LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'Maestro' star Bradley Cooper opened up about his daunting journey of stepping into the shoes of Leonard Bernstein during a recent interview on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert'.
The 48-year-old Hollywood actor described the transformation process as 'terrifying', providing insight into the hurdles and triumphs associated with portraying such a multifaceted character.
Bradley Cooper about Leonard Bernstein
'Maestro' is an American biopic, directed and co-written by Bradley Cooper, delves into the life of composer Leonard Bernstein and his wife Felicia Montealegre. The movie stars Cooper as Bernstein and Carey Mulligan as Montealegre, with Matt Bomer, Maya Hawke, and Sarah Silverman in key roles.
Speaking of his role, Cooper said, "Anywhere I guarantee you 2% would know who he is. This was exciting. His music, his music is nuclear."
He added, "I thought if I can make a movie where it could be scored to his music, there is a possibility for something transcendent. I knew a star is born, it was nuclear, it was just for me to mess up. I felt that about this movie."
"I knew I didn't want to make a biopic because he is one of the most videoed musicians of the 20th century. He kept being on the forefront. He had a television show for 15 seasons, which is incredible," he added.
"I just fell in love with him and the fact I got to be him was nuts," added the star calling Bernstein infectious.
Bradley Cooper recalls about transforming into Leonard Bernstein
Renowned actor, screenwriter, and director Bradley Cooper shared with Stephen the "daunting, terrifying" task of transforming into Leonard Bernstein for his latest film, 'Maestro'.
"They also described him as when he walked into a room, he just took over. How do you play charisma. It was terrifying," said Cooper.
The actor also mentioned that he was fortunate to have had 5.5 years to work on the project. He said that Bernstein had 'this voice' and he worked with a dialect coach and started working on it before 'A Star is Born' was released.
"We just broke it down. It also changed throughout the course of his life. It is about his relationship. It is about a marriage and his voice changed. He was a heavy smoker and started smoking when he was 13," Cooper recalled.
"I have never made something fearlessly and I know it is because lenny was with me when I was making it," Cooper stated.
"I feel like time was ben. I can't believe I didn't know -- I feel like I knew him. He died in 1990. He gave me the courage to cinematically attack this movie with utter fearlessness. one of the things that is remarkable."
Colbert then told Cooper that he looked much like Bernstein. "The most incredible makeup artist I worked with, we just kept testing," replied the actor. "We have a crazy work ethic. It was a marriage made in heaven."
