Summary
Real-life coupleAlison BrieandDave Francoare no strangers to collaborating on and off-screen.
you might watch the full interview in the video above, or you might read the transcript below.
COLLIDER: Is Sundance like a second home for you two?
Image by Photagonist
Do you have a condo up the street?
I’ve been living a Groundhog Day where I’m going to the same studio every day.
I mean, this is my second time seeing you in, like, 13 hours.
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But she’s been to Sundance seven times.
ALISON BRIE: This is my seventh.
But it’s always new and exciting.
It always feels different.
It’s been over a decade, so it’s probably been 15 years of coming here.
It’s such a coup just to be here, and we love this movie so much.
Image via Lionsgate
Speaking of your movie,Together, no one watching this will have seen it yet.
Who wants to bite the bullet and say how they’ve been describing it to friends and family?
FRANCO: Weve got a codependent couple, not unlike ourselves.
They’re going through some issues.
BRIE: Some issues they can’t escape.
FRANCO: And it just goes full bonkers, body horror mania.
Image by Jefferson Chacon
You clearly love each other.
I’m not trying to get personal…
FRANCO: Get very personal.
BRIE: This was great timing, I think, to do this project.
Custom Image by Tania Hussain
We’ve been together over a decade, so has this couple in the movie.
We’re very selective about projects that we will act in together.
The script is so good.
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Thematically, all the set pieces in the movie are really tied into this exploration of intimacy and codependency.
When do the joys of intimacy shift into the fears of codependency?
How much do you lose your identity within a relationship?
So, it felt like the right piece for us.
And at this point, we just know each other so well.
We can just have fun together on set.
It got to be really fun without any of the nervousness that might go into something like that otherwise.
BRIE: Every day.
FRANCO: It would have been too weird.
You just can’t get to that level of comfortability with someone that you just met.
BRIE: Also, it’s a 21-day shoot.
This movie was so ambitious for such a short amount of time.
We were thinking about how much time would be added just by trying to be polite and respectful.
Not that we’re not respectful with one another, but you know what I mean.
The amount of time it might take.
Let’s go!"
Obviously, you are a couple.
What is it like doing sex scenes in a movie?
Do you want an intimacy coordinator?
BRIE: Its hyperrealistic.
BRIE: Well, this movie, it’s so specific.
I wouldn’t say its aromanticsex scene.
FRANCO: It’s not an erotic thriller.
These sex scenes are not playing out for, like, six minutes with drapes blowing in the wind.
BRIE:Disaster Artist-style.
Also, there’s so much else at play in the intimate scenes in this movie.
So, it was a real joke about hyperrealism.
We’re not trying to channel that.
I think we’re thinking about other things.
What does that mean?
BRIE:X-Men 2.
FRANCO: He does likeX-Mena lot.
No, he’s truly a film nerd in thegreatestsense.
BRIE: It made for a really fun vibe on set.
He is a bit of a jack-of-all-trades behind the scenes.
Here are the tools to do it."
And I mean, in this film, we had an amazing VFX team.
I was actually going to ask about that if he had been here.
BRIE: It’s the only way we could make this movie.
Part of that sell was Michael Shanks saying, “It is possible.
I will not sleep.
I will do it myself.”
FRANCO: He was like, “I can’t cut any of these shots.
I will do all the work, I promise you guys.”
And it made everyone nervous, but at the end of the day, he pulled through.
BRIE: He did it.
FRANCO: Literally every day for both of those.
Let’s look at it.
FRANCO: Once this movie gets going, it’s so relentless and it doesn’t stop.
You’re there the whole movie.
Both of us just go home, maybe watch 12 minutes of a show, put ourselves to sleep.
We’re not drinking.
On the weekend, we’re like, “Shall we have one beer?”
Then we cheers the beer, and then we’re like, “What a Saturday night.”
Then we’d look over our script and go to sleep.
So it was fun, and it was nice to be living with your co-star.
We got to utilize every second of the day.
On the weekend, we could be running lines.
No time was wasted, so we could always be prepared and ready to go.
FRANCO: And we had to because this shoot was so ambitious for a 21-day shoot.
The real-life couple have never been better.
