Julia Louis-Dreyfus is excited to debut her latest project, You Hurt My Feelings, which is set to premiere Sunday at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.
The 62-year-old actress plays a novelist in the comedy whose marriage is turned upside down after hearing her husband give his candid reaction to her latest book.
“I believe in small stories about really big things,” she explained in an interview with Variety of why she chose to star in the independent film directed by Nicole Holofcener, who also directed the award-winning film Enough Said (2013). ) with the late James directed Gandolfini.
A closer look: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, 62, has appeared on the cover of Variety as she discusses her comedy You Hurt My Feelings, which debuts at the Sundance Film Festival on Sunday
Her film: “I believe in small stories about big things,” she said of her role in the independent film
Julia, who won 11 Emmy Awards for her role on Seinfeld, The New Adventures of Old Christine and Veep, fronts the cover of Variety’s The Sundance Issue and talks about her latest work as well as other upcoming projects.
The actress, who got her big break on Saturday Night Live in 1982, focused primarily on television roles in her early career. She is married to SNL colleague Brad Hall, 64, and they share two sons, Charlie, 25, and Henry, 30.
“I started having my kids during Seinfeld, so I really wasn’t doing films,” she explained.
“I gave up a lot of projects because we were shooting 22 episodes a year, you had those few months off and I couldn’t face the thought of going back to work. It wasn’t emotionally comfortable for me. Being a mother of children who also works outside the home is quite a task.”
Marvel: Julia has joined the Marvel Universe as Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine and has been campaigning for her to “kick some ass” in the upcoming Thunderbolts, joking that it might earn her some “respect” from her family
Family life: Julia has been married to Saturday Night Live colleague Brad Hall, 64, since 1987. They have two sons, Charlie, 25, and Henry, 30
The environmental activist, now in remission after undergoing breast cancer treatment, has entered the Marvel Universe as Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, appearing in Black Widow and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
The funny lady revealed that when she was first cast for the role, she had to wear a black hooded cape in the studio so no one knew who she was. Now that she’s portrayed the villain character twice, Julia lobbied for her to “kick ass” in the upcoming Thunderbolts.
“I told them I really want to fight. I haven’t seen the script yet – we’ll see if that happens,” as she jokingly added, “Ugh. I guess I should get in better shape.”
The multifaceted star admitted she was pursuing the role “to see if I can get some respect from these people in my family.”
Emmy Winner: The versatile actress has won 11 Emmy Awards to date for her role in Seinfeld, The New Adventures of Old Christine and Veep
TV vs. Film: Julia’s career has been primarily focused on TV roles. “I started having my kids during Seinfeld, so I really didn’t do any movies,” she said, explaining that after 22 episodes she couldn’t face the thought of working during the break
Veep Fan: The Mark Twain Prize-winner for American Humor was delighted to learn that Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, are huge fans of Veep. “She told me that they love ‘Veep’ and that it’s more DC than anyone would admit.”
The Mark Twain Prize-winner for American Humor was delighted to learn that Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, are huge fans of Veep.
“She told me that they love Veep and that it’s more like DC than anyone cares to admit,” the star shared.
Though the busy actress said she’s received pitches about a comedy reboot, she’s not sure now is the right time, claiming the nation would need “several years of normality in Washington before we could reconsider anything.”
Julia, whose character will walk the fine line of political correctness as Jonah Hill’s mother in the upcoming romantic comedy You People.
The romantic comedy, which premieres on Netflix January 27, focuses on a Jewish man engaged to a black woman and the resulting culture clash. Eddie Murphy and Nia Long play the bride’s equally awkward parents.
When it comes to coping with awkward real-life situations, the Screen Actors Guild honoree said she believes she errs on the side of kindness. “When people complain that they’re too politically correct, I start to question what their motives are. I believe in irony and satire – there has to be a place for it for a culture to survive – but I also believe in being sensitive and kind at the same time.”
You People: Julia co-stars with David Duchovny as Jonah Hill’s parents in the Netflix film You People. The comedy about the culture clash that ensues when an interracial couple gets engaged debuts January 27