The Season 4 premiere of HBO's “The Righteous Gemstones” has taken audiences on a thrilling journey into the past, showcasing the series' creator, Danny McBride, as he boldly experiments with genre storytelling. Known for his outrageous comedy that revolves around a dysfunctional family managing a thriving megachurch, McBride's latest episode offers an unexpected twist—a standalone prologue set in 1862 during the Civil War. This creative decision has intrigued fans and critics alike, as it diverges from the familiar characters they have come to adore.
In the premiere of the show's final season, McBride faced the challenge of engaging viewers without featuring any of the beloved core characters. Recognizing the risk of testing the audience's patience, he emphasized the importance of casting a talented lead to anchor the episode. "It had to be somebody that was not going to disappoint the audience, somebody that has charisma and charm, like Bradley Cooper,” McBride explained in an interview with IndieWire on the upcoming episode of the Filmmaker Toolkit podcast.
McBride's reference to Cooper sparked a conversation among his producing partners, leading to the obvious question: why not reach out to the acclaimed actor? Reflecting on their past collaboration in the film “Aloha”, McBride decided to send Cooper the script. To his delight, Cooper responded almost immediately, expressing interest in the role based solely on the screenplay. Interestingly, Cooper had never watched “The Righteous Gemstones” and chose to avoid familiarizing himself with the show until after filming his episode. "He didn’t want to be influenced by the tone of the show, and I appreciated that," McBride noted, highlighting Cooper's professionalism in avoiding the common pitfall of mimicking existing characters.
McBride's ambitious vision for the episode—shooting a Civil War epic in just nine days on a television budget—posed significant challenges. "It felt like an interesting challenge for everyone I work with," he remarked. The limitations of daylight and time forced McBride to be creative and strategic. One notable scene, featuring a long tracking shot of soldiers in battle, emerged from logistical constraints. "We had 200 extras that day, and I was like, once we put 100 union guys here and 100 confederate guys there, this is gonna seem pretty small," McBride explained. To maximize efficiency, he decided to focus resources on one side of the battle, allowing for extensive rehearsal and execution of a single shot.
Throughout the episode, the tight shooting schedule influenced McBride's approach to coverage. He cleverly utilized long takes to immerse the audience in the story while addressing the practical limitations. For a pivotal walk-and-talk scene between Bradley Cooper and a child actor, McBride discovered that resetting for each take took about 45 minutes due to the involvement of troops and horses. This revelation prompted him to minimize set-ups and the number of takes, a strategy that proved effective thanks to Cooper's professionalism. "He’s such a pro and he’s game—you were never doing it again because of him," McBride praised, emphasizing Cooper's ability to deliver consistently and contribute to the episode's success.
The Season 4 premiere of “The Righteous Gemstones” showcases Danny McBride's innovative storytelling and willingness to explore new artistic avenues. With the captivating performance of Bradley Cooper and the unique setting of the Civil War, the episode promises an unforgettable viewing experience. Fans eagerly anticipate how this bold departure will influence the final season of the beloved series.
