Edgar Wright shares beautiful tribute to Diana Rigg after working on her final movie
Edgar Wright shared a beautiful tribute to Dame Diana Rigg following her sad passing earlier this month, aged 82.
He discussed directing her in his upcoming psychological thriller Last Night in Soho, and he remembers his final meetings with the Game of Thrones star in an essay in The Guardian.
Wright noted that she was "funny and wry" and who often came bearing gifts of chocolates for the crew - "which, frankly, all actors should do".
"After the shoot, this led to some cherished Campari-fuelled Sunday brunches in her favourite South Kensington spots where we talked about the state of the world, the business as it is now, and all of her stories in-between.
"She was such a wickedly funny raconteur, and though we gossiped a lot, I feel like I only heard five percent of her tales."
This past summer, the director needed to record some pick ups for Last Night in Soho and knew that she wouldn't be able to shoot as she was poorly, so arranged with her family that he would go to her and they would record some dialogue there.
"I was anxious about going, not least in the time of Covid, but also worried about tiring her out," he admitted. "As Dan [dialogue editor] and I came up the stairs to see Diana, I heard her cry out 'I know that voice!' and was already glad I came."
Wright explained: "When I saw her, infirm in bed, I said: 'Dame D, I've been so bold as to bring some Campari.' She replied, sippy cup in hand, 'Darling, I'm having one right now. Will you have one?' I said: 'It would be rude not to.' She shouted to her daughter, 'Rachie, could you make two Campari and sodas for Edgar and his friend?'"
"Then, a short, beautifully civilised ADR session commenced, with myself, Dan and Dame D all sipping Campari while finishing her dialogue, doing only as many takes as we absolutely needed."
Related: Game of Thrones stars pay tribute to "true Queen of Westeros" as Dame Diana Rigg passes away
Later, he realised he needed her to record just one more word and asked her family to do it, which they did, and she called him after it was done.
"I could tell she was tired, so I simply said, not wanting to say goodbye for good, I couldn't wait for her to see the finished film.
"She replied, "I had such a lovely time making your film. I wish you all the luck in the world with it." Then a final "Bye-sy, bye", the line went dead.
"I started crying. When I stepped back into the office, my colleagues asked "What's wrong?" I replied: "I think Diana just said goodbye." It was indeed the last time we spoke. Just two weeks ago. I miss her so much already."
Last Night in Soho will be out in cinemas on April 23, 2021.
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