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Skarsgård on Williams: 'He Had to Produce Jokes'
14 Feb
Summary
- Williams had a constant need to express jokes immediately.
- He would shift energy with more people present.
- His performance offered varied emotional tones.
Stellan Skarsgård recently reflected on his experiences filming the 1997 drama "Good Will Hunting" alongside the late Robin Williams. At a screening event in Los Angeles, Skarsgård described Williams as calm and pleasant in private, but noted a transformation occurred when others were present.
Skarsgård explained that Williams seemed to feel an urgent need to express humor immediately, likening it to a survival tactic from his school years. Director Gus Van Sant added that Williams often requested extra takes, exploring different emotional deliveries for nearly every scene.
This approach led to incredibly diverse performances, with Skarsgård appreciating the range from darkly dramatic to comedic. He acknowledged the skill of Van Sant and the editors in balancing these varied takes into the final film, avoiding a purely farcical or depressive tone for the character.
Skarsgård also admitted to not understanding the complex mathematical concepts his character, Gerald Lambeau, dealt with, relying on mathematician John Mighton for coaching and assistance.
