IsElijah Wood(The Lord of the Rings, Everything is Illuminated) one of the best costars an actor can ask for?Michael Smileythinks so. Smiley, currently starring in Season 2 ofBad Sisters,plays the antagonist in the Elijah Wood-led father/daughterNew Zealand adventure film,Bookworm. In a recent MovieWeb interview, Smiley praised Wood, with whom he also worked in the horror romp,Come to Daddy.Both films were directed by Ant Timpson.
“He’s a great example of what it is to be a man,” Smiley beamed about Wood, who plays a fallen magician in the film and a man hoping to reconnect with his estranged daughter, Mildred (Nell Fisher). When asked about how Wood is on set and his “acting process,” Smiley added: “I wouldn’t be arrogant enough to tell you what I think his process is,because it’s his process. But what I know of him from working with him is that he’s so generous. What you see is what you get. He’s incredibly talented, but he’s also very generous and supportive." He continued:
“So, if you’re No. 1 on the call sheet and you’re bringing kindness every day to set, it bleeds out. If you’re turning up frustrated, angry, full of arrogance and narcissistic, that bleeds into the rest of the cast and crew as well, because you put them ill at ease. But if you’re bringing kindness and enjoying the adventure that is dressing up and pretending… it’s an even better day.He brings such a beautiful vibe to the film set.”
Elijah Wood on Making Bookworm with His Family in New Zealand & Discusses The Monkey
Elijah Wood shares his experiences in New Zealand making his new family epic Bookworm and how he’s passing down The Lord of the Rings to his kids.
Unpacking the Quirkiness of the New Zealand-Set Adventure Film
Bookwormchronicles thefather and daughter’s misadventurethrough the New Zealand wilderness. When her mom falls ill, young brainiac Mildred lures her long-lost father on an adventure to find a precious black panther. Smiley’s character, Arnold, is one of two antagonists in the film, creating challenges for the duo. Smiley explained:
“Elijah’s character has a very interesting backstory, like being a conjurer in Las Vegas coming to New Zealand to connect with a daughter that he doesn’t really know andends up in the countryside, inappropriately dressed and everything, which is, you know, quite humorous to watch. I’ve been in situations where I’ve been wearing the wrong clothes in the wrong place many times.”
Related:Life with Simon Pegg & Nick Frost Was Like a Frat House Says Michael Smiley
Thegood-for-the-entire-familycomedy adventure also stars Morgana O’Reilly, Nikki Si’ulepa, and Vanessa Stacey. As heartwarming as it is strikingly scenic, expect to be whisked away in a tale about courage and family bonding.In the meantime, look for Michael Smiley returning to his role of Roger Muldoon in the twisty second season of the hit dark comedy,Bad Sisters,currently streaming on Apple TV+.
An estranged magician and his bookish daughter embark on a camping trip in the New Zealand wilderness. Amidst a family crisis, their quest to find the mythical Canterbury Panther becomes a transformative journey, testing their bond and challenging their perceptions of reality and each other.
