A tribute replaces a promotional appearance
Jeremy Saulnier, who wrote and directed Green Room, used a Friday screening of the 2015 film to honor Patrick Stewart, who had died the previous day at 86. Saulnier said he had come to promote his new project, Slayground, but chose instead to celebrate the actor. He asked the audience whether they were grieving Stewart's death, then described the actor as someone who had no obligation to join such a film and had many other options available.[S1]
How Stewart's casting revived the production
According to Saulnier, the film had reached a critical point with no actor cast as Darcy Banker, the leader of a skinhead group. He described the production as nearly shut down and said he had told people on stage that the sets might have to be dismantled. Then Stewart unexpectedly showed interest in the project, and within roughly a week Saulnier was speaking with him by phone. Once Stewart agreed, the director said, the movie was immediately greenlit and moved ahead.[S1][S2]
Saulnier gave Stewart credit for his own continued career, describing the actor as the reason he could still make films. He also called Stewart a generous person, a genuine gentleman and a considerate leader for the cast. The director thanked him for taking the risk and for making Green Room possible.[S1]
One word, and a warning for the audience
Saulnier also remembered a day on set when Stewart asked to add something small to a scene, a request the director initially found alarming. The addition turned out to be a single profane word delivered at a specific moment when the camera passed through the shot. Saulnier granted permission and said the exchange convinced him that Stewart fully understood the film, its style and its aims, and shared his perspective as a filmmaker.[S1]
The director urged the crowd to cheer loudly when that word arrives in the film. He also relayed Stewart's own instruction that audiences should never side with the Nazis, a remark that drew applause.[S1]
