Directed by Richard Stanley (Hardware) and based on an H.P. Lovecraft short story, Color Out of Space centers on a family (Nicolas Cage, Joely Richardson, Madeleine Arthur, Brendan Meyer, Julian Hilliard) that is forever altered after a meteorite crashes in front of their home. Madeleine Arthur chatted with us about working with Stanley and Cage, shooting the film in Portugal, and her goal of one day acting in a foreign film (she’s fluent in French).
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Color Out of Space is gaining its share of traction as Richard Stanley fans are excited to finally see a new narrative from the director. As documented in Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanley’s Island of Dr. Moreau, Stanley’s road back to feature filmmaking had its share of challenges. Nicolas Cage delivers the refreshingly signature “Cage” performance (aka man who slowly becomes unhinged by the suffocating circumstances that surround him), so simply based on Stanley and Cage (and of course Lovecraft), Color Out of Space is definitely worth a watch.
Madeleine Arthur’s performance as Lavinia Gardner is also a standout. Believing in a mystical world outside this real, Lavinia’s relationship to the meteorite’s power becomes an important element in the story. If you want a spoiler discussion with Arthur discussing Lavinia’s journey towards the end of Color Out of Space, it’s available for our CinemAddicts Patreon members (https://www.patreon.com/cinemaddicts).
That said, here’s our Q&A with Color Out of Space actress Madeleine Arthur:
Did you know about Richard Stanley’s work before taking on Color Out of Space?
I wasn’t super familiar with his work prior to making the movie but now I’m one of the biggest Richard Stanley fans. It’s such a pleasure and an honor to be a part of his feature film in years. Fans of Richard’s work will see some of his signature elements in Color Out of Space. I’m really excited for everyone to see those moments.
What was it like working with Nicolas Cage, especially during the movie’s more intense moments?
He’s so committed that you feel so alive as an actor working opposite him and you’re taken along for that ride as you work together. I honestly had the best time doing some of those emotionally traumatizing scenes with him because he’s just such a force.
Can you discuss shooting in Portugal (the location doubled for Massachusetts) and how was it working in that environment.
Shooting there was nothing short of magical, and I’m not exaggerating at all. It was truly the most beautiful place to film. We filmed in this place called Sintra which is called the Fountain of the Moon. It already had a very mystical quality to it. It was in this exact location of where we filmed where we had this view of the moon when the weather allowed. One night there were rings that formed that were around the moon so it felt like we ourselves were witnessing this cosmic light display in the sky.
And it kind of mirrors what it looks like when the meteorite descends onto the Gardners’ front yard. It was terrific.
Working with such actors as Joan Allen (The Family) and Nicolas Cage, as well as taking part in overwhelmingly successful projects (To All The Boys I’ve Learned Before) must have made the past several years a memorable one.
On an acting and learning point, I learned so much from everyone that I’ve worked with in front of and behind the camera. As you say, working with Joan who I respect so much as an actress and as an individual, and then going to something like To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before where it’s more comedic and you’re working with people your own age and you’re learning from them, and then landing here on Color Out of Space, I am very grateful to have been a part of every single one of those projects as far as (working with) every single person involved. I feel a lot of gratitude.
Right from the top of your head, can you name one of your favorite films?
Oh my gosh! I have a collection of favorites, it’s so hard to name one. The first one that always comes to my mind, well based on the performances, it’s La Vie En Rose. I’m a huge Marion Cotillard fan and I find her performance in that to be absolutely stunning. I’ll say La Vie En Rose.
Would you ever want to do a foreign film since you are fluent in French? Also do people often say you resemble Marion Cotillard?
(laughs) I do and I’m always extremely flattered. I think she is such a wonderful actress and one of my dreams is to do a French film one day. I hope that it happens sooner than later. It would be such a joy.
What other projects do you have down the pike that you can tell us about?
I’m really excited – I have a romantic comedy coming out February 12 – To All The Boys: PS I Still Love You. We have the third movie as well. I have an art piece called “Enclosure” coming out which will be at the Park Avenue Armory which I am really proud to be a part of, as well as Snowpiercer which is going to be really cool
Thank you so much for your time and good luck on all of your endeavors.
Thank you for taking the time and enjoy the rest of your day!
****Color Out of Space hits theaters January 24.
Lastly, if you want to hear both our 1:1 audio with Madeleine Arthur and her discussion of the movie’s ending, it’s available for our CinemAddicts Patreon members.
