Oscar winner says script issues can often be improved while passion for acting keeps him working into his late career
Pop Culture & ArtAugust 07, 20262 min readPhoto: Reuters
Morgan Freeman has offered an unusually candid look at how he chooses film roles, admitting that financial compensation can sometimes outweigh concerns about a screenplay. The Academy Award winning actor said that while a strong script is always welcome, the reality of working in Hollywood means several factors influence his decision, including how much a project is willing to pay.
Speaking in an interview with The New York Times, Freeman explained that actors often balance artistic ambition with practical considerations. He acknowledged that an exciting script is ideal, but said payment remains an important part of the equation when deciding whether to accept a role.
“If somebody offers you a job, it’s very nice if they’re offering you also an exciting script, but in reality, two or three things come into play,” Freeman said. “What are they going to pay you? If they’re going to pay you enough, then you overlook some of the glitches in the script that happen to be there.”
The veteran actor also stressed that scripts are not always fixed before production begins. He noted that performers can raise concerns about scenes or dialogue that do not work for them and, in many cases, those issues can be addressed before filming starts.
“Sometimes you can mention things that are in the script that don’t quite work out for you and by and large, that gets worked out,” Freeman added.
Freeman’s remarks come after a career spanning more than five decades, during which he has become one of Hollywood’s most respected performers. He has received five Academy Award nominations and won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his performance in Million Dollar Baby. Audiences also know him for memorable roles in The Shawshank Redemption, Driving Miss Daisy, Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy and the Now You See Me franchise.
Despite approaching his 90th birthday, Freeman has repeatedly said he has no intention of stepping away from acting. During the same interview, he explained that continuing to work remains his priority as long as he is physically able and filmmakers continue offering him roles.
Referencing Clint Eastwood’s well known advice, Freeman said, “I’m like Clint Eastwood on that: Don’t let the old man in.” He added that as long as he can get out of bed, stay active and receive offers, he plans to continue working.
His comments echo similar remarks made in an earlier interview with The Guardian, where he dismissed the idea of retirement. Freeman explained that thoughts of leaving the profession occasionally cross his mind, but they quickly disappear whenever a new project arrives.
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