So you’re going to shoot on Monday.
Was it when you first got to Australia?
Was it before you left?
How did that work?
We had just been living with the script for so long that it was kind of in us already.
BRIE: I don’t think we were there five weeks early.
FRANCO: I think we were there five weeks early.
Is this going to be the fight of the interview?
BRIE:Can I speak to you for a second?
FRANCO: I think this is the fight that could tear us apart.
Yeah, I feel like this is totally worth ruining the relationship over.
Originally, the film was set there, as well.
Like, how often do you say your partner’s name?
This is something we always think is funny.
Like, “David.”
Hey, babe?"
Did you actually edit that so that in the movie, you’re not saying each other’s names?
FRANCO: Yeah, definitely.
A lot of “babes.”
BRIE: There’s a lot of babes.
He is also a very talented actor.
BRIE: Oh my god.
He’s been at our Sundance studio in the past.
He’s very good.
BRIE: He’s a real chameleon.
He pops up in stuff all the time now where we’re just like, “Ah!
It’s Damon!”
Yes, 100%.
I believe he played Charlie Manson…
FRANCO: Twice.
BRIE: Both times, excellent.
I’m assuming you guys were very involved in the edit as producers.
How did the film possibly change in the editing room in ways you guys didn’t expect?
BRIE: We expected it all the ways.
That stuff came together so beautifully.
“Is this scare of working?”
And being delighted to see the way it came together.
BRIE: For me, it has to beGlow.
I love that show, and I just feel so proud of the work thateverybodydid on that show.
Like comedy, check; drama, check; super physical work, check.
We essentially got to play two different characters.
I got to play Ruth Wilder, and I got to play Zoya in the ring.
FRANCO: I’m going to give you a curveball.
Let me have it.
FRANCO: Is it crazy to sayTogether?
How quickly can you let go?
[Laughs] We let go, baby.
So, that lingers for a while.
BRIE: And then he’s like, “Take a picture of it.”
We did a collage of all of Dave’s bruises from this.
BRIE: Because it was so great?
FRANCO: Not because it was terrible.
It could be anything.
FRANCO: Well, that’s kind of throwing yourself under the bus.
BRIE: I did bad work on this one day.
Go back and watch the scene.
I’m just going to sayGlowagain because we were meant to make a fourth season of the show.
I wanted that fourth season.
BRIE: We shot the first one and a half episodes.
I shot this huge wrestling sequence with real pro wrestlers.
It was a tag team match.
It was so fun.
That will never see the light of day.
I just would love to spend one more day with all my gals.
I really was sad when that did not continue going.
Obviously, not as much as you, but as a fan.
BRIE: I feel like it was the same.
I think it was the same amount.
We’re still makingNow You See Memovies, so I will take that off the list.
If we could do anotherNeighbors, I just have so much fun with that group.
We’ve known each other for a long time, and they just make it easy.
Speaking of theNow You See Memovies, you recently filmed the third, correct?
FRANCO: Crazier in what way?
It’s a huge cast.
FRANCO:Go on.
It’s all you.
People don’t want to hear me talk.
They want you to talk.
FRANCO: I think it’s been announced who’s involved, right?
BRIE: Who else do you think is involved?
The heist film releases next year.
I don’t remember!
FRANCO: I think it’s out thereRosamund Pike.
Like I said, I just have such a good time with this cast.
I don’t think there are any sets that I laugh on more.
We’ve known each other for almost 15 years, and I just adore all of them.
She kind of has the same thing with herCommunitycrew.
I don’t know what’s been announced with the plot.
What do you want to tease about the story?
FRANCO: You know how these movies are.
I barely know whats happening.
BRIE: There’s some magic.
So you’re saying that something happens, there’s magic.
FRANCO: Yeah, yeah, yeah, there’s magic in this one.
Did you learn any new skill set for this?
I mean, with my character, it’s always been more about hand dexterity stuff.
I’ve always been the guy who throws cards.
But now, I find different ways to throw cards.
But it’s actually very impressive.
I put a lot of work into it.
Listen, I’m a fan of the movies because they’re just fun.
You’re not overthinking things.
BRIE: I love them.
FRANCO: Theyre a great time.
