Actor Michael Shannon explores faith and despair in directorial debut 'Eric LaRue'

Record ID: 1987820

  • Title: Actor Michael Shannon explores faith and despair in directorial debut 'Eric LaRue'
  • Date: 2nd April 2025
  • Summary: UNKNOWN LOCATIONS (MARCH 21, 2025) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) ACTOR, ALEXANDER SKARSGARD, SAYING: “I was just floored by it. It was so heartbreaking. And it felt like such a different take on a, sadly very common problem in our society. But the fact that it focused on the family of the perpetrator and the perpetrators itself by the end of the movie, just really showed
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: Judy Greer aleks skarsgard eric larue film michael shannon movie school shooting
  • Location: UNKNOWN LOCATIONS
  • City: UNKNOWN LOCATIONS
  • Country: US
  • Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Film,North America
  • Reuters ID: LVA006371002042025RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Actor Michael Shannon makes his directorial debut with "Eric LaRue," adapted from Brett Neveu’s 2002 play. The film, featuring Judy Greer and Alexander Skarsgård, explores the emotional turmoil experienced by the parents of a school shooter.
    “It just knocked me for a loop, you know, when I read it, it just felt so, so important. And it felt like it spoke to the kind of sadness that I feel might be prevalent right now in our society. So, I just thought it was an important thing to make,” said Shannon.
    Greer said the role of faith and religion is what intrigued her about the film.
    “I know some of us on set have a real history in our childhood and with people in our lives - religion, church, and that was something I was very curious about, and I still am when I think of this movie and talk about this movie and watch this movie. And how people look for comfort and relief in the church, still, even,” said the actress.
    Skarsgård was moved by the script's focus on the family of the perpetrator.
    "I was just floored by it. It was so heartbreaking. And it felt like such a different take on a, sadly very common problem in our society," he said.
    Skarsgård also reflected on the personal sacrifice he made to join the project just seven weeks after the birth of his son.
    "It was difficult to get away, but it was, God damn it, it was worth it. It was incredible, two intense weeks, but what an adventure and what a journey.”
    Throughout the making of "Eric LaRue," Shannon's unique approach to directing made a significant impact on the cast.
    “He would come in and whisper little things, little ideas and just like a completely different approach to it. And there's no, there's nothing more fun than when you get an idea like that that you might not have thought of before,” said Skarsgård.
    Agreeing with Skarsgård, Greer added, “I remember wanting, like, 'cause the whisper directions were like so personal that I was like, I'm going to try to guess what he whispered in Alex's ear on this take. What's gonna change so that I can guess what the direction is because it was always so fun it felt like we were in an acting class sometimes.”
    Following the experience, Shannon said he was left with many questions regarding why school shootings happen in the first place.
    “You know, a lot of time and energy is spent trying to debate how to stop it from happening. And that's understandable, of course, that's the case. But I think in addition to the practicalities of all of that there's something underneath that that's even more puzzling, which is, regardless of what the laws are, why does this happen?”
    "Eric LaRue" will be released in U.S. theaters on April 4th.
    (Production: Alicia Powell)
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