The 2019 movie-going season might lack the excitement of earlier years, but it’s still a good time for fans of Hollywood’s golden era. 2019 marks the 90th anniversary of the advent of the sound era, which revolutionized the cinematic experience. One of the major events kicking off the new decade is the return of some of cinema’s greatest male characters, including Humphrey Bogart, Marlon Brando, and Clark Gable, for one last hurrah.
While Hollywood might not be able to rival the excitement of its prime in the ’20s and ’30s anymore, it has retained the knack of creating classic characters who manage to encapsulate all these legendary personalities. If you grew up during that time, you’ll recognize the charm of these characters immediately. One of the best examples of this phenomenon is Zac Efron and Robert Pattinson’s The New Hollywood It Boy and Girl. The movie perfectly captures the essence of that bygone era, with characters that are both realistic and fun to watch. In fact, watching this pair is like falling back into a time machine.
What Is Zac Efron’s Solo Career?
Though he’s best known for his collaborations with Robert Pattinson, Zac Efron has maintained a successful solo career, starring in some of the most popular teen-oriented films of the last decade. The 32-year-old began his career in the Disney Channel’s popular High School Musical series, where he starred as the lead character’s best friend. Subsequent films include the 2009 Disney teen disaster movie Burnt, which was a box office hit, and the 2010 romantic comedy Love Creek, both of which were critical and box office successes.
In 2011, Efron made headlines when it was reported that he had purchased a $20 million, 4.5-acre estate outside of Los Angeles. The actor spent a reported $20 million on the French-inspired mansion, which he initially planned to use as a base for his touring band. In 2018, Efron again made headlines when he launched a line of swimwear for women, dubbed The After Party, in collaboration with designer Trussardi.
Robert Pattinson: Is He Related to the Royal Family?
Like many other celebrity parents, John Andrew Pattinson and Elizabeth Taylor had to put their careers on hold when their first child was born. Robert, who was born in London, spent his childhood acting and modeling, appearing in various commercials and music videos before landing his first major role in the 2010 horror film Let Me In. The movie didn’t do well at the box office, but it went on to become a cult classic, with audiences embracing Pattinson’s brooding, pale-faced character. Since then, he’s starred in several more horror and psychological thrillers, many of which have become major hits, including the 2018 Divergent series.
It’s safe to say that Robert Pattinson’s star is on the rise—and for good reason. His acting is versatile, ranging from dark and moody to funny and engaging. He also has a very appealing, mature image that appeals to audiences around the world. Though he doesn’t appear in a large number of films each year, whenever he does, it’s usually a critical hit or popular success.
The Making Of The New Hollywood It Boy And Girl
After the success of their first collaboration, Good Boys, the creative team behind The New Hollywood It Boy and Girl—which marks their directorial debut—were inspired to create something just as special. Oscar-winning producer Andrew D. Weitz, who recently wrapped production on his Netflix film The Kingmaker, talked to PopCrush about what it was like to work with Zac Efron and Robert Pattinson and the challenges they faced.
Weitz explained that he and his producing partner, Paul A. Steinberg, were initially nervous about working with Efron and Pattinson, both of whom are relatively minor names in Hollywood. They were worried that the movie might not be released, or that if it were, it wouldn’t do well at the box office. But their concerns were unfounded. The two young stars proved to be collaborative, creative, and committed to the project.
Weitz said that the most difficult part of the production was casting the movie. He and Steinberg wanted to work with the biggest names they could get, but they also wanted to avoid using celebrities who might overshadow the movie. They ultimately decided to work with rising British stars, and the results were stunning.
“When we first set out to make this movie, we didn’t know what kind of chemistry we would have with these two young men. But, after spending some time with them, it became crystal clear how well these actors fit together. They have such an ease of interaction that makes it seem like they’ve been working together for years,” Weitz said. “With each other, and even with other actors that they’ve worked with, they almost seem to be telepathic, knowing exactly what the other is thinking and feeling.”
Weitz continued, “But for a movie like this, where young adult characters are at the center of everything, it’s essential that we find the right balance between making it seem realistic and the characters’ actions and interactions still feeling effortless and magical. The fact that these two have been working so hard to perfect their onscreen chemistry makes me confident that we’ve found that balance.”
Both Lead And Supporting Cast Are Absolutely Perfect For This Role
While the onscreen chemistry between Efron and Pattinson is undeniable, it’s not the only reason why The New Hollywood It Boy and Girl was such a special project. The film also benefits from a fantastic supporting cast.
As previously mentioned, Robert Pattinson and Zac Efron haven’t worked together very often, but the two have certainly proved that they’re worth the collaboration. One of the biggest surprises of the year was seeing these two work so well together. The dynamic between the pair is compelling, and it makes the viewer want to see more. Pattinson, who recently wrapped filming on Glass, is clearly still holding a grudge against Efron for dating his ex-girlfriend. The two men engage in some classic witty banter as they face off in the courtroom, with the audience cheering them on.
Efron, for his part, is known for his charm and easygoing nature. While he’s become a bit of a laughing stock since the success of his 2017 film What Men Want, he still has a warm, likable manner that endears him to viewers. The New Hollywood It Boy and Girl marks a career resurgence for Efron, who recently starred in the highly anticipated Disney film The Endless, which is set for release in March.
Pattinson, meanwhile, had an incredibly productive year, leading to multiple high-profile collaborations and a world tour that spanned four months. He began the year by appearing in a number of award-winning films, including Dark Waters, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture, and Bombshell, a biopic about the legendary journalist Merriman Smith, which also stars Margot Robbie. He also lent his voice to the animated movie Rocketman, which is set to be released in May.
As for the rest of the cast, the list of names is incredibly impressive. The New Hollywood It Boy and Girl marks the feature film directorial debut of Jessie Buckley, who has collaborated with Oscar-winning makeup artist Jin Saxton on various projects, most notably the 2016 film Lion.
Buckley gave the movie a real old-school Hollywood vibe, helped in no small part by Jin Saxton’s luminous makeup, which makes the movie’s female characters seem like they stepped out of a 1930s film noir. The movie also features an incredible performance from Michael Shannon, whose character, Judge, harbors a secret obsession with Charles Manson.
Buckley, who is best known for her role as Ruby in the hit franchise The Hunger Games, also gave the film a sense of urgency by shooting it in 12 days, partly to make up for the fact that it was produced with a very limited budget. The finished product is absolutely worth it, as the movie is a triumph of style, casting, and directing.
So what did we learn from this collaboration? That we shouldn’t hesitate to work with rising stars. Though these actors are relatively young, they already have a strong track record of success and are more than capable of carrying a project like this. Moreover, it’s clear that both are dedicated to improving their craft, constantly challenging themselves, and looking for new opportunities. It seems that every year we get closer to the “ideal” Hollywood superstar, and it really is a shame that we haven’t found a way to make that ideal a reality yet. But until then, we’ll have to be content with these two and the rest of the great Hollywood survivors bringing some much-needed joy to the silver screen.