And I truly think audiences can feel the love that we have for each other.
This is a film that has been in development for, like, 29 years.
It’s finally being made, and you are playing Evil-Lyn.
BRIE: I’m so excited about it!
I wanted to put that out there.
I was like, Isn’t there a villain’s assistant that people need?
So, I’m so excited.
When do you start?
BRIE: Filming is about to start.
Everyone’s in pre-production now.
I was just out in London lifting some weights with [Hafor] Julius Bjornsson.
FRANCO: Do you know who Hafor is?
Tell him about Hafor.
BRIE: You don’t know who Hafor is?!
I don’t know who Hafor is.
BRIE: A professional weightlifter.
One of the strongest men in the world.
He was onGame of Thrones.
His real name is Hafor.
You’re talking about The Mountain.
Is his name The Mountain?
BRIE: No, hisHafor.
[Laughs]
I can’t believe his name is actually Hafor.
BRIE: Yeah, it is.
He and I lifted weights together, and we’re getting yoked.
FRANCO: It was so funny.
I was at home, and I was lifting weights.
We have a very small kind of gym space, and I was feeling pretty good.
I was like, Oh, I’m in a rhythm.
I just worked out with the strongest man on Earth.
I think he’s in the Guinness Book of World Records.
I feel like proportionate to our sizes and what we were doing…
BRIE: And I agree.
Are you allowed to say anything?
BRIE: I’m not saying adamn thing.
You eat your heart out.
You better just wait until this movie comes out to lay eyes on it all.
Is it actually going to happen?
BRIE: I don’t know.
Obviously, everybody’s schedules are tricky, and maybe that’s the main thing.
But I maintain an optimism.
I’m always hearing, Checking of avails.
So that’s always a good thing.
We’re checking new avails for later in the year.
So, there’s the willingness.
So, your guess is as good as mine.
You guys have written together in the past, and you have obviously directed.
Are you thinking about directing again?
Are you guys writing anything together?
BRIE: We’re thinking about it.
FRANCO: I wrote my first script on my own, and it’s kind of a thriller.
Can you tease a title, or you don’t want to say?
FRANCO: Can’t do that quite yet.
BRIE: No, don’t tease a title.
FRANCO: But I’m very excited about it.
She’s so funny.
She’s so smart.
She has stuff in development with Adam McKay.
I don’t know.
We’re just in a groove with this horror-comedy.
I don’t know where it’s going to go, but it’s wild.
And we have another idea that we’ve been talking about, just stating.
It’s a lot.
We’re very genre-forward these days.
Our minds are very focused on horror and thrillers.
FRANCO: Do you like horror movies?
I do like horror movies.
But the truth is, Perri, who is right there…
FRANCO: Oh, we know Perri.
We know and love Perri.
BRIE: We know Perri.
Perri is a horror fanatic.
FRANCO: I know that.
It’s making me emotional, truly, bringing it up right now, and thats embarrassing.
I remember you being very, very kind.
FRANCO: Someone get me something!
BRIE: IsntThe Rentalgreat?The Rentalwas so great.
Oh my god, Dave is the best director, and he’s a phenomenal writer.
I’m very excited for his next project.
I have to wrap with you, but just one last thing.
What can you say about these things?
BRIE: I just shotThe Revisionist, writer-director Alex Vlacks first feature.
Andre Holland, who’s here at the festival, costars Dustin Hoffman and Tom Sturridge.
That was a fantastic shoot.
The movie is super cerebral.
It was really gratifying.
It was another just low-budget passion project for everybody.
The dialogue is so great.
It almost felt like doing a play.
It was really fun.
These actors were such good actors.
I felt a new freedom I hadn’t felt before.
I’ve never done a straight drama that’s kind of this romantic thing, too.
I’m so thankful you came in today, and have a fantastic Sundance.
you could go hug Perri after this thing is over.
FRANCO: Perri, am I correct in this story?
BRIE: Get a room, you guys.
FRANCO: It would be so embarrassing if she was like, “That wasn’t me.”
I know it was Perri.
Horror and Perri are best friends.
FRANCO: We love you, too, truly.
You’ve always been so kind to us.
BRIE: Yes, thank you!
