Jeremy Renner has made a career off some very versatile films. From starring as Hawkeye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to heading his own Bourne saga, and even starring in critically acclaimed projects like Mayor of Kingstown and Wind River. He has certainly created an excellent acting portfolio for himself.
During the making of the 2016 film, Arrival, Renner knew exactly when to take control as the lead and when to step aside and let his co-star, Amy Adams, shine.
Jeremy Renner Sidelined Himself for Amy Adams
Soon after the release of Avengers: Age of Ultron, Jeremy Renner starred in Denis Villeneuve’s Arrival. Even though he did not play the protagonistic role in the film, he did play one of the central characters and had a significant contribution to the story. During an interview with IndieWire, he talked about how his role in the film affected his dominant storyline—his love story with Amy Adams’ character.
Interestingly enough, the actor revealed a creative decision that he took during the making of the project that many would not have. Renner decided to give up control and impact on the story, letting Adams do her thing when it comes to their shared storyline.
I wanted to support my friend in the role of a strong female lead which is lacking in Hollywood,” he said. “She’s a superhero essentially. If a role is not as rich and dynamic, it’s a different sort of challenge, but you’re part of the storytelling.
He understood that having strong female protagonists in Hollywood was a very rare thing, and he did not want to do anything to sabotage this opportunity of representation for the actress. Understanding what his role in the story was, he took Adams’ lead and took the director she wanted to take with the story.
The Arrival of Mysteries and Deceptions
Denis Villeneuve’s Arrival famously has a very shocking and flabergasting plot twist. Throughout the film, audiences think that they are following two different moments in time; the past and present that are interconnected through flashbacks. However, they learn towards the end of the film that they were, in fact, witnessing something different altogether.
Tied together by Amy Adams’ character, she is able to travel through time after learning the language of the aliens. The narrative structure is completely changed when audiences learn that her interactions with her daughter, Hannah, were not flashbacks but what could have happened.
Since this was at the very core of the story and what the filmmaker wanted to focus on, Jeremy Renner knew that the romantic storyline could not take away the focus. Understanding this assignment, he knew that they had to bring enough complexity to their love story to make sure that audiences understood their dynamic, without making it the center of the project.
Because there was a rug pull, we wanted to dive into the romance, but we couldn’t show it too much. We had to steer away so the rug pull would work.
During the interview, he mentioned exactly this, letting Adams take the lead when it comes to their dynamic to make sure it was able to achieve their goal. He understood his role in progressing Adams’ storyline and did not want to take over the rest of the story.
Considering how critically acclaimed and beloved the film has become, it is safe to say that he did an excellent job at it.
Arrival is available for streaming on Paramount+.
