Michele Morrone Enters the "A Simple Favor" Universe: A Conversation on Acting, Originality, and Learning from Blake Lively
The world of high fashion, cunning schemes, and unexpected twists that defines "A Simple Favor" is expanding, and with it comes a new player: Italian actor Michele Morrone. Director Paul Feig, known for his sharp wit and stylish visuals, has brought Morrone into the fold for "Another Simple Favor," the sequel now streaming on Prime Video. Morrone, who gained international recognition for his role in the erotic thriller "365 Days," steps into the shoes of Dante Versano, a wealthy and enigmatic Mafioso who becomes engaged to Emily Nelson, portrayed by Blake Lively.
Dante’s character is set to play a pivotal role in the sequel’s plot. In the original film, Emily found herself incarcerated after Stephanie Smothers, played by Anna Kendrick, exposed Emily’s elaborate scheme of faking her own death. In "Another Simple Favor," Emily seeks Stephanie’s assistance once again, this time enlisting her as the maid of honor at her extravagant destination wedding in Capri. It’s within this opulent setting that Dante’s influence comes into play, as he becomes instrumental in securing Emily’s release from prison.
Morrone’s decision to join the "A Simple Favor" universe was fueled by his enthusiasm for the script. "I read the script, it was incredible," he shares. He acknowledges that "365 Days," the film that propelled him to stardom, "is not the best film ever," but he reprised the role for its two sequels. He has also ventured into other projects, including "Subservience," where he plays a husband who develops an affair with a robot, and "The Housemaid," also directed by Feig. Currently, he is filming "Maserati: The Brothers" alongside Anthony Hopkins, Andy Garcia, and Jessica Alba, in addition to another project shrouded in secrecy.
While tight-lipped about the details of his undisclosed project, Morrone expresses excitement, stating, "It’s going to be so fun." He is, however, more forthcoming about his character, Dante, in "Another Simple Favor." "It’s nothing like it seems," he reveals. "He wants to feel powerful, but he’s not. He doesn’t really care about being a Mafia boss."
Morrone also reflects on the valuable lessons he learned from Blake Lively during the filming of "Another Simple Favor" and emphasizes the significance of originality in one’s craft. In an interview, Morrone delves deeper into his experience working on the sequel, contrasting his experiences in the Italian and American film industries, and the insightful advice he received from his co-star, Blake Lively.
When asked about what made the experience of working on "Another Simple Favor" so enjoyable, Morrone highlights the kindness and inspiration he found on set. "People were kind and fine and funny and super-inspiring, even (more than) the acting. I’ve learned so much. Blake is in the industry 20 years, and I’m just new. So I had the chance to learn the American acting method."
Morrone proceeds to elaborate on the differences he perceives between the American and Italian approaches to acting. "In Italy, it seems like you just need to be in front of a camera to be an actor. I believe that actors in America take the job much more serious than Italians. The movie industry in America is one of the first industries. So they take it very, very serious, and I like that. We’re working, and we need to make a good project."
He further observes the positive and supportive atmosphere on American film sets. "The American people on set, they’re so, so polite, even positive. When you work on an Italian set, they make you feel like you don’t know (anything). You just have to do the job. Americans are very open to listening to you. I was so surprised that Paul Feig was there to listen to my ideas. We had an exchange of ideas, and we gave life to the character together."
Morrone shares a specific piece of advice he received from Blake Lively, which profoundly impacted his approach to acting. "I was trying so, so hard to speak in the American slang, but then Blake was like, ‘Why are you doing that?’ I was like, ‘Because I want to at least try to speak like you.’ She was like, ‘No, you’re cool because you have an Italian accent. If you were an American actor, you would be just like everybody else.’ It was so refreshing for me. And I really want to thank Blake for that because that was actually right. What matters is the acting, the work, the passion you have for this job, how serious you take a film and a script."
Finally, when asked about whether there is someone whose career he would like to emulate, Morrone emphasizes the importance of forging one’s own path. "No, everybody should find their own way to become original. Because if you try to emulate someone, you’re just bringing a weird copy of someone else and people won’t be so interested in you because it exists already."
Morrone’s entry into the "A Simple Favor" universe promises to bring a new dimension of intrigue and complexity to the story. With his dedication to his craft and his willingness to learn from experienced actors like Blake Lively, Morrone is poised to make a significant impact on the sequel and further solidify his position in the international film industry. His reflections on the differences between the Italian and American film industries, as well as his emphasis on originality, offer valuable insights into the world of acting and the importance of staying true to oneself. As "Another Simple Favor" unfolds, audiences can anticipate a captivating performance from Morrone as he brings the enigmatic Dante Versano to life.
