They’re tough and they’re always borderline boring," the actor tells EW.
Hugh Grant’s days as a conventional heartthrob are over.
He doesn’t miss them.
Hugh Grant in ‘Heretic’.Kimberley French/A24
“In that way, I think it’s edgy.
I’m proud of that.”
Reed offers the duo freshly-baked blueberry pie and welcomes a lively conversation about their faith.
Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, and Chloe East in ‘Heretic’.A24
A slow reveal is the key.
And in this case, really as slow as possible."
A24
Grant relishes his pivot to villainy.
Co-director Bryan Woods on the set of ‘Heretic’ with Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East.Kimberley French/A24
“Every actor really prefers it,” he says of playing baddies.
They’re tough and they’re always borderline boring.
They’re very difficult, nice people or heroes.
Sophie Thatcher, Chloe East, and co-director Scott Beck on the set of ‘Heretic’.Kimberley French/A24
And there always seems to be more juice in an evil character.
So it’s always tempting for an actor."
“Hugh was at the tip of our tongue very early in the process.
The directing duo was inspired byPaul Thomas Anderson’s subversion ofAdam Sandler’s usual image in 2002’sPunch-Drunk Love.
“We thought, ‘How can we ever get a piece of that?’
Once Grant came aboard, the directors were flabbergasted by the actor’s high level of commitment.
If he has a question about anything granular, we will have a discussion about that.
Why does he do that?'”
Grant’s detailed inquiries help him gain a complete understanding of the character.
“I jot those down and I create a vast kind of backstory and biography for the character.
I kind of know why he’s doing it.”
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Although religious films can sometimes inspire controversy, Grant remains unfazed by potential backlash.
“That’s how the world wags.
And I think I may be largely immune to it now.
The storms blow through.”
