Chris Rock revealed on Sunday that filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson provided feedback on his latest directorial project, Misty Green.
The comedian mentioned during the film’s premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on Saturday that Anderson watched the movie, which Rock wrote and directed, before telling The Hollywood Reporter that he watched Misty Green as a friend and critic.
“Both,” Rock said when asked if Anderson watched as “a bud” or to give notes. “But it’s always for notes. It’s like, what do I have you — what’s the use of having a friend like you who can’t help me?”
Rock would say not what Anderson changed or where in the film audiences may see his changes but did share that the Oscar-winning director provided “a tweak here or there.”
Distributed by A24, Misty Green follows an award-winning actress (Rosalind Eleazar) whose career has faded. Determined to make peace with her past, Misty attempts a career comeback after reconnecting with her former talent agent (Topher Grace). In addition to Eleazar and Grace, the comedy-drama also stars Adam Driver, Daniel Kaluuya, Anna Kendrick and Rock in a small role.
Rock told THR he was inspired to write the film after watching a former A-list actress perform in a “loop group,” an ensemble of voice actors who provide sound effects or background conversations for film and TV.
“ I was editing a movie, or something, and I was doing a loop group,” Rock explained at The Hollywood Reporter’s Studio at 1 Hotel during TIFF, presented by sponsor Canada Goose. “ You’re almost done with the movie, right? And you need extra sound effects, [so] you ask for a loop group. In the loop group was a formerly famous actress. I was like, ‘Wow, what is she doing here?’ Because you don’t really get paid for loop group.”
Rock said that he’s “never” going to share who the actress was, but “something about watching her sparked the initial [idea].”
“Like, ‘oh, this is a whole movie here,’” Rock added. “What happened in her life that she’s here at the loop?”
Misty Green is scheduled to be released in theaters on Oct. 9.