Guy Pearce – AACTA Awards 2022 – Getty
The 'Memento' star almost exclusively appears in independent films – but why?
Guy Pearce explains why he avoids starring in big studio productions.
The 'Memento' actor has been acting in independent films for ten years. His last role in a franchise blockbuster was in the 2013 Marvel film “Iron Man 3.” The 57-year-old now explains to 'GQ' why he stays away from commercial films: “The process felt way too big for me.” I can't do anything with this idea of studio films where you just have people tell you what to do “What to do if you’re afraid of losing your job.”
The actor adds, “I remember in the beginning there were discussions about what I would look like.” A few of the executives said, 'No, he's just going to cut his hair and die and do that.' And I'm in the room and I say, 'Hello?' I immediately feel like my intuition means nothing here. This is a killer for me.”
In 2002, the star appeared in two major films: the book adaptations “Monte Cristo” and “The Time Machine”. The latter film turned out to be a flop and caused Guy to finally turn away from a classic Hollywood blockbuster career. “It was the first time that I really felt like there wasn't just a separation, but some kind of greater power up there that you couldn't even really talk to,” he explains.
Guy then withdrew from Hollywood for two years. When he was reused, he took on indie projects such as the western drama The Proposition and the role of Andy Warhol in Factory Girl.
