Ben Stiller Reveals Why He Stepped Back from Lead Roles Until Being Offered New Film Nutcrackers: ‘Intuition Hit Me’
Ben Stiller has appeared in a number of popular films such as Zoolander, Dodgeball, The Royal Tenenbaums, and Night at the Museum. Despite being involved in various projects as a director and producer, he is returning to acting with the upcoming film Nutcrackers after a seven-year break. At the film’s premiere during the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Stiller shared that his decision to step away from leading roles in films was intentional.
“A few years ago, I made the decision to only take on projects that truly inspired me,” he told the audience at the premiere. So, what was it about Nutcrackers that stood out to him? Stiller remembered feeling a strong connection to the holiday-themed comedy when director David Gordon Green presented the idea to him. Upon receiving an email from Gordon Green about the project, Stiller said his intuition immediately kicked in, leading him to want to be a part of the film. “The script resonated with me, and the chance to collaborate with David was another compelling reason,” he explained. “The film felt emotionally authentic and genuine.”
The movie also features Homer, Ulysses, and twins Atlas and Arlo Janson, who all received praise and standing ovations at the TIFF premiere alongside Stiller and Green at Toronto’s Roy Thomson Hall. According to the official synopsis, Nutcrackers is based on true events and follows the story of four siblings who find unexpected sources of love and support in unlikely places.
“This heartwarming comedy-drama draws inspiration from real-life events and weaves a captivating narrative that resonates with everyone,” the synopsis reads. Stiller had the opportunity to work closely with the four children, who were inexperienced in acting but still managed to impress him. “I think they’re incredible,” the Zoolander star remarked.
The decision to film at the Janson family’s farm in Ohio was a deliberate choice to capture an authentic and genuine setting. “It felt like the most natural decision. There was something so authentic about making this movie—it was a truly unique experience,” Stiller added.