‘Imaginary’ Star DeWanda Wise on Preparing to Battle Chauncey the Teddy Bear and the Best Sequel Idea

variety.com:

William Earl administrator SPOILER ALERT: This article discusses plot twists in the new movie “Imaginary.“ To the public, DeWanda Wise is the glamorous heart of movies like “The Harder They Fall” and “Jurassic World Dominion,” but she consistently describes herself as a “nerdy actor.” While she plays it cool as Jessica, the hero battling a sinister teddy bear named Chauncey in the new horror movie “Imaginary,” Wise pushes herself by working behind the camera.

Her executive producer credit on the Lionsgate film was not a vanity title, but rather an essential step on her journey to claim space behind the scenes. “I’m a filmmaker,” she said. “I have never been the kind of actor that shows up to a set and just lays back in the makeup chair.” Wearing multiple hats encouraged Wise to prepare deeply for the role, essential for a film like “Imaginary,” which required plenty of emotion and physicality. “My acting muscle is well-developed,” she said. “I wanted to make sure that when I was on set, I was available to be Producer DeWanda.

I feel like I was prepared as an actor far sooner than I normally do, so that the story is in my body. By the time I get to say the lines, it’s less work trying to find it, more muscle memory.

Not every actor is the same, but I always have an idea, a certain shape of craft. I know the beats we have to hit to build the performance.” Wise said that director and co-writer Jeff Wadlow’s openness on set helped her make an imprint on the movie. “I’m very fortunate to work with collaborators who listen from day one,” she said. “I got the script and it was written to be set in Connecticut at the time.