Director Chris Columbus teases an unusual experience directing Netflix’s The Thursday Murder Club, starring Pierce Brosnan as an ex-union activist who joins a club to solve murders. Netflix’s new murder mystery movie, produced by Steven Spielberg, features a rare reunion between the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone director and the James Bond actor, whose last collaboration dates back over three decades.
Adapted from Richard Osman’s bestselling Thursday Murder Club books, the upcoming movie adaptation has a stellar cast, featuring some of the most well-known British stars. Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie are set to join Brosnan as a rare group of retirees who come together to solve a murder case.
In an interview with Empire, Columbus recalled working with Brosnan on Mrs. Doubtfire and teased the dynamics between the four main characters, exclusively played by iconic actors. The filmmaker revealed that he was initially “intimidated” to work with the four legendary actors, but once the group was ᴀssembled, it was “magical.” Read his comments below:
It was the Mount Rushmore of the British Acting Giants. I was intimidated, but once we started working on the script, the four of them together was just magical. They were all really looking forward to working together in a really exciting, almost youthful way.
Pierce used this word for his character. I had no idea what it meant. And when I asked him, I was horrified. It was a word called “plonker”. When he explained it, I was stunned, but I lean into that greatly. I was blown away by his comedic timing on Mrs. Doubtfire. He could hold his own with Robin Williams. I’ve always wanted to do another comedy with Pierce.
What This Means For The Thursday Murder Club
The Thursday Murder Club Has Star Power And Humor
Columbus directed Brosnan in his 1993 comedy, Mrs. Doubtfire, which stars Robin Williams as Daniel, a recently divorced man who disguises himself as a female housekeeper to spend time with his children. Sally Field plays Daniel’s wife, Miranda, and Brosnan plays her handsome love interest, Stu.
The movie came before Pierce Brosnan’s big break as James Bond, while Williams had already established himself as a beloved and prominent actor. Columbus’ comments shed some light on how Brosnan’s unique take on the character changed Stu’s fate in the movie and impressed the filmmaker greatly.
Having directed some of the most iconic names in cinema history, Columbus’ comments about being intimidated by working with Mirren, Brosnan, Kingsley, and Imrie shouldn’t be taken lightly. On the other hand, it sounds like The Thursday Murder Club not only has the star power, but also brings out natural charisma from the four iconic actors.
Our Take On The Thursday Murder Club
The Thursday Murder Club Is Highly Anticipated
The Thursday Murder Club has ᴀssembled the best possible team for a murder mystery movie, with some of the biggest names in the industry and a best-selling book as its main source of inspiration. While in some cases a project full of A-listers might not pan out as well as hoped, Columbus’ comments offer reᴀssurance.
It seems that casting the four major stars has brought out the best collective energy. At the same time, the filmmaker’s comment also teases Brosnan’s comedic charm in the upcoming movie, even though The Thursday Murder Club isn’t a traditional comedy.
Source: Empire