Sean Penn is known for his critically acclaimed performances in the mainstream and independent cinema. Penn won two Academy Awards for his acting, including a Best Actor Oscar for his role in the 2003 neo-noir crime thriller film Mystic River. For the film, Penn collaborated with director Clint Eastwood.
Despite their successful collaboration, Penn admitted in an interview that the veteran director’s process remained an enigma to him. Penn stated that he found Eastwood’s directorial style unusual, especially when it came to completing his projects. Here is what Penn had to say about his experience of working with Eastwood on Mystic River.
Sean Penn Admitted Finding Clint Eastwood an Unusual Director
Sean Penn starred in the 2003 crime-thriller film Mystic River, playing the role of James “Jimmy” Markum. The film is based on Dennis Lehane’s novel of the same name, with Penn winning a Best Actor Academy Award for his role in the movie directed by Clint Eastwood.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Penn spoke about his collaboration with Eastwood. The actor admitted that Eastwood’s process and efficiency of filmmaking surprised him as the entire principal photography was completed in a matter of weeks.
Clint [Eastwood] is a very unusual case. The only thing I learned from him was the value of a sense of calm and quiet on a set. How he makes a movie is a mystery to me.
Penn made the above statement, adding that he was caught off guard by Eastwood’s style and speed of working.
The Dead Man Walking star praised Eastwood for his grasp on filmmaking, revealing that the veteran director had completed the shooting and produced the background score in just nine weeks. Therefore, it is easy to understand why Eastwood’s filmmaking style remains an enigma for Penn, who has himself directed several films.
Sean Penn Considered Rejecting Clint Eastwood’s Mystic River
During a separate interview, Penn talked about working on Mystic River, which led him to Oscar success. While speaking with Oprah Winfrey, Penn admitted that he initially considered turning down Eastwood’s script, having made a similar crime-thriller movie around the same time.
He called again and I figured, this guy will never talk to you again if you turn him down. I got about ten pages into the script when I called him and said, this just hammers me.
Penn made the above statement, explaining that when Eastwood first approached him for the movie, he had every intention of turning down the offer. Therefore, he did not bother reading the script.
However, to preserve his friendship with the Dirty Harry star, the actor decided to read the screenplay for Mystic River and was blown away by it. Therefore, it is safe to say that Penn only agreed to star in the movie because of his friendship with Eastwood, which resulted in one of the most acclaimed performances of his career.