Matthew Modine is one of the prolific actors in the industry who rose to prominence with Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket. Although he’s not an A-list star, he has been in some memorable films such as Birdy, Vision Quest, Married to the Mob, Gross Anatomy Pacific Heights, Short Cuts Cutthroat Island, and The Dark Knight Rises. He recently appeared in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, where he had a majority of his scenes with Robert Downey Jr.
Modine is also known for starring in the hit Netflix series Stranger Things in which he plays Dr. Martin Brenner who is a father-like figure to Eleven, played by Millie Bobby Brown. He recently talked about his character and also revealed that he was initially not interested in the role.
Matthew Modine Initially Didn’t Want to Be in Stranger Things
Matthew Modine played Dr. Martin Brenner in Netflix’s Stranger Things. The character is a callous and manipulative scientist who experiments on children with the hope of creating a superpowered individual. He also acts as a father figure to the character of Eleven played by Millie Bobby Brown. He talked to The Guardian about how he was initially not interested in the series and how he was drawn to the character later, saying,
“I didn’t want to do it. The Duffer Brothers kept saying: “Oh he’s going to be really important.” They never told me he was kidnapping children. I passed, but they kept ringing me up and made it really difficult for me to say no. I responded to their passion and he became a really interesting, complex character.”
Modine’s character proved to be important in the series as it provided an emotional anchor and a tragic backstory for the character of Eleven. Their complex relationship which could only be described as ‘tough love’ was a fascinating element of the show that fans really resonated with.
Matthew Modine Praises Christopher Nolan, Compares Him to an Orchestra Conductor
Matthew Modine recently starred in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer where he played Vannevar Bush, who is the head of the Office of Scientific Research and Development. He talked to Observer about working with the maverick director and compared him to an orchestra conductor. He said,
“I hope so! He’s like an orchestra conductor. Christopher is always on the set, he’s always standing beside the camera. He’s there in the scene with you when you’re doing it. What generally happens today is the director’s in another room watching on a television monitor, but because he’s in the room you can feel his encouragement. The same way that a conductor stands in front of an orchestra and raises his hand and opens his palm and says, ‘A little bit softer, a little bit louder.’ Christopher conducts when on his set and it’s something that I really appreciate.”
He continued,
“And as a cellist or a violin player or percussionist, it’s your responsibility to learn the song. You have to learn the role and show with all of your knowledge of how to play that piece because you’re part of a big orchestra. It’s not Christopher Nolan’s responsibility or job to teach you to do your part. That’s why he hires you. It’s why those actors come to work because they do all of their homework and their research. They show up and Christopher conducts them.”
Oppenheimer went on to become a monumental success at the box office and has grossed over $939 million at the box office. He also starred in the recent Liam Neeson action thriller Retribution. He will star in the upcoming sports drama Hard Miles which will be released sometime in 2024.
Sources: The Guardian, Observer
