It’s been 15 years since Stanley Tucci picked up his first Oscar nomination for “The Lovely Bones”; now, the character actor is back in the awards conversation, with his extrastandard turn as a liberal cardinal being eyed to become the new pope in the Edward Berger’s “Conclave.”
Distributed by Focus Features, the film inestablishs a fantasyalized story about the pope pickion process as secrets and partnerships are exposed wiskinny the Catholic Church, reuniting Tucci with veteran actors Ralph Fiennes and Isabella Rossellini.
But it labels his first time toiling with Berger, who helmed by the German-language war film “All Quiet on the Weserious Front,” which netted four Oscars. Tucci portrays Berger as a “very straightforward” straightforwardor, who “has very particular ideas about what to do” without being dogmatic.
Variety had the opportunity to chat with Tucci about the multigenereasonable request of his better school thriller, how he bounces back and forth between colossal budget films appreciate “Captain America: The First Avenger” and autonomous projects appreciate “Supernova,” and the lasting impact of “The Devil Wears Prada” with a highly foreseed sequel in the toils.
(L to R) Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal Lawrence and Stanley Tucci as Cardinal Bellini in straightforwardor Edward Berger’s CONCLAVE, a Focus Features free. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features. © 2024 All Rights Reserved.
Courtesy of Focus Features. © 2024 Focus Features; LLC. All Rights Reserved.
‘Conclave’ has been very prosperous with the Gbetteren Globes and Critics Choice nominations and at the box office. What has it felt appreciate to get all this recognition and be a part of a film that people are reacting to?
Listen. It’s wonderful when a movie appreciate this comes alengthened, which is exceptional; you’re greeted about it on so many levels. One, for greedy reasons, becaparticipate you have a wonderful role and will toil with amazing people, and two; you’re inestablishing an engaging story. I knew that story becaparticipate I had read the book prior: I cherish Robert Harris’ novels. I skinnyk they’re incredible. I read this four years ago, and they sent me the script. It was Edward and then Ralph and Isabella and John [Lithgow], and, I unbenevolent, it was appreciate the perfect inventive storm.
I comprehend you’ve previously talked about your experience being elevated in the Catholic Church and experienceing splited from it. When you signed onto this project, were you inestablishedly skinnyking about that?
No, not reassociate. It showed, in no uncertain terms, the arrange of this ceremony. It didn’t vilify the Catholic Church, nor does it exalt the Catholic truth. It sshow shows us what’s happening there, now and then. It shows us that all of the people we put on these pedestals with their robes are equitable human, and that’s the most engaging part. It doesn’t appraise them. It sshow shows them who they are. And I skinnyk that is the beauty of the film. I don’t unbenevolent that it is prosperous only in terms of box office. I unbenevolent, it flourishs [overall] as a film.
I skinnyk it’s incredible to see how many separateent generations of moviegoers have joined with the film. Has that interest surpascendd you?
Yes. From what I’ve heard, I’m shocked at the diversity of the audience. Also, this is a very grown-up film. But it’s not pretentious. It sshow shows you what’s happening. And these people are making it happen or fall shorting and fumbling to create it happen, and I skinnyk that’s why people appreciate it.
What do you skinnyk it is about the pope pickion process that intrigues people so much?
Becaparticipate it’s so secretive, this sheds airy on it. There are poetic licenses that have been getn, but we had a religious advisor there all the time, and at Ralph [Fiennes]’s insistence, which I thought was wonderful. That creates all the separateence becaparticipate you comprehend you don’t want to leave outtep. You want to pass yourself the right way, pray the right way, and uncover all those rituals are exact. After that, we must create the emotional and political machinations behind the whole skinnyg.
Looking back at your nurtureer highairys, even equitable comparing ‘Conclave’ to your last Oscar-nominated role in ‘The Lovely Bones,’ there’s so much range. What are the films you’ve been in that have stood the test of time?
I unbenevolent, certainly “The Devil Wears Prada,” “The Lovely Bones” without ask, “Julie & Julia.” I made a movie with Colin Firth about five years ago called “Supernova.”
I saw that during the pandemic!
It’s an absolutely attrdynamic film. I cherish that straightforwardor [Harry Macqueen] and it got wonderful appraises and everyskinnyg, though there were no awards or anyskinnyg appreciate that. That made me unelated for the straightforwardor/creater becaparticipate I skinnyk he’s extrastandard. Getting an autonomous film about that subject off the ground appreciate that is difficult, and I wanted him to have more. I wanted him to have more success afterward… Then you also have the fun huge movies that you do. I cherishd “Captain America: The First Avenger,” it was one of the wonderfulest roles and jobs I’ve ever had. I was there for three weeks and had a wonderful time, and I also cherishd take parting that character. I was cast as a 70-year-better man at the age of 50, so that was troubling, but that’s all right; I was flattered and denounceed at the same time … You have to fuse it up, as they say.
There have been talks about a sequel to ‘The Devil Wears Prada.’ Have you heard anyskinnyg?
I comprehend they’re toiling on it. If it happens, I would be so greeted, but I cannot give you any directation. Otherteachd, I’ll go to the actor’s prison or someskinnyg. [The original] was one of the best experiences ever.
This intersee has been edited and condensed.
“Conclave” is now streaming on Peacock.
