BackstageOL’s Dave Morales sat down with The Age of Adaline’s director Lee Toland Krieger to talk about an array of topics from the beauty of growing old to working with Star War’s Harrison Ford.
In the interview, Morales asks Krieger how he begins to direct a legendary actor, such as Ford, in which he explains, “I was admittedly a bit nervous because I grew up idolizing him. He’s a hero to a lot of people who grew up in the 80s, like I did.”
Krieger, who is known for The Vicious Kind and Celeste & Jesse Forever, continued illustrating that, while it was nerve-racking to work with a distinguished actor, it was surprisingly quite easy. “Harrison is an incredibly warm guy who has been doing this so long,” the filmmaker continues.
“He understands the benefit of leaning on a director or going to a director and saying, ‘You’re watching the whole thing, I’m just involved in my little moment.’”
Ford signed on to be a part of the timeless drama as a supporting role because he was fond of the script. He managed to slip it into his busy schedule before shooting the upcoming Star Wars installment, The Force Awakens, which is due out December 18th, 2015.
Needless to say, Krieger states that working with Ford wasn’t difficult because he was very easy-going and understood the value of their relationship as director and actor.
“Harrison was so warm, and invited me, as the director, and really wanted to work on it together, which was among the biggest honors of my life to be able to work with him on this.”
Below is the film’s official synopsis:
After miraculously remaining 29 years old for almost eight decades, Adaline Bowman (Blake Lively) has lived a solitary existence, never allowing herself to get close to anyone who might reveal her secret. But a chance encounter with charismatic philanthropist Ellis Jones (Michiel Huisman) reignites her passion for life and romance. When a weekend with his parents (Harrison Ford and Kathy Baker) threatens to uncover the truth, Adaline makes a decision that will change her life forever.
The Age of Adaline hits theaters this weekend. Check out the full interview with director Lee Toland Krieger below to find out if he was able to get any Star Wars secrets!
