Did The Cast Of 'Uncut Gems' Actually Like Julia Fox?
One of the best movies of 2019, 'Uncut Gems' by the Safdie brothers put Julia Fox on the map.The Milan-born model was raised in New York, an upbringing that helped her perfect the role of a lifetime (and, crucially, her very first acting credit in a movie): that of Julia De Fiore, the girlfriend of Adam Sandler's character in the film.Fox recently made headlines for her short-lived romance with Ye (formerly known as Kanye West) and the 'Interview' magazine article she wrote about their relationship.Nearly two years after the release of the film that skyrocketed her popularity (and gave way for her viral 'Uncah Jamz' video), let's look back at what cast and crew of 'Uncut Gems' have said about Fox.
6 Josh Safdie On Casting Julia Fox In 'Uncut Gems'
Set in NYC's Diamond District, 'Uncut Gems' follows Sandler's Howard Ratner, a gambling addict who runs a jewelry store where Julia also works. Seriously indebted, Howard struggles to pay back his loan shark brother-in-law and becomes obsessed with an opal smuggled from Ethiopia, which is also the object of desire of NBA star Kevin Garnett (who plays himself pre-retirement).
What stems from such a premise is a 134-minute pulse-pounding ride as we follow Howard trying to repay his debts and getting back with his soon-to-be ex-wife Dinah ('Frozen' star Idina Menzel) and tragically failing at both. Julia, however, remains by his side, setting up for a jaw-dropping finale.
Recently, Fox said that she was Josh and Benny Safdie's muse and that she has inspired the character of Julia De Fiore. While Josh Safdie confirmed Julia read the script in Los Angeles in 2014 and asked him if he had been spying on her given the similarities, the character wasn't deliberately inspired by her.
However, both Safdies knew Fox before 'Uncut Gems', so it's possible they were indirectly inspired by her when writing the role of De Fiore.
"When she finished [reading the script], Julia asked me if I had been spying on her because she thought that there were so many strange similarities with the character," Josh Safdie told 'The New York Times' in 2019.
"But she gave me good feedback, so I would call her on a whim when I had writer's block, and I would ask her for advice. The character was just kind of constantly evolving to become more specific to her."
5 Adam Sandler Changed The Name Of Fox's Character In 'Uncut Gems'
Despite the similarities to the real Julia, the 'Uncut Gems' character wasn't always called Julia, too. The original name given to the jewelry store clerk was Sadie and it was Sandler who changed it.
"My character's name was originally supposed to be Sadie," Fox told 'Entertainment Tonight'.
"But that's his daughter's name, so he actually had it switched for that to make it easier on the girls."
"And I said, 'You can’t have my daughter’s name in this movie,'" Sandler confirmed, saying he doesn't want his kids to see the film "until [they are] maybe 60 or 70."
He then added: "[There's] some dirty stuff, yes. I was filthy in this movie. And yes, it doesn't look great, but it's a good movie."
4 Sandler On Bizarre "Pickle" Incident With Julia Fox
In a roundtable with 'Entertainment Weekly', the cast and directors of 'Uncut Gems' revealed the secrets of the film.
Sandler explained that the Safdie brothers wanted him to get a sense of the character he was going to play and asked him to shadow NYC jewellers and gamblers. Fox went with him on at least one occasion, watching a basketball game with a group of gamblers.
"I remember when you first called Julia to do this, how she said, 'Can I have pickles when I'm there?' Sandler told the filmmakers.
"Do you remember that?" then he said, addressing Fox, who replied, without missing a beat: "Of course, how can I forget?"
It doesn't get more New York than this.
3 Sandler Said It Was "Real" To Work With Fox
Fox played her character with honesty and commitment, incorporating elements from her own life into the script.
During a chat with 'Variety', the cast of the film, including Sandler, Menzel and Lakeith Stanfield, as well as the Safdie brothers, gave Fox a round of applause for her performance.
"She was great and I loved getting to know her," Sandler said.
"We were amazingly raw and real, Julia… This is what, is it your first film?" prompting the cast to congratulate her.
2 Kevin Garnett Praised Julia Fox’s Acting
But Sandler wasn't the only one impressed with Fox's acting talent.
Basketball legend Garnett was blown away by Fox's performance, with the two of them bonding over being first-time actors on 'Uncut Gems'.
"[...] I don't know anything about making movies, but I was just watching you and thinking, this is your first time acting? Are you serious?" Garnett told his co-star in an interview with 'Business Insider'.
"You killed it, Julia," he added.
1 Sandler Joked That Fox Ruined The Most Takes
Asked which actor ruined the most takes while filming, the cast of 'Uncut Gems' had no doubt.
"Probably me," Fox said in a chat with 'Collider'.
"For sure, Julia," Sandler joked, before adding: "There was no ruiners. I don't think they called 'Cut!' in the middle of anything."
The 'Punch-Drunk Love' actor explained that if someone made a mistake, "[the Safdie brothers] would let it go and find something out of it."
"Exactly," Fox said.
"There was like, magic in everything. There was something special about each [take]."
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