Jeremy Saulnier calls Patrick Stewart's Green Room villain the production's savior

In a heartwarming story about the late Patrick Stewart, the renowned Star Trek actor and Shakespearean-trained actor, director Jeremy Saulnier has praised the iconic performer for his pivotal role in saving his 2015 thriller, Green Room. Speaking at the L.A. 10th anniversary screening of the film, Saulnier revealed that the low-budget production was on the brink of being shut down before Stewart stepped in.

Stewart played the character Darcy Banker, a chillingly rational leader of a gang of backwoods neo-Nazi skinheads, a stark contrast to the actor's usual roles. According to Saulnier, the involvement of this high-profile legend came about at a crucial juncture, just as the film seemed destined for cancellation.

Saulnier recounted that the director "just swooped down, nosedived into our cruddy ass movie and saved us." About a week after being approached, Saulnier was on the phone with Stewart, who immediately expressed interest in the project. This swift decision led to the film's instant greenlighting, highlighting the actor's natural charisma and leadership skills.

Saulnier, who worked with Stewart on the film, described the actor as a "fucking sweetheart, true gentleman, and very kind leader to our whole cast." He credited Stewart for "why I still make movies," emphasizing the profound impact the actor had on his career.

In his own words, Saulnier fondly remembered Stewart's input on a specific scene, where the actor suggested adding a curt "fuck!" during a particular moment. The director immediately granted Stewart's permission, which he later adopted in the final cut of the film. This anecdote adds to the growing number of tributes to Stewart's remarkable talent and the lasting impact of his death on the entertainment industry.