You're always in for a surprise when working with Guy Ritchie!
Eiza González delved into the behind-the-scenes magic of her latest film, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, and shared insights with ET's Nischelle Turner about the distinctive experience of working with Ritchie. She emphasized the moment she adopted a British accent as the instant realization that she was truly immersed in a Ritchie production. She reflected on the meticulous attention to detail, especially in the crisp uniforms and sets that transported the cast to the World War II era, making it a remarkable experience for her.
"It's the moment that the wardrobe is perfect and crisp in the perfect place, and just like watching them in the uniforms in the outfits and bags, it's just like it is, you know, those very few movies, that's not true, but there are some movies that you walk in, and it's that moment where you're like this is a movie set," González said. "It feels like moments that you take in, those locations, those sets, especially World War II is like a beautiful sweeping era in time and history, so for me personally it was a great moment."
González further elaborated on Ritchie's unique approach to casting and scriptwriting, emphasizing his knack for handpicking talents and his tendency to rewrite scenes, sometimes on the very day of filming. She revealed the exhilarating challenge of never knowing what to expect, citing an instance where Ritchie spontaneously incorporated a singing scene in German for her character, showcasing his penchant for elevating his actors' capabilities.
"That was also not on the script, and that's what I really like to say about Guy, you know, when I grew up watching Guy Ritchie movies -- I think we all did -- I mean Lock, Stock and Snatch and all these movies really defined me," González said.
The 34-year-old continued, "I remember thinking he really develops personality on films, and I never knew if it was the actors, him, or what it was, and when we got the script I mean the role was this small, like, if you saw the script and the lines and he just started saying like, ‘Oh can you sing, oh amazing, let's write a scene in this you can sing and let's do it in German and do you speak Italian, do you speak French, Babs amazing let's showcase you’ and he just wants to showcase you so that's why like I couldn't stop working with him. I'm just so so grateful to Guy."
Reflecting on Ritchie's directing style, González praised his ability to read his actors and seamlessly integrate their traits into their characters. Despite the occasional curveball, González expressed confidence in Ritchie's vision, crediting his calm demeanor for fostering a sense of security on set.
Beyond the cinematic magic, González also touched upon the camaraderie and bonding moments shared with her castmates, emphasizing the human aspect of filmmaking that she cherishes dearly. The star-studded cast includes Henry Cavill, Henry Golding, Alex Pettyfer, Cary Elwes and more.
"To me, it's the simple things, it's sort of the bonding moments with people and you kinda go back home and you're, you know, just full, especially when you're on set," she said. "It's like I get really excited when I'm on a set and I have great castmates and people that I've admired or looked up to like him that I like grew up watching his movies a billion times."
González also took a moment to address recent viral comments she made in an interview with InStyle regarding the challenges she faced in Hollywood due to stereotypical casting. She told the magazine in part, "I went through a lot of trouble with my body, with my curves, with my look. It was really tough. I just think it's an overly sexualized idea of a Latin woman. It's so disappointing and it's so pathetic ... I remember being [told for] so many projects, 'She's too pretty for the role. She's too hot for the role.'"
She clarified to ET that her remarks aimed to shed light on the industry's tendency to pigeonhole actors based on narrow perceptions, particularly concerning Latin women. She expressed excitement about the evolving landscape of opportunities for diverse representation in cinema.
"That's what I was mentioning is the Latin community has gone through so much and women specifically in Latin culture through this idea of what they are versus the reality of what they are and what I was talking about specifically was the exciting times that I get to now play roles that I probably wouldn't have had the opportunity before because times are changing and we're moving forward in such a positive way and it's exciting that I get to play a nano physicist or I get to play a role like this in such an incredible movie and it's just it's sad that it's taken out of context," González said. "It's sad that it's taken out of context because the intention is quite the opposite. It's shedding light to a thing that I think was making people think of a culture in a specific way and shedding light in a positive [way] but it had nothing to do with my personal experience within itself."
"I think that we just live in such a clickbait world right now where people like to twist words but, you know, I've learned my lesson," she added.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare hits theaters on April 19.
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