Bradley Cooper has said he directed his new Leonard Bernstein biopic Maestro in the late conductor’s voice, after being inspired by Christian Bale’s method in 2013’s American Hustle.
Speaking to fellow director Spike Lee, Cooper, 48, recalled being impressed by Bale’s dedication to staying in character.
“American Hustle was the first time I saw an actor stay in the voice of a character,” he said in the interview for Variety. “It was Christian Bale. I had heard stories about Daniel Day-Lewis. I couldn’t figure out how someone could do that. Then I realized I was overthinking it.
“Christian just stayed in the voice, but we talked about his kids. It wasn’t like he saw an iPhone and had a heart attack. Ever since American Hustle, that’s how I’ve done it as an actor.”
In David O Russell’s crime caper, Cooper played FBI Agent Richie DiMaso who forces con artist Irving Rosenfeld to set up an elaborate sting operation on corrupt politicians.
Given that Cooper stars as Bernstein in Maestro as well as directing the film, Lee asked whether he gave instructions on set while staying in character.
“Yes,” replied Cooper. “I was playing Lenny throughout his life. I would spend three to six hours in the makeup trailer every day before the crew arrived. It was hilarious, because on days when I was young Lenny, the energy of the set was faster and we got more done. And then when I was old Lenny, it had a slower gear.
Bradley Cooper and Cooper as Leonard Bernstein in ‘Maestro'— (Getty/Netflix)
“If you ask the crew or cast, Lenny directed the movie.”
Earlier this month, Cooper revealed he also attended his six-year-old daughter’s graduation while dressed as Leonard Bernstein.
Speaking to Deadline, Cooper explained that he had scheduled shooting to be nearby.
“But we were still shooting. So, I attended her graduation in full make-up as Lenny,” the Silver Linings Playbook star said. “So much so that some of the mothers must have thought: ‘Who is that guy?’ Seriously. I was Lenny. Full Lenny. It was crazy.”
Cooper shares daughter Lea De Seine with model and ex-girlfriend Irina Shayk. The former couple, who split in 2019 after four years together, continue to co-parent their daughter while living in New York City.
The A Star is Born director initially sparked controversy for wearing a prosthetic nose to portray the West Side Story composer in the biopic, which will be available to stream on Netflix on 20 December. In an interview with CBS Mornings on 21 November, Cooper clarified that he “just didn’t look right” without the prosthetic nose.
