You are the industry.
So that was great.
She always sensed hesitation in my voice.
Ji-young Yoo, Lulu Wang and Nicole Kidman.
I dont know if that scared her, that I couldnt reassure her.
I think Nicole understands that better than anyone.
Both are eager to work together again.
The superstar was moved when Wang informed her about the screenplay.
Ill go to that, Kidman responded.
Ill walk through fire to work with her again.
DEADLINE: So, Nic, did you read Janice Y.K.
Lees novelTheExpatriatesin galley form or when it was published?
NICOLE KIDMAN:Well, my sister [Antonia] read it.
My sister was in Singapore, living there.
And my sister read the novel and said, I think this would make a great film.
And so I called Janice and optioned it.
We called her book agent, and that was the beginning of it.
My sisters got really good taste.
I always say, you never know where the stories are to find them.
And the book had been out for a while, actually.
KIDMAN:I think it had, yeah, a couple of years.
But it was a must-read among many of the expats.
It was sort ofthebook.
And I traveled and lived with her in Singapore, and obviously had been to Hong Kong.
And I was just like, This is a whole world that isnt explored.
And theres so many different stories here that you might explore.
DEADLINE: This probably was what, 2018?
So, when wasThe Farewellfirst shown, Lulu?
LULU WANG:Sundance 2019.
And I think July 2019 is when the film came out in theaters.
You couldnt get in, just couldnt.
I finally got a seat and saw it and just said, Oh my god.
And that was it.
Then I asked, OK, what happens next?!
DEADLINE: Did you immediately think after seeingThe Farewell,OK, Ive just found our director?
KIDMAN:Yeah, yeah.
We have to, no matter what, make it, even if its compromised.
It was, No, theres only a particular way to make this.
And thats why I said, If you want it, its yours, and Ill support the vision.
DEADLINE: Lets just rewind a little.
I understand Lulu, that initially, you were hesitant about doing it, is that correct?
So that was over the phone.
And I believe that thats when she was like, OK, OK, but lets have dinner.
And then I talked to Barry [her partner Barry Jenkins] and Barry said, Go to dinner.
Yeah, Nicole invites you to dinner.
So I was like, But I already said no, all right, Ill go to dinner.
So, I went to dinner just to maintain the relationship hopefully for the future.
And then we had a few drinks and she said, Why is it that youre saying no?
I love some of the characters in the book, I could really see them having their own episodes.
I had ideas, but I just felt like theres no way.
And Im like, Yep, yep, yep.
It wasnt like needing accoutrements.
Theyre like, We love this, but make it more this other thing.
And thats what I wanted to double-check we could preserve in the adaptation.
DEADLINE: And Nicole, there was no problem from you with that sensibility?
You just said, Go ahead?
KIDMAN:That doesnt seem crazy to me.
Thats like, the talent needs to be supported, I think.
Everyone seems like, Thats such a bold movement.
KIDMAN:It doesnt seem crazy why Im like, But yeah, of course.
I dont know why…
WANG:But it is, its like a web, right?
Then they fight to bring on the Steadicam operator that they believe in, and it trickles down.
And thats what is so incredible.
KIDMAN:And we talk about doing it, but you got to do it.
And then I went, 18?
Thats too long, in my head.
DEADLINE: And youve been true to realizing that.
KIDMAN:Realizing it is just youve got to roll up your sleeves and do it.
And being consistent and determined to do it.
Im like, Yeah, if you support it.
And theyre like, Yeah, yes, go for it.
And hopefully theyll carry that forward too.
I grew up with a mother and a father who said, Well, just do it then.
Dont sit around and talk about it.
WANG:Her mom is the best.
KIDMAN:And not sugar-coat things.
Did you think, OK, is this legit?
Because, as you just said, you didnt really want to do it initially, did you?
WANG:It took me a while.
Nicole knows me now, too.
My personality is like Nicoles, in that I will just jump in.
I say, I want chickens, and within a week Im building the chicken coop.
Thats just the kind of person that I am.
I cant mess up in a way, and Im trying to let that go.
And Nicole and I talked early on, and I said, Well, are you a movie star?
Are you an actor?
How do you show up?
And she was like, Oh my god.
She was offended I asked that.
But I said, Well, this is how I shoot.
This is my work ethic.
And she said, Me too.
I mean, the first day on set, she showed up.
And its a seventh-floor apartment building in a totally…
KIDMAN:It was amazing.
WANG:And we wanted to check that Nicole was comfortable and all of that.
And we were like, Should we block the windows?
But we dont want to block the window.
We want to see outside.
But shes naked in a bathtub, OK maybe.
And she walks in, she said, Hi.
And she just took her clothes off and I thought, Oh.
KIDMAN:But I could see the room.
