Lee Star Andy Samberg Says He Had To ‘Unlearn His Instincts’ for Dramatic Role in Kate Winslet Movie

Lee star Andy Samberg (Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Palm Springs) opened up about his experience playing his first dramatic role in Roadside Attractions‘ upcoming biopic war drama, which will be led by Oscar winner Kate Winslet. In the film, Samberg is playing the role of Life magazine photographer David Scherman. It is currently slated to arrive in theaters on September 27.

“The film follows a pivotal decade in the life of American war correspondent and photographer, Lee Miller. Miller’s singular talent and unbridled tenacity resulted in some of the 20th century’s most indelible images of war, including an iconic photo of Miller herself, posing defiantly in Hitler’s private bathtub,” reads the synopsis. “Miller had a profound understanding and empathy for women and the voiceless victims of war. Her images display both the fragility and ferocity of the human experience. Above all, the film shows how Miller lived her life at full-throttle in pursuit of truth, for which she paid a huge personal price, forcing her to confront a traumatic and deeply buried secret from her childhood.”

What did Lee star Andy Samberg say about his role?

During a recent interview with GamesRadar+, Samberg admitted that he had to unlearn some of his normal instincts during the production of Lee, after being involved in a number of comedy movies and shows for so long.

“You know, the first couple of days of shooting, I almost had to unlearn my normal instincts of,” Samberg said. “Like, ‘Oh, we could probably get an extra thing here, and a laugh here,’ and to just give myself over to, like, ‘Oh, this is already what it is. We’re not, like, riffing. We’re finding the most honest version of what is written.’”

He continued, “I will say, as someone who is generally pretty cynical about everything, I guess I did allow myself to get more earnest and open to the process. I did see a lot of what you have to do by watching all of [the other actors]. You know, to give something that is elevated and takes it above.”

Lee is directed by award-winning cinematographer Ellen Kuras from a screenplay written by Liz Hannah, Marion Hume and John Collee. The ensemble cast also includes Alexander Skarsgård as Roland Penrose, Andrea Riseborough as Audrey Withers, and Marion Cotillard as Solange d’Ayen. Additional cast members include, Josh O’Connor as Antony Penrose, Noémie Merlant as Nusch Éluard, Arinzé Kene as Major Jonesy, Samuel Barnett as Cecil Beaton, James Murray as Colonel Spencer, Zita Hanrot as Ady Fidelin, and more. Winslet is also producing the film alongside Kate Solomon, Troy Lum, Andrew Mason, Marie Savare and Lauren Hant.