Stanley Tucci’s latest film takes him on a mission to steal the Mona Lisa. But there’s another destination he would happily revisit: New Zealand.
Speaking exclusively to 1News ahead of the release of Masterplan, the actor and food show host also recalled his time here making The Lovely Bones.
“We stayed in Wellington, but we were able to take a little trip down to the South Island, and I absolutely loved it,” he said.
“And I would love, love, love to go back again. I loved it.”
Reminded of the country’s food and wine, Tucci was quick to agree.
“I know, and even better now than it was 20 years ago.”
For now, audiences can find him plotting a rather different trip in Masterplan, a heist comedy about a thief who recruits two strangers to steal the world’s most famous painting - before revealing they are his children.
Actor talks about filming here, his new heist comedy Masterplan and why getting into character starts with the clothes. (Source: 1News)
It is an unlikely family reunion, and the premise was part of the attraction.
“Yeah, it was so absurd that I had to do it.”
For an actor whose characters range from the deeply disturbing to the warmly familiar, the chance to try something different still appeals.
Tucci said the fun of Masterplan was a major reason for taking the role.
“I’d never done a heist movie, as far as I can remember,” he said.
His character was another draw: “A real sort of charlatan. I love that.”
The production also brought him to two cities he loves, Rome and Paris. For the London-based actor, filming in the French capital had a practical advantage: he could catch the train home between stretches of work.
“Then you go back to work, take the train in, wake up the next morning, and you’re filming in Paris. It was great.”
Getting the clothes right
However playful the film, Tucci takes the details of his characters seriously — particularly what they wear.
“Costume, wardrobe is super, super important,” he said. “So I’m quite fussy about that.”
Asked where that came from, his answer was characteristically direct.
“Don’t know. It just has to be right. Has to look right. Has to be truthful to the character.”
Whether the role involves drama or comedy, he said, clothing tells a story alongside the performance.
“It has to be absolutely right because that tells as much of a story as your words and actions do.”
The dialogue, however, can be more flexible.
Tucci enjoys improvising, and said some of that made it into Masterplan.
“If you’re working with people who enjoy that, it’s really fun,” he said.
“If you work with people who aren’t enjoying that or who can’t do it? It’s not fun.”
Away from acting, Tucci has taken audiences through Italy’s kitchens, markets and dining tables in his food and travel programmes.
Now, he said, he is filming in the UK.
“I’m doing the UK now. So we’ve shot five episodes so far. I have one more to shoot this year and two to shoot next year.”
A return to New Zealand remains a wish rather than an announced plan. But judging by his repeated “love” for the country, it would not take much persuading.
Masterplan launches on Prime Video on October 16.
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