I could see what it was.
We needed to shoot it.
We had to get the light, and now lets loosen up.
And some of its going to work.
Some of its not.
Just start going, lets go.
Lets go, pick up the camera.
And that for me is fun.
Then its like, Oh, no, what are you expecting?
Ive got to be able to be really bad to become good.
Does that make sense?
KIDMAN:And just be ready to let go.
DEADLINE: What Nics just said is fascinating to me.
And I think its partly to do with her Australian upbringing.
There is no nonsense.
Just get it done.
KIDMAN:Its pragmatism.
DEADLINE: So, Lulu, what was your reaction after that first day in that building?
WANG:Well, I mean, it said to me that we were doing it.
We were going to roll up our sleeves.
And I was always like, OK, this is too good to be true.
Im going to ask for these things.
And at some point, the floor is going to collapse.
And its not because so many people talk about things and then it doesnt get done.
We wrote the scripts, Nicoles like, I love them.
Lets go make it.
We wrote the script in three months, and they were like, Lets go.
And I was saying, Im not shooting it.
And they said, Well, we were thinking maybe Malaysia, maybe we could build sets.
And so they said, Well, I guess we have to pivot.
So off we went, location scouting.
Oh, but its the middle of the pandemic.
OK, well lets apply for our permits.
There was a business Visa, so we did that.
Theres a 21-day quarantine.
Everybody was just moving trains.
And I think thats headed by Nicole.
KIDMAN:A typhoon came.
DEADLINE: A typhoon?
KIDMAN:Thats actually not abnormal in [that part of the world].
WANG:We had three typhoons while we were there.
Then we had to build that night market over and over again.
DEADLINE: Lulu, Nic is your leading actor in this piece.
How would you consult with her as an executive producer on the set?
How did that work?
I think that it just was very separate, and I sort of grew to know that.
If I see too many things, then Im not in her.
KIDMAN:And the power cannot be where… Youve got to let me come in and go, OK.
There was a whole team of people that could support her in that area.
KIDMAN:I was involved with that.
Lulu and I would talk because a lot of it is very good.
Yeah, I can see that.
And then that was us together going, What do you think?
What do you feel?
We would be able to review together and talk about it.
KIDMAN:And I love actors.
And then I can go, Oh, OK, yeah, I see what that is.
But Lulu had strong ideas on what needed to be physically there, what needed to be emotionally there.
And she would sort of steer and say, Well, this is what I need.
And Im like, Yeah, then OK, we need to maybe see that again.
Let her have another go and see.
And it was finding the right people for the role.
How involved were you in their casting?
And then I have to say, OK, lets go.
And Lulu had to go, This is what we need to support it, kindly.
And they did, which were very grateful for.
DEADLINE: There were no Amazon execs saying, You need stars or whatever?
It has to be called out and acknowledged because this was actually an incredible leap of faith for them.
WANG:And we would have conversations.
Its not like they went, Itd be great if we had a little bit more of a star.
And theyd be like, OK, we get it.
And so that was just wonderful to be able to have that back and forth and be respected.
DEADLINE: And whats so great, Nic and Lulu, is that your cast is so diverse.
Theyre not all Caucasian.
Sometimes you see this sort of casting just for the sake of it.
KIDMAN:Yes, absolutely.
And its why theyre so good, and its why its an ensemble thats working together.
It was all really, I mean, she placed it all knowing.
I mean, look at Ruby [Ruiz].
KIDMAN:Im going back to finishNine Perfect Strangers 2in Germany and Austria.
Its so beautiful there in the Austrian Alps right now.
DEADLINE: And what aboutBig Little Lies?
Is the third season happening?
KIDMAN:Next year.
DEADLINE:
OK. And are you two going to work together again?
KIDMAN:[Vigorously nodding] I hope so.
Id walk across hot coals to work with her again.
WANG:Im writing a movie for Nicole, she doesnt know.
KIDMAN:She better.
Ill go to that.
Ill walk through fire.
DEADLINE: Im going to ask my annual question about the stage quickly before you get on that plane.
Well, I just saw Sarah Snook [inThe Picture of Dorian Gray] and I was floored.
So now Im way too terrified.
Sarah was so amazing.
And then I go, Oh, got to go.
I got to go and do it.
What was that, in London seven years ago?
DEADLINE: A little stage deviation there, Lulu.
WANG:I mean, it is slightly terrifying because the roles are so different in terms of power.
Shes, as an executive producer, hiring me to direct.
I was hired to do this.
You gotta do this.
And so thats where I got a little bit nervous.
You tell me what you need me to do.
How do I help?
Who do I call?
It was initially scary, but I think that she balances it really well.
My mom, again, would say things like, Why are they trusting you?
Its just real life.
