Ella McCay Director Sizes Up His Film’s Stars
Renowned filmmaker James L. Brooks (Broadcast News) has completed his latest movie, Ella McCay, and has given commentary on the film’s talented central cast members.
Emma Mackey plays the lead role in Ella McCay (due out in theaters December 12th) and the film’s director, James L. Brooks, commented on the actress who is one of the most in-demand young actresses working today. Brooks states, “There’s a radiance to her.” That quality must have manifested itself in the audition process for Mackey’s role as a new governor in what is bound to become the feel-good movie this holiday season. While early mini-reviews seem mixed thus far, the director is known for his quality pictures that usually serve as holiday crowd-pleasers (see: As Good at It Gets). Brooks didn’t hold back when it came to describing the other quality cast members of the new dramedy.
Brooks calls Mackey’s central co-star, Jamie Lee Curtis (who plays Aunt Helen), “a spectacular human” and spoke of her “humanism” while determining that she is “one of the best people” he’s ever known. Woody Harrelson plays Ella’s dad, Eddie, and Brooks deemed Harrelson “an old friend.” He was “one of the first” cast members that Brooks sought out and deemed working with him “a joy.” Another entertainer with the “Brooks” last name, Albert Brooks (Broadcast News, The Muse), co-stars in Ella McCay and James L. Brooks thinks he’s “a terrific actor.” Albert plays the outgoing governor in the film, Bill, and James thinks “he’s one of the funniest people on the planet.”
James calls the young actor, Spike Fearn (who plays Casey McCay in the film), “a natural” and believes, “He’s remarkably talented.” Ayo Edebiri plays Casey’s girlfriend, Susan, in the movie and James L. Brooks cites how she comes from an improvisation background. Director Brooks summed her up as “great.” Julie Kavner (AKA the voice of Marge Simpson) portrays Ella’s assistant and she’s likely to be the film’s funniest scene-stealer. Filmmaker Brooks knew her since she was a teenager and believes she’s “a comic force.” Jack Lowden serves as Ella’s husband and James believes he’s a “director’s dream.” James also stated, “He’s got the spirit.”
Kumail Nanjiani plays Trooper Nash. Nanjiani was so very good in The Big Sick. James believes he had some “tough stuff” to do in the new film and because of his stand-up background, James thinks the actor “nails it [the performance].” Finally, Rebecca Hall as Ella’s mom, is also one of the popular actresses featured in the film. James called her “royalty,” which she is. Hall’s dad is the director of the National Theatre in England, according to James L. Brooks. Brooks went on to cite Hall as “soulful” and he said, “she makes a strong impression.”
Whose work are you most excited to see in Ella McCay and do you think the film will top critics’ marks with excellent audience critiques and succeed at the box-office? All we know is Jamie Lee Curtis can do no wrong. The rest of the film’s cast will be the icing on the cake.
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