Patrick Stewart Helped Keep Green Room From Shutting Down

At a Los Angeles screening marking 10 years since Green Room was released, writer-director Jeremy Saulnier honored Patrick Stewart, who died at 86. Saulnier said Stewart’s interest in the 2015 film came when production was close to shutting down, with the role of skinhead leader Darcy Banker still uncast and sets already built.

Saulnier recalled that Stewart expressed interest unexpectedly, then spoke with him about a week later. The actor agreed to take the role, and the film was greenlit, allowing production to continue. Saulnier credited Stewart with helping make the movie possible and said the actor’s support was a reason he could continue making films.

He also remembered Stewart as warm and considerate toward the cast. In one scene, Stewart asked to add a single expletive as the camera moved through the set. Saulnier welcomed the suggestion, saying it showed the actor understood the film’s style and intentions.

Saulnier encouraged the screening audience to react when that moment appeared, while reminding them not to cheer for the Nazis portrayed in the film. Stewart played Darcy, the leader of the group at the center of Green Room’s story.