Director Steven Spielberg has cast actress Eve Hewson in his upcoming film Disclosure Day, after becoming a fan of her performance in the television series Bad Sisters, according to an interview with RTÉ Entertainment in London.
Hewson plays a former nun named Jane alongside Josh O'Connor in the extraterrestrial thriller, which hits cinemas on Wednesday.
>>> Boat Strike Kills American Airlines Flight Attendant in Florida
Spielberg previously worked with Hewson on the 2015 film Bridge of Spies, where she portrayed the daughter of Tom Hanks' character.
Spielberg's Inspiration for the Film
The film marks Spielberg's return to the extraterrestrial genre following past projects like Close Encounters of the Third Kind, E.
T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and War of the Worlds.
Spielberg developed the original story himself, while David Koepp wrote the screenplay for the project.
The director stated that the concept of Earth-bound alien encounters has remained a permanent fixation throughout his career.
Real-world media coverage of unexplained aerial phenomena served as a specific catalyst for creating the new movie.
"Navy pilots photographed what they think was an off-world vehicle they affectionally called a 'Tic-Tac' because it looked like the breath mint, that outmanoeuvred anything we've ever built," said Spielberg.
A specific report in the press convinced the filmmaker that it was time to develop the narrative.
"When that hit The New York Times, I suddenly said, 'Ok, we're getting close to something, and I think there's a story here,'" said Spielberg.
>>> Rush Launches Reunion Tour with Emotional Tribute to Neil Peart
Cast and Crew Reactions
Co-star Josh O'Connor praised Hewson for her performance and her supportive presence on the movie set.
"As Steven said, she's an extraordinary actor but she's also so fun to work with. She's also a brilliant friend and very supportive," said O'Connor.
O'Connor stated that Hewson assisted him whenever he experienced personal difficulties during filming.
"I'm quite an anxious person and when I was feeling anxious, she would really lift me up. She's terrific," said O'Connor.
The thematic focus of the film deals with faith, causing O'Connor to reflect on how humanity would react to concrete proof of alien life.
"I'm someone who is interested in faith generally and fascinated by mystery. I had a conflict early on around my feelings about things.
I really believe in mystery, and I feel as though we're losing a sense of mystery in modern life," said O'Connor.
O'Connor concluded by noting that working alongside Spielberg was the primary incentive for joining the cast.
>>> Severe Rain and Flash Floods Inundate Central US Communities
"It really is the dream for any actor. It's beyond the dream," said O'Connor.
