Project Power, arriving on Netflix this week, depicts the ways that power can corrupt on both sides of the law. The superhero film centers on a special drug that gives humans special abilities for five minutes at a time, and the citizens who are trying to stop its distribution.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays a cop named Frank in his second role since his return to acting, and his character finds himself at a crossroads. While he wants to stop the drug from being used, he may need to use to the drug to stop it – so where does that leave him? The star chatted with Screen Rant about that moral dilemma and more.
What was it like portraying an officer of the law who was both trying to rid the streets of power, but also using it to increase his effectiveness?
Joseph Gordon-Levitt: Yeah, he's not a perfect guy. And this is, I think, what's relatable about him and why he's so fun to play as an actor and also so fun to watch as an audience member. He's not a hero; he's not a saint. He wears a Saints jersey, not a saint. He has his virtues and his vices. He really does care about his hometown. He cares about the people of New Orleans a lot, but he's also seduced by that temptation of wanting to see what his power is and experience that invincibility. That complexity is what makes for a fascinating character on screen.
This movie also talks a lot about the meaning of power, but not necessarily the power that your character ends up possibly getting. What would you consider Frank's actual power?
Joseph Gordon-Levitt: His actual power that he has without the pill? Yeah, that's a good question. He does sort of have the gift of gab, but it backfires on him oftentimes. I guess that's true of most people with the gift of gab. Usually, anybody who's good at talking gets themselves into trouble sometimes. So, I guess that's Frank.
Can you talk to me about the relationship with Frank and Robin? Because we get introduced to Frank right away with Robin. Can you talk to me about what he sees in Robin?
Joseph Gordon-Levitt: Yeah, sure. I'm glad you brought up the character of Robin, because the first thing I would just say is Dominique Fishback, the actress who plays that character, is such a find and such talent. If you like actors, you like acting, check out Project Power if for no other reason than to see Dominique because she's gonna have a long career. She's a real genuine article.
We were really keen to make sure that the relationship between Frank and Robin was clearly something warm, and that they were real, legitimate friends. They're an unlikely pair; Frank's a detective and she's a high school student. But actually, in rehearsal, we did some improvisation to experience why and how they became friends, so that we had that sort of muscle memory. When it came time to shoot our scenes, we were hoping that the audience could really feel like, "These two have a history; they have a rapport." And it's an important part of the story.
New Orleans is one of my favorite cities in the United States, and it almost seems like a character in this film all by itself. Can you talk to me about what New Orleans brings to the film?
Joseph Gordon-Levitt: Yeah, I really agree with you. I think New Orleans is just about the most unique city in this country. And I say that as a proud native Angeleno. But there's something about New Orleans - there's parts of the country where you can go and be like, "This is a lot like LA." I've been places, whether it's Vancouver - that's not this country - or Pennsylvania or St. Louis or wherever. LA is sort of, in many ways, similar to a lot of American cities. Not New Orleans.
New Orleans is just a different thing, and it's beautiful. There's so much flavor and culture and love for the local community. And I really ire that about the town. I've always loved spending time there. I've shot two movies there. So, it was easy to play a character whose love for his hometown of New Orleans really drives a lot of the choices that he makes in the story. And you're right. The filmmakers, Henry and Ariel, did a great job of making the city of New Orleans and the textures that it brings a real character in the movie.
