Jodie Foster says Jack O’Connell was "the last person" she expected to cast in ‘Money Monster’.
The 53-year-old filmmaker admits she was thinking of going down a different route when it came to casting someone in the role of Kyle Budwell but settled on Jack after she "fell in love" with his audition.
She told the Metro newspaper: "Well, I’d seen him in ‘Starred Up’ and I’d seen him in ’71’ and ‘Skins’ as well, I think it was simultaneous to hearing about him in ‘Unbroken’. But honestly, he was the last person I thought would be right for the movie …
"We wanted somebody who was over 35, and we definitely didn’t want anyone English and then he sent an audition tape and I fell in love with him and I was like, ‘This is our man.’"
Meanwhile, Jodie previously admitted she gets "exhausted" just watching Jack act as he has so much commitment and energy.
She added: "Honestly, I feel like Jack is the most committed actor I’ve ever worked with. Ever, ever. It’s exhausting just watching him. He just gave so much and I’m just so proud of him. It’s really a transformation. It’s an extraordinary performance by him and he wasn’t the guy I was looking for … His audition was amazing."
Meanwhile, the 25-year-old actor previously praised his co-star George Clooney for helping him to "hit the ground running" on set.
He said: "With thanks for George, I hit the ground running. I felt very comfortable around him. We have similar interests as well, regarding sport. If I was lost with something he helped me discover it. That’s very giving, as an actor, that’s very generous."
Jodie Foster: I never thought I’d cast Jack O’Connell in Money Monster
