVD and theatrical release by Paris-based distributor L’Atelier d’images on Nov. 8.
The Lumière Film Festival runs in Lyon through Oct. 22.
Brad Pitt slams his most famous film roles
The film star has criticised some of his most well-known film roles
He may be one of Hollywood’s most respected male stars but Brad Pitt has delivered a damning verdict of some of his most famous film roles.
Pitt, who was in Glasgow last summer filming Zombie flick World War Z, has laid into some of his much loved performances, saying he “flatlined” and “flunked”.
Speaking of his Oscar nominated role in Twelve Monkeys, Pitt said: “I think I was forced on Terry (Gilliam). I got the first half dead-on but I flunked the second.”
In an interview with a newspaper, he was even more scathing of his starring role in the 1998 film Meet Joe Black, saying: “I flatlined in that one.”
Pitt said he felt “miscast” in the Hollywood epic Interview with the Vampire, in which he starred alongside Tom Cruise and Christian Slater.
And on one of his first lead roles as a cowboy in Ridley Scott’s Thelma and Louise, he said: “That was the first time I was let into the show. I remember thinking, ‘oh that’s how I come off.’ I felt I could have had more weight.
Even though he spoke negatively about some of his most famous film roles, Pitt refused to say a bad word about the critically-panned 2005 release Mr and Mrs Jones, where he met his future partner, Angelina Jolie.
He said: “That was a monumental change for more reasons than one, six plus one, to be exact. I think the film has merit too. It’s really good fun,” he said.
BP Gallery Update
• x07 Troy – On set thanks also Marie Do.
• x02 Se7en – Sorel Photography thanks Gabriella & Peter Sorel.
• x11 The Mexican – On set.
• x14 Twelve Monkeys – Scans.
