'Reminiscence' star Hugh Jackman on what memories he would choose to revisit

The cast of Reminiscence talk about what made them want to be a part of the film, and what memories they would choose to relive if given the opportunity.

Video Transcript

- You're going on a journey, a journey through memory. All you have to do is follow my voice.

KEVIN POLOWY: Great work on this, sir. I much enjoyed it. It is such a cool blend of sci-fi, dystopia, and neo noir. I love seeing you get your Philip Marlowe on.

What would you say are the most important things you consider when choosing a film role these days? And how did "Reminiscence" deliver on those, besides scenes, of course, where Rebecca Ferguson sings beautifully?

HUGH JACKMAN: Beautifully said, Kevin. But director, director, director, scripts, scripts, scripts. So certainly for film, that's sort of what I'm really, really looking for. Working with someone who has something to say, has a confidence about them, is offering up stories that are different to what is out there, and a character for me that is challenging. There are the keys I'm looking for.

And for me, "Reminiscence" just felt unique almost from the get-go. I mean, I actually for the first 10 pages I thought, oh, I know what this movie is. And then the rest of the movie, I had no idea what was coming. So that, to me, is something that I love and I think audiences will love, too.

KEVIN POLOWY: What was the biggest draw for you when it came to joining "Reminiscence"? Like, what really hooked you?

THANDIWE NEWTON: Oh, my God. I mean, it happened so last minute. It was a few weeks before shooting started that I was part of it. And I was actually shooting "Westworld." So I had to jump from "Westworld" into New Orleans. I didn't even have a second to really acclimatize, which was the best thing ever because if I thought about it too much, I would have been terrified that I was going to let Lisa down.

I really, honestly-- it was more nerve-wracking working for Lisa. Once I started, it was fine. But just the idea of it because I have such respect for her. She deserves the very best of everything because of what she puts into everything.

I mean, it was still hardcore. Her first feature, and she managed to do what she-- I mean, you've seen the movie. Can you believe this? I mean, it's just gorgeous. The visuals, the stuff you've never seen before.

She's special. And it's exciting because this is just her first project. So there's so much more to come. And I really think that her perspective, and also a female perspective, is so valuable.

KEVIN POLOWY: The film opens with this incredible sprawling bird's eye pan shot of Miami, which in this dystopian near future has been submerged in water, skyscrapers are popping out of the ocean. Do you look at this story as a cautionary tale, be it when it comes to climate change or other ills that we're facing?

LISA JOY: I look at it as a reflection of reality. You know, back when I was writing the film, people were talking about climate change. But now, the set design we had for the film, the barricades that we built to show how people protected themselves from the water, Miami is really building those now. They have them. So it's-- it's no longer speculative fiction.

KEVIN POLOWY: Right.

LISA JOY: Now in terms of cautionary tale, I think that fiction and film is there to show the potential dangers of the future, but also the potential ways in which you can hope for it and prepare for the future. And so for me, I couldn't paint a portrait of the future of Miami without acknowledging the dangers of global warming.

But I think that by putting that in the forefront and just stating it s as a fact, hopefully it will help people accept that that is going to be the reality, and that is indeed the reality, and we need to start addressing it head on.

KEVIN POLOWY: You get access to a "Reminiscence" tank in real life, which can bring you back to any memory of your choosing.

REBECCA FERGUSON: Yes.

KEVIN POLOWY: What is the first moment from your own life or career you're going to go back to relive?

REBECCA FERGUSON: It's going to be the moment when I was driving the car with my mom in Sweden. Apple orchids-- I'm just painting a picture-- apple orchids, water, beautiful. And then I get a phone call saying that I've been given the role as the lead in "The White Queen." That was the sort of start of my career, I think, you know. It was a huge stepping stone out of Sweden and into the world.

HUGH JACKMAN: So for my life, it's family. I'm going back to falling in love with my wife, probably. I was going to say wedding day. But honestly, I'd probably go honeymoon over wedding day.

KEVIN POLOWY: Fair enough.

HUGH JACKMAN: You know, it's stressful. Wedding days are stressful. My wife and I had 220 people. We calculated that we spent 36 seconds with each person, if I saw everybody. So it was like being grabbed and pulled.

Kids being born, early-- that kind of stuff. Career-wise, there's so much of it I would love to relive because when you're in the middle of it, there are brief moments of you're aware that something great is happening. But a lot of the time, whether you're hosting the Oscars, or you're on set with Ian McKellen, or you're seeing "Les Mis" or whatever, there's a pressure to it. So to be able to go back and really just live it without all that, what if I never work again pressure, would be great.

- Your first kiss. Picture that moment.

- Charlie Mulvaney.

- OK. The way young Charlie approached.

KEVIN POLOWY: Let's talk about Hugh Jackman for a second because I mean, he never disappoints in being pretty much the nicest guy in Hollywood. It's all an act, though, right? I mean, it's got to be. It's got to be. Give us the real scoop.

REBECCA FERGUSON: I'm figuring it out, you know. I've got-- I've got a book of crap that he's doing. And I'm going to release it together with this film. It's called, Hugh Jackman-- I was going to say something really bad, but I'm not going to.

KEVIN POLOWY: Exposed?

REBECCA FERGUSON: I stopped myself.

He just is great. To be honest, I haven't worked with many idiots. I'm not saying that he is not amazing, but many great, kind actors who are civil are kind, great human beings. Do you know what I mean?

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