Being a big Quentin Tarantino fan herself, Mary Elizabeth Winstead found herself quite excited when she got the chance to star in the 2007 film, Death Proof. What unfolded next was a unique and genuine connection between the two, which is a rarity in this industry indeed. Trying to navigate Hollywood is no easy feat, and with less than a decade in the business, Winstead faced her fair share of daunting moments. However, it was Tarantino who became her beacon of light, helping her weather the storms and giving her strength and resilience to move forward.
Speaking to Metro in 2012, the actress revealed, how Quentin Tarantino shaped her as an artist, as well as a human being with his infinite wisdom.
Quentin Tarantino Made Mary Elizabeth Winstead Believe In Herself
Quentin Tarantino found Mary Elizabeth Winstead through the casting process and was mesmerized instantly. When Winstead stepped into the role of Lee Montgomery in Death Proof, a character he initially felt was a little incomplete, it magically transformed into a meticulously crafted persona. And for this, the director will be forever grateful to Winstead who had successfully found what had been right before Tarantino’s eyes all along. As a result, Tarantino developed a certain kinship towards the actress. From that moment forward, Tarantino then became a guiding force in her journey, using every means at his disposal to steer her in the right direction.
During her conversation with Metro, Winstead further revealed she learned a lot from the legendary director. She stated,
“Quentin Tarantino. He was always imparting wisdom and telling stories. He gave me a lot of confidence in casting me in Death Proof and saying how much he believed in me. As an actor, you go through lots of dark periods of not working so being given that kind of confidence by someone of his calibre was a big boost.”
Gaining knowledge from the legendary Quentin Tarantino is an opportunity that many would kill to have, and for that, she holds an infinite sense of gratitude. It’s a privilege she cherishes beyond measure, as she continues to navigate her path through Hollywood.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead Will Never Forget This Piece of Advice Given by Quentin Tarantino
Hollywood is a tough nut to crack, often demanding a blend of spontaneity and instinct to make it big. So, when the Ahsoka actress found herself doubting whether to jump head-first into a major role in a project, Quentin Tarantino shared an invaluable piece of advice. In her same conversation with Metro, she said,
“I was up for a big role and wasn’t sure if I wanted it he said I was being cowardly and that I should step up to the plate. I’ve realised you need to be ready for anything in this business and whatever comes your way you should be happy and grateful for it.”
Although the specifics of the role in question are still unknown, it’s up for speculation. The actress has undoubtedly come a long way since then, with the legendary Tarantino serving as her steadfast guardian angel along the way.
Death Proof is currently available on Apple TV to rent.
Source: Metro
