Aaron Sorkin says Jeremy Strong’s ‘New Yorker’ profile is ‘distorted’ – The Hollywood Reporter

Aaron Sorkin replied New YorkersViral and recent records of Heir star Jeremy Strong, wrote in a letter that his contributions to the work may have helped create a “distorted picture” of the actor and his approach to his performances. he.

The lengthy note was posted by actress Jessica Chastain on behalf of the director, who worked with both Strong and Sorkin on Molly’s game, to her verified Twitter account on Friday. At various points, it refers to the answers Sorkin provided to the journal about the record and why he believes Strong’s approach to action is not inherently dangerous to those who don’t. work with him.

“After reading Michael Schulman’s profile, Jeremy strong, one that I joined. I want to speak up,” Sorkin’s letter read. “I think I helped Mr. Schulman create what I believe is a distorted picture of Jeremy that makes us roll our eyes at his acting.”

In the letter, the director shares the “five email questions” the profiler asked as well as his full answers about the actor whose history he likens to Dustin Hoffman. This includes Sorkin’s answer to Strong’s use of a kazoo in one Chicago’s Test 7 scene with actor Frank Langella, who plays Judge Julius Hoffman, as well as Strong’s request while filming the same movie to be tearful.

“Jeremy is not an asshole,” said Sorkins, defending Heir star process. “He doesn’t make people call him by his character’s name on set. But he built a path for himself so that he had already begun to dedicate himself to the performance by the time the director called to action. ”

Sorkin said that “only half” of his responses were reused for the record – those that asked for evaporative ventilation and the use of kazoo on set – which he admitted was “completely normal”. usually” for report type New Yorkers profile has been. However, the director explains that his comment on either issue is just that he “tells the story affectionately and as a way of expressing himself.” [Strong’s] commitment.”

“Let me be clear, Jeremy would never suggest endangering a member of the cast or crew or anyone else,” he wrote. “Jeremy also never considered an actor disrespectful. And certainly not Frank Langella. Frank, a four-time Tony Award-winning actor who asked himself not to be in the makeover trailer at the same time as the actors playing the accused, will tell you himself that he encouraged the defendants to annoy him. that. ”

Aaron Sorkin has no social media so asked me to post this on his behalf xx pic.twitter.com/3Ol1KGoJKM

– Jessica Chastain (@jes_chastain) December 10, 2021

Strong’s tearful claim, known before the records were published, was an attempt to replicate the experience of Jerry Rubin, the real-life 60s and 70s activist and anti-government leader. war and countercultural symbolism played by Strong, who. was impeached by the United States federal government and acquitted of conspiracy and incitement charges related to the anti-Vietnam War protests in Chicago during the 1968 Democratic National Convention. Sorkin denied requested by the actor because there were about 200 other performers on set along with 70 crew members.

Finally, Sorkin praised Strong’s approach to the craft, writing, “Actor Jeremy reminds me most of someone I’ve never worked with Dustin Hoffman. He’s got a lot of games and the actors get better as they get older. So it’s interesting to think that Jeremy strong has yet to put in one of the three best performances he’s ever given. “

“Jeremy Strong is a great actor and a great member of the company,” Sorkin concluded his letter. “There isn’t a writer, director or producer on Earth who wouldn’t take the chance to cast him.”

Strong’s acting choice has been discussed publicly before, with Heir co-star Brian Cox, in an interview for Late Night with Seth Meyers just a day before Sorkin’s letter was published, addressing concerns that Strong’s style might lead to burnout.

“The problem with Jeremy’s approach is that it works in terms of what’s on the other end,” Cox said. “My problem – and, that’s not the point, I don’t have a problem with Jeremy because he’s so interesting. … He is an extraordinary father. He’s a pretty unique individual. But, he is obsessed with work. And I worry about what it’s doing to him, because if you can’t separate yourself – because you’re dealing with all this stuff on a daily basis. You cannot live in it. In the end, you will be worn out. “

The Hollywood Reporter approached New Yorkers journal for comment.