I was listening to an episode of RadioLab [an NPR show and podcast].
From there, I got a copy of the book.
It immediately appeared to me as a film.
Credit: Frank Masi SMPSP/Sony; Inset: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
As a result, political journalism and gossip journalism drove into the same lane for the first time.
Did you meet him while you were still writing?
Or later in the process?This was a film that I never stopped writing.
We were constantly trying to make the world as rich as possible.
We were constantly writing details; constantly creating little appendix scenes for everyone on screen.
Because of that I was reaching out to the original campaign team all the time looking for more detail.
Why did you feel Hugh was the right choice to play Gary?
Hes someone Ive wanted to work with basically since I became aware of him.
He was clearly right for the part.
He resembles Gary Hart, and he feels like a politician.
What was exciting for me was the process of watching an actor who fearlessly dives into whatever hes doing.
I learned about Gary Hart and the Gary Hart story through Hugh Jackman.
And he said, Oh thats a book compiled by a researcher so I can learn more about Hart.
And I said, Really?
Youre going to read that whole thing?
He said, This is book one of five.
You often work with actors multiple times.
Here, you have Vera Farmiga and J.K. Simmons to name just two people youre re-teaming with.
I love what they do with their voices.
I was excited to see how they would push, too, as actors.
I think, with J.K. and Vera, its two of the best roles theyve ever played.
With J.K., this is my seventh movie directing.
If you count the ones producing, its like 10 movies or something.
Hes clearly my muse.
Theres a whole lot of actors in the film.
Theyre all guys who are known for being funny.
In capturing the real life of their characters, theres lots of humor.
Im more interested in posing this question to the audience.
Gary Hart foresaw so much.
He met Steve Jobs back in the garage.
He foresaw the rise of terrorism in the Middle East.
He was smart on so many things.
I dont know who that person would be today.
He was thinking 30 years ahead.
Thats a movie we studied on a weekly basis.
Im obsessed with it and Ritchies early work.
It just put you in the moment like no other political movie Ive ever watched.
