After making headlines for his recent performance in ‘Challengers‘, Mike Faist is set to mark another milestone of his career with his upcoming film ‘The Bikeriders‘ alongside a stellar cast including Tom Hardy and Austin Butler. However, the immediate jump from one high-profile production to another was not Faist’s original plan.
The actor had planned to take a break, but when the opportunity knocked at is door with director Jeff Nichols’ call for ‘The Bikeriders‘, he could not turn it down. What made the offer particularly appealing as was its location being close to his hometown of Gahanna, Ohio. As he is now set to play the role of esteemed photographer Danny Lyon Faist reflected on how his ‘Challengers‘ co-star holds credit for his interest in photography. Here’s what he said.
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How Zendaya Inspired Him To Take Up The Role In ‘The Bikeriders’
Mike Faist’s chemistry with Zendaya in ‘Challengers‘ was spot on. But the actors also developed a good bond off-screen; so much so, that Faist also ended up getting inspired by her little habits. Zendaya’s one such habit of frequently taking photos on set and engaging with directors and DPs, ended up being his motivation behind the next big role that awaited him.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter ahead of the release of his upcoming film, Faist explained how Zendaya unknowingly helped him get equipped with his future film character. “Toward the tail end of ‘Challengers’, Zendaya got me into photography,” he said.
“She had her cameras on set and was always playing around with them and whatnot. So I got interested and played around [with them], and I ordered a camera of my own,” Faist added. Besides, the chance to play a photographer in Nichols’ film seemed like a great opportunity to Faist, and he took it.
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Mike Faist Opens Up About His Portrayal Of Photographer Fanny Lyon In ‘The Bikderiders’
‘The Bikeriders‘ is loosely inspired by Danny Lyon’s 1967 photojournalist book that captures his experiences with a Chicago-area motorcycle club in the mid-1960s. Faist also spoke about how he prepared for the role, which also involved direct interaction with Lyon himself.
“He has a cabin in Maine, and so I drove up there to meet him. We spent the weekend shooting photography and fishing, and he actually introduced me to a friend of his who showed me his studio. So then we developed film, and we went through some of Danny’s old works,” Faist said of his meeting with the photographer.
Now back home, Faist is taking time to savor real life. He also opened up about his career approach, asserting that he prioritizes passion over monetary gain. “I always say that the minute this thing becomes a job for me, then I really don’t want to do it anymore. It’s too chaotic of a world to live in to treat this as a job,” he said.
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