Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Following the critical and commercial success ofA Star Is Born(2018) alongside Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper pulled quadruple duty with his recently released film,Maestro(2023). Debuted on Netflix, the film was hailed among Cooper’s other enduring works, because of his sheer dedication and captivating performance.
But according to reports, shootingMaestroput the cast and crew in a tough spot, because of Bradley Cooper’s long list of “non-negotiable” requirements. Apparently, when it came to starring in and directing the critically acclaimed biopic of Leonard Bernstein, Cooper didn’t want to compromise on anything.
Also read:Bradley Cooper’s One On Set Rule Can be a Nightmare For Actors Yet Even Christopher Nolan Follows This
Bradley Cooper PutMaestro’s Cast and Crew in a Tough Spot
Hitting it off with his 2018 blockbuster,A Star Is Born,Bradley Cooper learned the art of making spellbound movies that mesmerize audiences and critics at large. Thereafter, the actor appeared in several other acclaimed projects but recently made headlines for his enchanting take on the 2023 biopic of renowned musician, Leonard Bernstein.
Taking on the quadruple duty of directing, producing, co-writing, and starring inMaestro,Bradley Coopermade the impossible come true. Largely following Leonard Bernstein’s personal life, the film debuted on Netflix, focusing on his marriage to Costa Rican-born actress Felicia Montealegre. But making the film with Cooper wasn’t an easy sip of tea, instead, it was a really challenging act.
According to producer Kristie Macosko Krieger, it was a privilege to work with Bradley Cooper, as he was quite the marvel to watch. However, at the same time, it was also equally challenging to keep up with Cooper. Particularly because of the actor’s long list of requirements and high standards when it came to the production, it put the cast and crew in a tough spot.
Also read:“I’m so proud of you”: Steven Spielberg Vindicates Bradley Cooper Amid ‘Maestro’ Controversies After Almost Directing the Movie Himself
Producer Reveals Bradley Cooper’s List of Requirements
Speaking withNewsweek, producer Kristie Macosko Krieger spilled the beans on Bradley Cooper’s long list of requirements. Setting the benchmark high for the production, with his non-negotiable requirements, Cooper made it difficult for people to come on board. Noting the Oscar-nominated actor’s demands, Krieger stated,
“Bradley didn’t make it an easy situation for us. He wanted to shoot the movie in the hallowed halls where Lenny and Felicia lived their lives. So he wanted to shoot a tango, he wanted to shoot at Carnegie Hall, he wanted to shoot in Ely Cathedral, he wanted to shoot at The Plaza, he wanted to shoot in Central Park.”
“He wanted to shoot in the Dakota, but we couldn’t shoot in the Dakota, so we had to build the Dakota to look exactly like their apartment did. And so making [Maestro] in the real spaces, he wanted to shoot live music, he wanted to shoot on film. These are all things that were non-negotiable for him.”
Adding further, Kristie Macosko Krieger continued to make the list longer like Bradley Cooper had presented them. Revealing the actor’s requirements regarding makeup and prosthetics, the producer stated, how far Cooper went to achieve it.
“He wanted to shoot with the prosthetic makeup and he wanted to shoot it over five decades. So like all of those things made it like the triple Salchow to accomplish. It was not an easy film to make, it was the right way to make the film. And he knew that that was exactly what we should do. And that was the way to tell the story of their lives.”
Eventually, the producer admitted that although it was difficult to keep up with Bradley Cooper’s requirements, it was the right way to do things. And certainly, the actor’s long list turnedMaestrointo a global success on Netflix.
Krittika Mukherjee
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3219
Krittika Mukherjee is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on films, TV shows, and celebrity news with over 3,000 articles published. With an educational background in Journalism, and a keen interest in filmmaking, Krittika blends factual precision with creative flair, when crafting her editorials, or dissecting fan theories.Her coverage often includes news and analyses of critically acclaimed films, celebrity news, and franchises like the Wizarding World, LOTR, DC, and MCU—particularly Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts, Superheroes, and fan theories. As a Wizarding World aficionado, Krittika has spent countless hours exploring hidden backstories, unadapted book moments, spells, and trivias surrounding J.K. Rowling’s lore.An imaginative writer with a way with words, Krittika has worked as an entertainment journalist for the past two years and a web content writer for a year. She brought her experience and expertise to FandomWire to pursue her desire for sipping coffee while dissecting films and tracking celebrity drama.
