Guest Eva Anderson joins the hosts to discuss David Fincher's 'Panic Room'. They talk about Jodie Foster's unexpected role, David Fincher's involvement in Jared Leto's cornrows, and Studio 60's unrelated prominence in the conversation. The chapter descriptions cover topics such as auditioning for SNL and Studio 60, the challenges of filmmaking amidst actor injuries, and the opening sequence of the movie. They also touch on topics like panic rooms, a commercial with political messaging, and admiring an actor's acting skills and career transition to music.
David Fincher initially wanted to make a movie contained to one location, leading to the concept of Panic Room.
Jodie Foster replaced Nicole Kidman as the lead after Kidman injured her leg during filming.
David Fincher faced difficulties with the limited space of the Panic Room set and the precision required for each shot.
David Fincher was attached to numerous projects after Fight Club, but many of them were never made due to various reasons.
Jodie Foster's casting in Panic Room brought a different dynamic to the film, exploring themes of empowerment and survival.
Meg and Sarah, the main characters of Panic Room, outsmart the intruders using strategic planning and turning the tables on them.
Deep dives
The Conception of Panic Room
David Fincher, after the ambitious and complex Fight Club, wanted to make a movie that was contained to one location. The idea of a panic room intrigued him, and he developed the concept of a recently divorced woman in over her head, who buys a brownstone with a panic room. The character was initially envisioned as Nicole Kidman, but when she had to drop out due to an injury, Jodie Foster was cast in the role. The movie became a thriller about a mother and daughter trapped in their new home and pursued by intruders.
Challenges during Production
During the production of Panic Room, Nicole Kidman injured her leg and had to drop out of the film. This resulted in a major setback, as 19 days of filming had already taken place. However, Jodie Foster was eventually cast in the lead role. Additionally, director David Fincher faced difficulties with the limited space of the set and the precision required for each shot. The production had to continue while Nicole Kidman's leg injury was accommodated. Despite the challenges, Panic Room was completed and released with Foster in the lead role.
Unrealized Projects and Franchise Offers
After Fight Club, David Fincher was attached to numerous projects, some of which were never made. He was linked to films like The Night Watchman, The Black Dahlia, Catch Me If You Can, and Spider-Man. However, he often found that the studios were not receptive to his vision or the films were not feasible at the time. For example, his take on Spider-Man would have included skipping the origin story and focusing on Gwen Stacy as the love interest. Despite not making some of these projects, Fincher remained a highly sought-after director in Hollywood.
Jodie Foster and the Character Development
Jodie Foster's casting in Panic Room brought a different dynamic to the film. The initial conception of the character was a glamorous, recently divorced woman played by Nicole Kidman. However, with Foster's casting, the character evolved into someone more independent, resilient, and unafraid to face the challenges thrown her way. David Fincher saw Foster as having a certain strength and presence in her eyes that added depth to the character. Foster's portrayal as a divorcee navigating an intense home invasion situation allowed the film to explore themes of empowerment and survival.
Introduction of the Panic Room and the Break-In
Meg and her daughter Sarah move into a townhouse with a panic room. They are soon targeted by burglars who break into their home.
The Battle of Wits and Tactics
As the burglars attempt to break into the panic room, Meg and Sarah use their wits and strategic planning to outsmart and defend themselves against the intruders.
The Gas Attack and Escalating Tensions
In an attempt to flush Meg and Sarah out of the panic room, the burglars pump gas into the room. However, Meg turns the tables and sets the burglars on fire, escalating the tension and danger in the house.
Final Confrontation and Survival
In the final moments of the film, Meg faces the leader of the burglars in a dramatic confrontation. Through her resourcefulness and determination, Meg manages to outsmart him and protect herself and her daughter, ultimately ensuring their survival.
Overview of the Podcast Episode
The podcast episode discusses the film 'Panic Room' directed by David Fincher. The hosts analyze the main characters, plot points, and themes of the movie. They praise Jodie Foster's performance and the tight direction of Fincher. They also delve into some behind-the-scenes details and trivia about the film. Overall, they find 'Panic Room' to be a well-crafted and engaging thriller.
Jodie Foster's Performance and David Fincher's Direction
The hosts highlight Jodie Foster's outstanding performance in 'Panic Room' and discuss how she brought depth and empathy to her character. They also praise David Fincher's direction, noting his ability to create tension and maintain a tight narrative throughout the film.
Analysis of Plot and Themes
The podcast episode delves into the main plot points and themes of 'Panic Room'. They examine the concept of the panic room itself and its symbolic significance in the movie. They also discuss the exploration of parenthood and the moral choices made by the characters. Overall, they find the plot to be engaging and thought-provoking.
Behind-the-Scenes Trivia and Reactions
The hosts provide some interesting behind-the-scenes trivia about the making of 'Panic Room', including the marketing strategies and the director's vision. They also share their personal reactions and opinions on the film, highlighting its effectiveness as a thriller and the standout performances of the cast.
We’re scootin’ through some wild Manhattan real estate this week and locking ourselves into David Fincher’s PANIC ROOM with the wonderful Eva Anderson! Can you believe that Jodie Foster wasn’t even supposed to be in this movie? And that David Fincher was the one who braided Jared Leto’s cornrows? Just kidding about that last one. Come for Griffin’s formative crush on young Kristen Stewart, stay for the inexplicable amount of talk about “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” - a show that has absolutely nothing to do with this movie.
