Joel Edgerton took Hollywood by storm with his standout performance in 2011’s “Warrior,” affording the 37-year-old actor the privilege of working on passion projects.
“I find the more I’ve been working and the older I get, I’m in a luxurious position where I have the opportunity to do a various number of things, so it makes me want to just do the things I’m really proud of,” Joel told Access Hollywood correspondent Tim Vincent at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, on Thursday.
Joel’s most recent film, “Wish You Were Here” – a drama written and directed by Joel’s friend, Kieran Darcy-Smith – premiered on opening night of the famed festival, and is already bringing critical praise to a project the Australian actor believes in wholeheartedly.
“When this movie came up, I already knew [Kieran] was a great writer because I went to drama school with him and have watched him write and grow over the years,” he told Tim. “I saw Kieran’s photo boards for the movie early, early, early on and there were other actors’ photos in there and I was like, ‘So who are you thinking about for this movie?’ and he goes, ‘Oh, this person and that person.’
“I go, ‘What about me? I’m one of your best friends!’ He goes, ‘I didn’t think you’d wanna do it!’” Joel recounted. “I love this film.”
“Wish You Were Here” follows the story of four friends (one of whom goes missing) during a vacation in Cambodia and stars fellow Aussies Teresa Palmer and Felicity Price — and the cast from Down Under is proud to be representing their country with the drama.
“On an international level it’s good to see the festival has recognized us [as worthy of premiering on] opening night,” Joel told Tim of their warm Sundance reception. “It’s a great movie.”
Following “Wish You Were Here,” the actor will next be seen on the big screen as Tom Buchanan in Baz Luhrmann’s highly anticipated film adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby.”
The 2012 Sundance Film Festival runs through the end of the month in Park City.
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