In the realm of Hollywood, where talent and dedication reign supreme, many actors employ a variety of unique and often intense methods to fully inhabit their on-screen characters. Florence Pugh, for instance, has openly discussed the emotionally taxing preparations she undertook for her role in “Midsommar,” describing it as a “bleak” experience that required deep emotional immersion. Similarly, Lady Gaga committed herself to her role in “House of Gucci” by maintaining an Italian accent off-set for an extraordinary nine months, demonstrating her dedication to authenticity.
Margot Robbie, known for her versatile performances and most recently celebrated for her role in “Barbie,” shares these immersive techniques. Recently, she revealed an interesting approach to accessing her emotional depth while filming. During a teaser for her upcoming guest appearance on the “Talking Pictures: A Movie Memories Podcast,” Margot candidly explained that whenever she faces a scene that requires her to cry, she turns to a specific and powerful piece of music—the iconic soundtrack from “Titanic.” She mentioned, “I can even just hear the theme music of ‘Titanic,’ and I’ll be bawling. So that’s what I do on set if I need to cry in a scene.”
This emotional connection to the “Titanic” soundtrack took on a particularly surreal twist during the filming of “The Wolf of Wall Street,” in which Margot starred alongside Leonardo DiCaprio. Interestingly, Leonardo DiCaprio’s breakthrough role as Jack Dawson in “Titanic” had marked a significant moment in his career, establishing him as a Hollywood heavyweight—an intersection that added to the strangeness of Margot’s experience on set.
In her interview, Margot recounted an intriguing moment while preparing for a particularly intense scene where her character asks for a divorce. She revealed that, on that day, Kate Winslet—who starred alongside DiCaprio in “Titanic”—was visiting the set to see Leo. Just moments before their paths crossed, Margot was in an adjoining room, deeply immersed in the melancholic strains of the “Titanic” soundtrack, trying to maintain a state of emotional vulnerability. “I was listening to the ‘Titanic’ soundtrack trying to stay in sad, teary mode,” she stated, reflecting on the uncanny timing of the encounter. Seeing Kate and Leo walk past her in that moment felt incredibly surreal.
In 2023, Margot also opened up about the more unconventional acting techniques she’s experimented with in the past. To prepare for her role in “Barbie,” she explored ‘animal exercises’ as a means of channeling raw emotions and physicality. Recalling the experience, she told Variety, “I was maybe 45 minutes into pretending to be a flamingo or whatever, and I was suddenly like, ‘It’s not working. The animal isn’t helping me with Barbie. I don’t know how to find her.’” This exploration of diverse methods showcases her commitment to the craft of acting and her desire to unearth the nuances of each character she portrays.
