SAVANNAH, Ga. — Long after shooting "Juror #2" in Savannah, Georgia, Toni Colette and Nicholas Hoult are still over the moon about the experience.
"I mean, Gosh! We got to work with a living legend, Clint Eastwood," Collette gushed. "Honestly the story could have been Hansel and Gretel. I mean I honestly would have done anything with him."
The movie reunites Collette and Hoult, who played mother and son in the Hugh Grant comedy "About A Boy," 22 years ago.
As the title character in this film, Hoult plays a family man serving in a murder trial who realizes he likely had a role in the victim's death.
"He's suddenly dragged into this predicament that's almost impossible for us to imagine," Hoult said. "He wants to protect his family. How can he let justice take the right path without like ruining his life?"
Hoult says he had to pinch himself every day he was on the set with Eastwood, who at 94, has made no statements that this will be his final film.
"He's obviously got a great sense of humor and puts everyone at ease," Hoult said. "But then he also would occasionally come and sit down by the camera, watching you do a scene. And you're looking at the other actor but you can see Clint Eastwood out of your periphery and that's kind of the most crazy experience in life because that's Clint! And I've watched him in so many films, I've loved so many of the films that he's directed."
Eastwood, who has directed two Academy Award winning Best Pictures in "Million Dollar Baby" and "Unforgiven," has a reputation for getting the raw truth out of a performance and moving on. That kind of time pressure, some say, leads to good acting.
Collette praised Hoult's performance.
"I love watching your character go through everything," she said to him. "There are scenes where I can just see your past swimming behind your eyes and you just trying to crawl your way out of it."
Both actors says they are honored to be a part of the Eastwood film legacy.
"To be able to do it with Clint," Collette said. "Come on now! What a gift!"
"Juror #2" is rated PG-13 and is playing at Cinemark Lincoln Square Cinemas in Bellevue.
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