Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso Bradley Cooper as ‘Maestro’ from The New Yorker Radio Hour
Dec 24, 2023
Bradley Cooper and David Remnick discuss Cooper's new film Maestro, his fascination with music, and his portrayal of Leonard Bernstein. They also talk about conducting, preparing for scenes, and Cooper's transition from actor to director.
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Spielberg's Nudge Started The Project
- Steven Spielberg asked Cooper to read an existing script and suggested he play Bernstein, which prompted Cooper to pursue his own version.
- Cooper then sought Bernstein's children's trust before developing a script he actually believed in.
Persist When Pitching Big Risks
- Persist when pitching risky projects; Cooper kept asking studios despite many 'no' responses.
- Bring clear enthusiasm and preparation to sway decision-makers, as Cooper did with Netflix.
Family Approval Calmed Prosthetics Backlash
- Early stills sparked controversy over Cooper's prosthetic nose and accusations of 'Jew face.'
- Bernstein's son Alex wrote a supportive letter, and Cooper had an emotional phone call with him.