As we've seen in the past, method acting can be taken way too far at times. Austin Butler admitted to this for his role in Elvis. Butler still felt the impact of the film after the shoot and in fact, he once left the set in tears after he was heckled as a practice to get deeper into character for the film.
Nicole Kidman has made a fortune in the industry. However, it has been warranted, especially given the roles the actress has been able to portray in the last several years.
Kidman's role in The Undoing proved to be trickier, especially behind the scenes. We're going to take a look back Kidman's involvement, and how she became very ill because of the role. In addition, we'll take a closer look at her success in Hollywood, and the way the actress continues to pay it forward these days.
Nicole Kidman Isn't Afraid To Take Risks With Her Career
Nicole Kidman is on top of Hollywood, yet on a number of occasions, she felt as though her career was quietly coming to an end.
“I had that sort of in my early thirties where I was like, ‘Right, I think this is kind of going to be it. And then I had it again at 40. And I’ve run that gamut where you just go, ‘Now’s the time that I’m going to be put out to pasture.’”
These days, the opposite holds true as Kidman continues to star in top tier projects. The actress credits her ability to take risks when it comes to certain roles, as the reason why she continues to enjoy longevity in the business.
"I don’t know if it’s taking risks. I have this crazy, lateral mind that probably doesn’t know how to do a mainstream career path. I’ve never had it. I’ve always been the black sheep of the family. I was always the one who was slightly offbeat," Kidman tells Screen Daily.
"I’m left-handed, which I’m very proud of… I was raised by liberal parents with strong social consciences, so I’m probably drawn to characters that are flawed, and I can feel them and I just try to not have so much judgment."
However, that doesn't mean that Kidman's career has gone on smoothly. She faced lots of problems behind the scenes, including recently on the series, The Undoing.
Nicole Kidman Got Ill During Her Time In The Undoing, As Her Body Just Couldn't Get Out Character
Nicole Kidman goes deep into her characters and as she admitted, turning it off at home also tends to be a struggle. This is what took place during The Undoing, as Kidman had a hard time tuning back into her normal personality.
"Suddenly, I was in this place. There was sort of a disquietness to my personality where I was uneasy, and there was duress on who I was," Nicole explained on an episode of the WTF With Marc Maron podcast.
Ultimately, Kidman got very sick and could not get out of it.
"I actually got really sick [in the middle of filming]," she revealed. "I think this is a big thing that happens to actors. I went down for a week, because your immune system doesn't know the difference between acting and truth when you're doing those [draining roles]."
Kidman would also reveal that sleeping was very uneasy.
"I haven't learned to clean that out. It doesn't really work for me.I go home and I don't sleep well, and I'm not well. … It's that disturbing for me."
Kidman would go on to admit that her family played a major role in helping her overcome the emotions felt during her role in The Undoing.
Nicole Kidman Is Committed To Not Only Stellar Roles, But Also Paying It Forward And Giving Back
Of course, Kidman is appearing in top tier roles, but she also vowed to pay it forward, appearing in female-directed films or shows every 18-months. Clearly, Kidman has delivered on that promise.
She tells The Guardian, “It was my way of going, ‘Hold me accountable. My commitment to this industry is that I will give a platform for new voices to come forward and they can piggyback on me… That’s part of the ‘paying it forward."
“I could rest. Or I could actually do what I promised I’d do. Sure, I’m tired. But at the same time, I feel this strong sense that I need to stop talking about it, and actually… do it.”
Motivation also comes in the form of her children at home. "I have a 13 year old who wants to be a director – she’s really interested in comedy.” She opens her eyes very wide, as if to say, “Imagine!”
Clearly, Kidman has a lot left to give.