Darren Aronofsky Says ‘I Hate Method Actors’ After Filming New Austin Butler Movie

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Directer Darren Aronofsky has expressed his dislike for “method actors” in a somewhat ironic commentary, stating that he finds it challenging to collaborate with this type of performer.

What did Darren Aronofsky say about method actors?

Over the past weekend, during a workshop in Paris (as reported by Variety), the filmmaker behind Black Swan expressed his dislike for physical training or exercises.

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t stand when players get too method-acting during our gaming sessions. It’s not about immersion or authenticity for me; it’s all about commitment to the game and playing fairly. When someone insists on role-playing every little detail, it feels like they’re using it as a shield to avoid playing professionally, rather than focusing on the fun and competition at hand.

Interestingly, it was just recently that Darren Aronofsky collaborated with Austin Butler on the upcoming movie “Caught Stealing.” Butler has a reputation for being an immersive actor, often maintaining his character long after filming has wrapped up. Intriguingly, despite this, Aronofsky expressed his dislike for method acting, emphasizing that it’s all about “pretending.

Go ahead and put in a lot of effort with research and practice, but remember that acting is mostly pretending,” Aronofsky explained. “If you’re preparing for an intense scene, it’s okay to maintain solitude, concentration, and readiness during breaks to preserve the emotion. Think of it like a sport or game – being a fantastic basketball player doesn’t mean dribbling at all times. You study, prepare, and get ready. The ‘fake reality’ between action and cut is where your performance happens.

In his speech, director Aronofsky didn’t explicitly call out Butler by name, but he did clarify and soften his previous statements. Later in his discussion, he expressed that he is okay with actors fully immersing themselves in their roles (the “method” acting approach), as long as it doesn’t significantly impact the overall production process.

Aronofsky stated, ‘If that’s their preference on how they choose to spend their time, it’s alright with me.’ However, he does suggest they take some time for relaxation.

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2025-04-09 23:40