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Jake and Remy try to reason with The Union’s manager, Frank (LIEV SCHREIBER).
find this emotional catharsis, and
Jude has that rare ability.”
Law became extremely disciplined
when it came time to
prepare physically and mentally for
the role. As well, the shooting
schedule required numerous demands
on the performer. Not only
was he in almost every scene of
Repo Men, he found himself in
freezing cold weather during the
many long night shoots. Coupled
with wearing prosthetics while
performing multiple physical feats,
Law couldn’t remember a produc-
dark humor mixed with a love story, a buddy movie
and satire, and the challenge that juggling all those
tones presented to me as an actor.”
Sapochnik, Stuber and the writers were thrilled with
Law’s enthusiasm to play protagonist Remy, the man
who loses his heart but gains a soul. Garcia recalls:
tion that was more taxing. And he didn’t miss a beat.
“Jude embraced the physical part of the movie
without hesitation,” Stuber continues. “He worked out
extensively and not only trained his body, but also
learned complicated fight moves and techniques with
a knife. He was 100 percent committed to the film.”
“Jude was always behind the script. We could have been When the filmmakers landed Oscar ® winner
spinning our wheels for Lord knows how long, but when
he signed, we knew it was really happening.”
Law describes his character: “I play a guy who’s just
an upright working bloke doing his job. He’s been highly
trained and encouraged to kill, but then, like so many exmilitary
men, he’s been cast off not knowing what to do
with his skills at the end of a conflict. Remy finds an
outlet through The Union, and his bizarre job gives him
an epiphany that, ultimately, sends him on the run. What
makes him interesting to me is that he’s also a little bit
of a philosopher and a writer, with an inner voice that’s
more poetic than he would let on.”
Stuber was wowed by Law’s dedication to transforming
into the conflicted killer. “We wanted
someone who could bring darkness to the character of
Remy, someone who believes in the nihilism involved
in the job that they’re doing,” he says. “But, ultimately,
through the course of the movie, Remy has to
Forest Whitaker to portray the role of Remy’s brutish
partner and best childhood friend, Jake, they knew that
they had scored. While shooting a film in Louisiana,
Stuber heard that Whitaker was also filming nearby,
and the producer asked to meet with the actor to
discuss the project. When Whitaker returned to Los
Angeles, he and Stuber met with Sapochnik, and
Whitaker became sold on joining the film.
Reflects Sapochnik: “I can’t imagine anyone other
than Forest as Jake; he’s turned an interesting character
into a multilayered and nuanced, lovable
psychopath by bringing out a jovial quality that
brought Jake to life. He’s also given me an amazing
experience in the edit room because I could choose
the version and, ultimately, the arc of the character;
he’s provided so much to play with. That comes from
his fascinating ability to reinterpret the same moment
in each take.”
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