Elizabeth Olsen, Jessica Lange Fete ‘In Secret’
The rainy weather didn’t dampen the spirits of the cast of Roadside Attractions and LD Entertainment’s romantic thriller “In Secret” as they gathered for the Los Angeles premiere on Feb. 6 at the ArcLight Hollywood.
Elizabeth Olsen, Tom Felton and Jessica Lange joined director Charlie Stratton in celebrating the period piece, based on Emile Zola’s novel “Thérèse Raquin,” which debuted at Toronto.
Stratton said he was a fan of the book even before there was talk of a movie and called this project “a dream come true.” He also discussed the cast and the opportune timing that allowed actors like “Inside Llewyn Davis” star Oscar Isaac to work on the indie film.
“It was wild because everybody was at a specific moment in their career,” Stratton explained. “Oscar had just wrapped the Coen brothers movie and a week later he was on our set… And then you have the whole thing anchored by Jessica Lange.”
Lange posed for photos but headed straight for the theater and did not talk to the press, and Isaac was away shooting a film in New York.
After over a decade of playing Draco Malfoy in the “Harry Potter” franchise, Felton, who plays the role of Camille, said he focuses on finding good roles rather than shedding his “Potter” image.
“We’re very proud of the whole ‘Harry Potter’ thing. I am in no way trying to shake it off,” Felton said. “Charlie (Stratton) was great, because…I don’t think he saw me too much as Draco.”
Felton, who walked the carpet with his girlfriend, also said the two weeks of rehearsals prior to filming helped him learn his character’s mannerisms, though the unbearable heat and elaborate costumes posed a challenge while shooting in Serbia and Hungary.
Olsen, on the other hand, didn’t seem to mind the corsets and heavy dresses she wore throughout filming as main character Thérèse.
“The corsets are kind of fun,” Olsen said. “The most uncomfortable thing is figuring out how to sit in between scenes.”
Olsen said working within the rigid structure and limitations of her character’s storyline –including her wardrobe – actually made it easier to get into character.
The actress also talked about her upcoming role as Scarlet Witch in “The Avengers: Age of Ultron.”
“I’m a big comic kid… I grew up on ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Lord of the Rings,’” Olsen said. “I spent time with the Marvel guys talking about how I love these kinds of movies and I think they seem super creative and super exciting, and Joss (Whedon) and I met and we figured it out.”
Before the screening began, Stratton took a moment to thank his cast and crew and said there was something “auspicious” about premiering the pic on a rainy night. On his way inside the theater, Felton resembled his Harry Potter character with his arms full of popcorn as he chuckled and asked ushers “Can I take two?”
Other celebs in attendance at the Forevermark-sponsored premiere included Sarah Paulson, “Pretty Little Liars” actor Ian Harding, Nico Tortorella of “The Following” and Jennifer Westfeldt.
After-party guests migrated to Aventine Hollywood where Lange caught up with Paulson, Westfeldt and Stratton at a private table and Felton mingled and chatted by the bar. Olsen, who bundled up in a trench coat for the party, cozied up to her boyfriend Boyd Holbrook and then joined her co-stars at Lange’s table.
“In Secret” bows on Feb. 21.
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