Barbie finally came out! On July 21, the long-awaited film hit theaters after an intense and much-discussed promotional campaign. It’s a momentous moment for director Greta Gerwig, who is looking stunning on her third solo film in about five years. Even better, she got her start in film as a successful actress, although she was also always interested in working behind the camera.
In honor of their latest film release, here are 14 well-known actors (including Greta) who have tried their hand at directing success:
1.
Greta Gerwig, Barbie (2023):
Why did she make the jump to straight solo Lady BirdGreta told Vulture in 2017, “When I finished the script, I had a moment with myself where I thought, ‘Either you’re going to do this now or you’re never going to do this. Now you have to make your mistakes and get your gifts because you have to, at some point, jump in. ‘”
two.
Molly Gordon, theater camp (2023):
Why did she co-direct theater camp, Molly told Nylon, “Especially as a woman, I needed to assert myself and not expect others to give it to me, because they just won’t.”
3.
Eva Longoria, Hot Hot (2023):
As for why now was Eva’s time to direct her first feature, she told The Hollywood Reporter that she first needed to find the confidence to direct. “The industry is definitely suspicious of an actor entering [to direct]. For me, it was about getting over it. It wasn’t sexism or racism. It was like, ‘Here comes a dumb actor,'” she said.
4.
Ben Affleck, Air (2023)
as to why gone baby gone was the right film for his directorial debut, Ben told SFGate in 2007, “On some level, I wanted to make a film set in Boston. I thought it would make me feel safer and more comfortable because it’s a place I know better than any other. I wanted to show the city the way I know it, to say something personal. No one could say I don’t understand that place.”
5.
Michael B. Jordan, Creed III (2023)
as to why Creed III it was the right directorial debut for Michael, he told Deadline that it resonated with the film’s story about a young black man dealing with fame, career and family dynamics. “I [thought] a lot of it could be universal and related to many different people. To me, it felt like who else would be able to direct me into something that I felt like I had lived through?” he said.
6.
Olivia Wilde, Do not worry, dear (2022)
As for why Olivia Wilde wanted to direct, she told Variety in 2020, “I never wanted to pigeonhole myself. I was like, ‘I love everything. I’ll do anything.’ That was proof that what I really love is the process, a clue that I should be directing.”
7.
Jordan Peele, No (2022)
As for why Jordan wanted to direct, he told the Los Angeles Times in 2018 that he always felt compelled, but “left [his] dream of being a late director” because he didn’t see “a place for many black directors”. Many years later, after an odyssey through acting and comedy, I returned to my original dream. And the fact that it was received the way it was received teaches me a lot about how I internalized the system.”
8.
Maggie Gyllenhaal, The Lost Daughter (2021)
As for why Maggie wanted to direct, she told Deadline that the inspiration came in part from playing a porn director on the HBO series, The Deuce. “I kind of opened the gates a little bit and was talking about it with [The Lost Daughter producers] a little. And they said, ‘Run, don’t walk. This is what you should be doing,'” she said.
9.
George Clooney, the contest bar (2021)
As for why George started directing, he said CNN last year, “When you’re acting in a movie, you’re basically one of the paintings. When you’re directing the movie, you’re the painter. You can pick and choose, and it’s infinitely more exciting.”
10.
Denzel Washington, A diary for Jordan (2021)
As for why Denzel enjoys directing, he told PBS in 2021, “I’d rather not be in movies. [he directs.] In the beginning, it was about me raising money to make the movies. Then Fences, we obviously had great success on stage, so that translated to film. But I like being the type of guy who stays behind the scenes more.”
11.
Regina King, One night in Miami… (2020)
Why did she make her directorial debut with One night in Miami…, Regina told Thrillist in 2021, “Reading Kemp’s script, the way he humanized these four men made me feel like I believe every black man I know and love can see himself in this play.”
12.
Bradley Cooper, a star is born (2018)
As for why Bradley directed A star is born, he told Time in 2018, “I always knew I wanted to direct. Always. So it was about facing the fear of doing it. I said at 40 that if I hadn’t tried it, shame on you.”
Finally, here are two well-known actors who will be making their directorial debuts very soon:
13.
Randall Park, Deficiencies (2023)
As for why Randall wanted to direct, he told GQ earlier this year: “I was almost blown away by how comfortable I felt in that position. To be involved in all facets, to feel like the leader of this team, to reshape its vision with the help of other people – all of that was really exciting for me.”
14.
Chelsea Peretti, First Time Female Director (2024)
As for why Chelsea wanted to direct, she told the Associated Press, “I feel like you just have to have that part of you that says, ‘F— it’.” I always want to try new things and I always want to grow. That’s the fun of being creative for me. And that doesn’t mean that all these ideas work. But I love spontaneity and following inspiration and seeing what happens.”
Share this:
- Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)