The actor Quentin Tarantino called “my power pack of enthusiasm”
Most great directors know the importance of working with actors who understand their vision and who complement their filmmaking style both on-screen and behind the camera. It’s why Martin Scorsese keeps going back to Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio, it’s why Wes Anderson can’t keep himself away from Bill Murray, and it’s why Quentin Tarantino continually casts Samuel L Jackson.
Jackson has become a part of the furniture on Tarantino’s sets, as integral to his style as a killer soundtrack or a script full of expletives. But Jackson isn’t the only actor that Tarantino has found favour with. Over the years, he has honed collaborative relationships with Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, and stunt artist Zoë Bell, curating a list of dependable talent to turn to when it comes to casting.
One of the more recent additions to Tarantino’s trusted collaborator’s list is Margot Robbie, who worked with the director on Once Upon a Time in Hollywood in 2019. Appearing alongside Brad Pitt and her Wolf of Wall Street co-star Leonardo DiCaprio, Robbie took on the role of Sharon Tate, an actor, model, and one of the victims of the murders committed by the Manson Family.
Though Robbie had less screen time than many anticipated, she embodied the role of Tate and managed to endear herself to Tarantino behind the scenes. During a chat with Vogue, she praised his optimism, describing him as the “happiest director” she had ever seen on set.
“You’re so excited,” she enthused, “And that’s how I felt.”
Robbie’s enthusiasm about working with Tarantino was not one-sided. The filmmaker returned her compliments, stating that while he is naturally excited about filmmaking, Robbie was, nevertheless, his “power pack of enthusiasm.” This effect may have stemmed from her excitement about getting to work with Tarantino, which had always been Robbie’s career goal.
In fact, to win her part in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Robbie had initially penned Tarantino a letter declaring her wishes to work with him on a project. The timing was perfect, as Tarantino was in the process of casting for the film, and she fit perfectly into the role of Tate. However, it seems that Robbie’s enthusiasm didn’t stop once she made it beyond the audition room.
Her excitement about working with Tarantino and her general passion for filmmaking clearly allowed her to bounce off the director on set, too. The pair share a real, palpable love for their art — Tarantino gives his all to each project, his talent stemming from how much he adores cinema, while Robbie’s work has extended beyond acting and into production as she seeks to expand the reach of stories about powerful women.
Tarantino had stepped beyond the realm of his trusted castings, beyond Jackson and Roth, and taken a chance on Robbie thanks to a heartfelt letter and a stellar filmography. As a result, he found another collaborator who shares his vision and zest for filmmaking. Beyond Robbie’s excitement about fulfilling her dreams of working with Tarantino, the actor and director are perfectly aligned in the depth of love they share for their art.
Robbie and Tarantino are yet to collaborate on another project — the director is yet to deliver another feature following the release of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood — but hopefully they will work together again soon.
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