Searchlight Pictures’ new film Chevalier brings a largely forgotten musical master into the limelight once again. The film tells the story of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, a composer and violinist who rose to fame in the court of Marie Antoinette. Unfortunately, much of Bologne’s work was lost during the rise and reign of Napoleon Bonaparte, so many will be hearing of the composer for the first time thanks to Chevalier.

One of the most important relationships in the Chevalier de Saint-Georges’ life was likely the one he had with Marie-Josephine de Montalembert, a married woman with whom the Chevalier had an affair. In Chevalier, Marie-Josephine is played by Samara Weaving, who acts as a perfect onscreen companion to Kelvin Harrison Jr.’s Joseph Bologne. Weaving has a wide range of projects under her belt, from Bill & Ted Face the Music to The Babysitter, but showcases even more of her abilities, including singing opera, in Chevalier.

Samara Weaving spoke with Screen Rant about relating to Marie-Josephine, learning opera, and more.

Samara Weaving on Chevalier

Screen Rant: I have heard Kelvin talk about his practice routine for this movie, but you took singing lessons as well, right? You had to sing opera. What was that like for you? Was that stressful in any way?

Samara Weaving: It was stressful but Michael Roberts, who was my singing teacher, made it really easy and really fun. I actually looked forward to it. In fact, after we wrapped the movie, I still saw him for more singing lessons. He made it really fun. Actually, I should call him; I should keep doing that. I've put it off. But [it was] nowhere near as crazy as Kelvin's schedule. I would sing for an hour, maybe an hour and a half a day, and he would get up at three o'clock in the morning and play violin until 11 p.m. at night. So, yeah. I was fine.

You have done so many different kinds of films: The Babysitter, Babylon, [and] my personal favorite Bill & Ted. What was the draw for you to this film? Was part of it getting to continue to showcase your range?

Samara Weaving: I don't think I actually am like, "I'm going to showcase my range." I just thought the script [was] really good. I have to thank my team for picking really eclectic roles, and the writing was really good. And I like to challenge myself. I don't know if that's masochist of me, but I was like, "I have to sing? Oh, no. Okay, let's do it."

I don't want to be pigeonholed into one thing. I did a few horrors, one after another. I wanted to have a departure from that, and I spoke to my team about that, and we thought, "Okay, what else is out there?" But I love horror, so I went back for more. That wasn't intentional, I guess, is what I'm trying to say.

The writing of this film is so great, but how much did you research Marie-Josephine outside of learning who she was in the context of the Chevalier's life?

Samara Weaving: It was hard to find anything on her. I mean, the internet is great, but there wasn't too much. Really, Stefani was the best resource for me because she had done a deep, deep, deep dive and spoken to a lot of people about her. She was the most useful tool.

What was it about her that you think kind of paved the way to the relationship that she ended up having with Joseph Bologne?

Samara Weaving: I think [they were kindred] spirits in a way. I think she was kind of trapped in this loveless marriage, or at least loveless on her end, and wanted her freedom. She saw that in him, and he saw that in her, I think. He was exciting, and a fellow artist, and wanted to express himself with music, and she did too. They had that sort of muse and... if you have a muse, waht are you? What's the right terminology for that?

Is there one? Artist?

Samara Weaving: Yeah, they had that artist/muse relationship, which was really beautiful, but tragic.

Speaking of that, and not to get into spoilers or anything, there is a lot of tragedy in their relationship. Kelvin seems like a really fun person, as do you. How was it for the two of you go to that place emotionally and do those scenes?

Samara Weaving: I mean, you know, he's a profesh. He's very, very talented. It wasn't hard at all, unless we were loopy from working for 12 hours and we just got the gigs. And Stefani's writing was so beautiful that it's hard to break character. It was just [such] powerful dialogue, and with Stephen at the helm being like, "We're running out of light," I'm like, "Okay. And, tears, and let's go."

And on the flip side of that, what scenes were the most fun for you to film?

Samara Weaving: I loved the scene where Chevalier and Marie-Josephine meet in this sort of luscious party. Sian Clifford, who played my cousin, brings me to the party, and we're, like, gossiping about him and looking over at him. It had that sort of high school boy-meets-girl vibe, and we found that very funny. We were improvising a lot and probably annoying everyone, but yeah, that was good.

Did [any of] the improvisations make it into the film?

Samara Weaving: Maybe. I can't , it was as we were walking away from Kelvin. I can't if they left that in, or if they were like, "That's not in keeping with the tone of the film."

I feel like maybe outside of the fact that you're both artists, someone like you and Marie-Josephine might not have the most in common. Was there a specific way that you found to relate to her as you were starting work on this?âââââ

Samara Weaving: I think she is relatable. It's just a different era. I related to her in the sense that she is a creative, and without having an outlet for creativity, [one] can get really depressed. I think she's really relatable to a lot of women actually, [in] the fact that we still don't entirely have autonomy over our lives, and especially our bodies.

Strangely, I never thought, like, "Oh, she's so different from me." In fact, I thought the opposite. She just was in a very different situation, so that was what I had to use my imagination for. But thanks to the set design, and the locations we were filming in, and the costume design, [and] the hair and makeup, I didn't have to use my imagination that much. [It] felt like walking into a different time.

I know that there were Bob Marley lyrics on all the call sheets, [and] Stephen Williams is very, very into Bob Marley. Was there one that stuck with you throughout the production, or one of those kinds of moments?

Samara Weaving: Oh, gosh, I don't ; it was so long ago. I'd always miss [it] because I'd still be in hair and makeup when they would start, and that's when Stephen would say it to the crew. But, I really did enjoy reading them every morning. It was a good little pick me up, especially if you're sleepy and tired and feeling ungrateful.

About Chevalier

chevalier kelvin harrison jr — Kelvin Harrison Jr. in Chevalier

Inspired by the incredible story of composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. The illegitimate son of an African slave and a French plantation owner, Bologne (Kelvin Harrison Jr. in a tour de force performance) rises to improbable heights in French society as a celebrated violinist-composer and fencer, complete with an ill-fated love affair and a falling out with Marie Antoinette (Lucy Boynton) and her court.

Check out our other Chevalier interviews:

Chevalier is now playing in theaters.