In Conversation: Anya Taylor-Joy & Odessa A'zion on Their Latest Roles

In separate interviews, actors Anya Taylor-Joy and Odessa A'zion provided details regarding their recent work, upcoming projects, and career trajectories. Taylor-Joy discussed her role in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and the series Lucky, while A'zion spoke about her casting in the upcoming film Marty Supreme.

Anya Taylor-Joy: 'Furiosa' and 'Lucky'

'Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga'

Taylor-Joy played the title role in Furiosa, a prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road. Director George Miller instructed her to maintain a rigid, emotionless expression throughout the six-month shoot.

Taylor-Joy stated that she advocated for a specific ending where her character plants a peach pit in her enemy’s body, which later grows into a tree.

She also reported experiencing minor hearing loss due to gunshots fired near her head during production.

'Lucky' (Apple TV+)

In the series Lucky, Taylor-Joy plays a grifter who is constantly on the run across all seven episodes. The director instructed her to run poorly to convey struggle.

Taylor-Joy received a producer credit on the series. According to the actress, she was the first and only actress considered for the role by Reese Witherspoon’s production company, Hello Sunshine.

Upcoming Projects

Taylor-Joy confirmed she will appear in Dune: Part Three and in The Hunt for Gollum, where she will play an elf character.

Background

Taylor-Joy, 29, was born in Miami, raised in Buenos Aires, and moved to London at age 6, where she learned English by reading Harry Potter books. She began acting after being scouted by a modeling agency at age 16.

Her breakout role was in the 2015 film The Witch, followed by The Queen's Gambit in 2020. She is married to musician Malcolm McRae and divides her time between London and Los Angeles.

Odessa A'zion: 'Marty Supreme' and 'Euphoria'

Casting in 'Marty Supreme'

A'zion was recommended to director Josh Safdie for his film Marty Supreme by creator Sam Levinson and casting director Jennifer Venditti. Safdie cast her in a role opposite Timothée Chalamet, seeking an actress who could portray specific character traits including mischief and yearning.

Previous 'Euphoria' Audition

Four years prior, A'zion had a significant audition for HBO's Euphoria, which resulted in a callback and a meeting with creator Sam Levinson.

Production delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic ultimately led to A'zion not being cast in the role.