As the Academy prepares to introduce an award for casting directors at the 2026 Oscars, Francine Maisler took advantage of an invitation by Industry Days office of Karlovy Vary International Film Festival to attend a tribute organized in her honour this week at Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) in the Czech Republic for Industry Days’ Industry Days Talk stage with Molly Rose as she admitted being initially reluctant to step forward into the spotlight: “Coming here is special because normally I tend to avoid such situations; my job requires me being behind-the-camera, not being at center stage! Now is my turn!” “Coming here is special because generally I tend to avoid such occasions because my job requires me being behind-camera and not being front and centre.”
Maisler held the room captivated for nearly 90 minutes with her humble remarks about herself and those with whom she has worked over her 30-odd year career, particularly Lady Gaga and Todd Phillips’ heavily anticipated DC sequel Joker: Folie A Deux that is set for its premiere – in or out-of competition- at Venice Film Festival later this month.
Maisler raved of Gaga: “She is phenomenal in it; you guys.” Not because Todd Phillips suggested her, he added; I just saw it for myself and was really shocked that it worked so well, with Joaquin blowing our minds as usual and showing no mercy with their performance either; Gaga kept up well by keeping herself real on screen while being real as well – it proves she can hold her own against such competition proving just how incredible an actress she really is! “
Maisler spoke briefly of her early beginnings in the industry (“I worked at Actors Equity”). She shared stories such as how Somali pirates from Tom Hanks’ Captain Phillips movie were discovered at an open casting call in Minnesota rather than Somalia itself, while Austin Butler got the role for Dune: Part Two not on account of Elvis being incomplete at that point, but because of his theatre work in New York (most likely Eugene O’Neill’s The Iceman Cometh revival on Broadway).
Maisler cast Sarah Snook in Succession after watching her audition for David Fincher’s 2011 remake of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (“I never forgot”). And 12 Years a Slave breakout star Lupita Nyong’o had an initial self-tape audition which initially went ignored before Maisler cold-read opposite her (this made Steve McQueen pay attention, recalls Lupita). (Maisler later recalls: it “was emotional. “).
Maisler arrived in Karlovy Vary with Jeff Nichols’ The Bikeriders starring Austin Butler, Tom Hardy and Jody Comer from Jeff Nichols’ Dune: Part Two project; thus prompting questions regarding casting celebrities. Maisler stressed: “Casting celebrities doesn’t depend on whether people are popular; rather it depends on whomever is available – in this instance all were.” “When making films such as Dune or Dune Part Two everybody wants to participate and the director must choose from everyone available and available only then.” Maisler then explained how casting worked: all hands raised hands until eventually some would come along that were available – or all happened to come available.”
Maisler expressed some displeasure with the internet-era culture of secrecy surrounding movies: “Everything is so confidential now.” She noted how increasingly difficult it has become to give actors scripts (or give sides from different movies which might resonate similar) for reading performances (indeed some actors from Dune were given sides from Lord of the Rings!). Still she understood its necessity – “Screenplay gets leaked, opinions develop”.
Maisler took time during her appearance to support the Academy’s decision to finally create space for casting directors: “Like I always say, everything takes its own course; now is our momentous moment of recognition; after all there are so many aspects involved with producing films; casting is said to make up 90%. Finally our work will receive acknowledgement.”
