Two months after its release, the event mini-series Monsters: The Story of Lyle and Erik Menendez continues to excite fans. Javier Bardem, who plays the family patriarch, explains why he hasn't met the two murderous brothers.
Javier Bardem goes from everything to everything. Penélope Cruz's husband stars in new animated musical film Ellian and the Spellwhich has been available on Netflix since November 22 in France. A first for the Spanish actor, because he has never lent his voice to an animated character. This children's fairy tale marks a big departure from Javier Bardem's latest project. In Monsters: The Story of Lyle and Erik Menendezreleased at the end of September on the platform, he played the father of the two young murderers, who sexually abused his sons.
“I don’t need to talk to anyone.” : Javier Bardem cash on the Menendez brothers
If actor Cooper Koch actually visited Erik Menendez, whom he plays in the series, in prison, this is not the case for the entire cast. While Ryan Murphy had already explained that he did not wish to meet Lyle and his brother, it is now Javier Bardem who reveals to Variety that he didn't contact them either. “I didn't want […] First of all, I didn't know much or anything about the story when Ryan Murphy told me about it, because it wasn't very publicized in Spain.confides the actor. He then explains that he had inquired about the role of José Menendez, but there was little material about him. How did he bring this terrifying character to life? He says he did “research trust” by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, the co-creator of this second season of Monsters. However, this is not the only reason that convinced Javier Bardem not to meet Lyle and Erik, as he explains in the interview: “I don’t need to talk to anyone. And then I was […] the word isn't 'scared', but I never thought for a second that I would get to sit with the murderers”.
Monsters: The Story of Lyle and Erik Menendez : a grueling shoot
This dark story almost undermined the morale of the entire cast, if it were not for the support provided by Javier Bardem. The father of two made sure his younger co-stars, Alexander Chavez and Cooper Koch, who play Lyle and Erik respectively, didn't fall into their character's turmoil. “At the start of filming, I said: 'Guys, let's remember… and try to remember that we are loved, that we have families who take care of us […] Let's not forget that it's a game. It's fiction'”he remembers saying to the two young actors.
Also discover our interview with Javier Bardem and Chloë Sevigny.
Article written in collaboration with 6Medias.
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