Anne Hathaway has discussed the challenges during the production of Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar, which Matt Damon struggled with too.
Anne Hathaway revealed that the production of Interstellar was plagued by discomfort for her and Matt Damon. Christopher Nolan’s 2014 film, set in a dystopian future where Earth is becoming uninhabitable, follows a group of astronauts traveling through a wormhole in search of a new home for humanity. Its intricate plot, combined with stunning visual effects and a deeply emotional narrative, has made Interstellar a standout in the science fiction genre. The film’s exploration of complex scientific theories like black holes and the fifth dimension, presented through the lens of human experience and survival, has made it a sci-fi classic.
In the scientifically accurate Interstellar, Anne Hathaway and Matt Damon play particularly crucial roles. Hathaway portrays Dr. Amelia Brand, a determined and compassionate scientist who is part of the Endurance crew. Her character’s emotional journey and scientific expertise are central to Interstellar‘s plot. On the other hand, Matt Damon appears in a pivotal cameo as Dr. Mann, a character who is lost in space and whose own interests negatively impact the Endurance crew. Their performances contribute to the film’s exploration of human resilience and moral dilemmas in extreme circumstances, but the two actors had to overcome serious discomfort on set.
Anne Hathaway & Matt Damon Both Complained Their Costumes Were Uncomfortable
Both Anne Hathaway and Matt Damon faced challenges while filming Interstellar, particularly with their costumes. In an interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Hathaway shared her experience with the spacesuits used in the film. Hathaway described them as the “worst costume” she’s ever worn, highlighting the physical challenges of filming in rugged conditions like Interstellar‘s Iceland shoot, running through water, and climbing glaciers. What is particularly noteworthy is Hathaway’s initial reluctance to voice her discomfort, stemming from a concern of being the only woman in the crew and not wanting to be perceived as weak. Below is Hathaway’s full comment:
The worst costume I’ve ever had was on Interstellar. Oh, those spacesuits were, they were hard. And you know we were in pretty rugged conditions. We were in Iceland, we were running through water. We were, you know, climbing glaciers. And maybe I put too much pressure on myself, but I was the only girl on the crew who was wearing one. So, I just thought, ‘I can’t complain about this.’ It can’t be me that breaks.’ Then, your buddy Matt Damon came in and started his first day. And about two hours into it, he just pitched forward and went, ‘This is the worst f**king costume I’ve ever worn.’ And it was OK, because once Matt Damon said it then the rest of us could complain.
This situation underscores the often unspoken double standard in Hollywood, where women may feel pressured to endure discomfort silently, fearing professional repercussions or stereotypes. However, the dynamic changed when Matt Damon joined the filming later, openly expressing his discomfort with the spacesuit. Hathaway expressed a sense of relief and gratitude that Damon’s candidness allowed the rest of the crew to voice their struggles. This incident highlights the different standards and perceptions faced by men and women in the industry, where a man’s complaint can be seen as straightforward, while a woman’s might be perceived as a sign of weakness.
How Hathaway “Floated In Space” In Interstellar
Playing Dr. Amelia Brand in Interstellar required not just emotional depth but also physical ingenuity, particularly in scenes depicting zero gravity. On The Graham Norton Show, Anne Hathaway shared an amusing behind-the-scenes detail about how the cast mimed floating in space. They adopted a Superman-like stance but kept one foot on the ground, a technique that demanded significant physical control and imagination. This method, while seemingly simple, was crucial in creating the illusion of floating in the vastness of space, proving that movie magic can rely more on actors’ ability to commit to the moment than sophisticated special effects.
Hathaway’s revelation about this filming technique in Interstellar offers a glimpse into the challenges and creativity involved in bringing such a high-concept film to life. It underscores the blend of physicality and imagination required from actors in science fiction films, where they often have to perform in abstract or physically demanding conditions to create a believable and immersive experience for the audience. This aspect of filmmaking celebrates the art of performance, where the actor’s skill in portraying the unreal convincingly is as crucial as the visual effects that bring these fantastical worlds to life.
