Introduction to Russell Crowe’s Latest Role
Russell Crowe has addressed the possibility of receiving an Oscar nomination for his role as Hermann Göring in James Vanderbilt’s film, Nuremberg. During a master class discussion at the Zurich Film Festival, Crowe expressed his thoughts on the matter, stating, "I have one [Oscar], who needs two?" This statement was made in response to the festival director’s prediction that Crowe would receive an Oscar nomination for his performance in Nuremberg.
The Film Nuremberg
Nuremberg is a film that tells the true story of the Nuremberg trials that took place after World War II. The movie revolves around an American psychiatrist, Douglas Kelley, played by Remy Malek, who is tasked with determining whether the Nazi prisoners are fit to stand trial. Crowe plays the role of Hermann Göring, Hitler’s right-hand man, and engages in a complex battle of wits with Kelley.
Crowe’s Thoughts on the Oscars
Crowe, who previously won a Best Actor Oscar for his role in the 2000 film Gladiator, expressed his desire to avoid the "bullshit" that comes with the Oscars. He stated that his life is currently good, and he appreciates the work he does, but he doesn’t want to get caught up in the hype surrounding the awards. Crowe also mentioned that he prefers it when his films are rediscovered by audiences years after their release, citing the example of his film The Next Three Days, which gained popularity on Netflix 11 years after its release.
Crowe’s Experience Working on Nuremberg
Crowe spoke about his reasons for joining the cast of Nuremberg and the challenges he faced while working on the film. He stated that the script was well-balanced and provided a great insight into a moment in history, which immediately drew him in. Crowe also expressed his admiration for the film’s director, James Vanderbilt, who wrote, directed, and produced Nuremberg. He praised Vanderbilt’s writing credits, which include films like Zodiac, Independence Day: Resurgence, and Scream, as well as his work on the Netflix thriller franchise with Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston.
The Making of Nuremberg
Crowe revealed that he initially registered for the film in 2019, but the project faced financial difficulties, causing delays. It took five years for the film to come together, with Crowe waiting patiently for the opportunity to work on the project. He expressed his confidence in Vanderbilt’s direction and his fascination with the character of Göring. Crowe also admitted that playing the role of Göring was a challenging experience, but he felt that it was necessary to get into the character’s skin to do the role justice.
Balancing Göring’s Charisma and Monstrosity
When asked about how he balanced the charismatic and magnetic personality of Göring with the need to not make him too sympathetic, Crowe stated that he believed the likable aspect of Göring’s personality would take care of itself. He noted that Göring’s actions and associations would always remind the audience of his true nature, making it impossible to sympathize with him too much. Crowe’s performance in Nuremberg has received critical acclaim, and the film is set to be released in the United States in November by Sony Pictures Classics.
