Boston Strangler Director Explains How Zodiac Influenced His True Crime Drama [Exclusive Interview]

You may have sneaked together the best cast of the year here. When you think back to your work with these actors, what are the highlights of your time on set with them?

Yes, I agree. I think the world of this casting, it was really a dream come true to work with such amazing actors and get to know each of them. They're all so talented and so different and they all bring such different things to the table. Keira, she's just an experienced pro. She's got incredible talent, but she's also done it a lot of her life and shows herself to be totally prepared for every moment. And Chris Cooper being kind of the older statesman than all of us, in front of and behind the camera, we all looked up to him. They're all very different, but I think everyone really enjoyed working together and respected each other, which was great.

Were there any actors in particular you met between takes while you were waiting for the lighting settings and asked them for stories about their previous experiences?

All that. Keira, I was pumping her for Joe Wright stories. With Carrie [Coon], I asked her what it was like to be on a Fincher set. And with Chris, it was just a lifetime of questions for him, from John Sayles to working with Bennett Miller.

Was there a specific scene that you thought was a beast to film that ended up being a lot easier than you thought? And then the other way around too: a scene that you thought was really easy, but ended up getting you in a lot of trouble?

My experience is that whenever there is a stunt, there is so much planning that it tends to go pretty well. And we weren't like blowing up buildings or anything in that movie, so it was all pretty straightforward. The hardest things to film were some of the unexpected things, like four people in an office. Given space, time, and coverage restrictions, these ended up being some of the most time-consuming. Four people in one room.

“Boston Strangler” arrives on Hulu on March 17, 2023.

Movies Mar 15, 2023 0 45 Add to Reading List

Boston Strangler Director Explains How Zodiac Influenced His True Crime Drama [Exclusive Interview]

You may have sneaked together the best cast of the year here. When you think back to your work with these actors, what are the highlights of your time on set with them?

Yes, I agree. I think the world of this casting, it was really a dream come true to work with such amazing actors and get to know each of them. They're all so talented and so different and they all bring such different things to the table. Keira, she's just an experienced pro. She's got incredible talent, but she's also done it a lot of her life and shows herself to be totally prepared for every moment. And Chris Cooper being kind of the older statesman than all of us, in front of and behind the camera, we all looked up to him. They're all very different, but I think everyone really enjoyed working together and respected each other, which was great.

Were there any actors in particular you met between takes while you were waiting for the lighting settings and asked them for stories about their previous experiences?

All that. Keira, I was pumping her for Joe Wright stories. With Carrie [Coon], I asked her what it was like to be on a Fincher set. And with Chris, it was just a lifetime of questions for him, from John Sayles to working with Bennett Miller.

Was there a specific scene that you thought was a beast to film that ended up being a lot easier than you thought? And then the other way around too: a scene that you thought was really easy, but ended up getting you in a lot of trouble?

My experience is that whenever there is a stunt, there is so much planning that it tends to go pretty well. And we weren't like blowing up buildings or anything in that movie, so it was all pretty straightforward. The hardest things to film were some of the unexpected things, like four people in an office. Given space, time, and coverage restrictions, these ended up being some of the most time-consuming. Four people in one room.

“Boston Strangler” arrives on Hulu on March 17, 2023.