On Wednesday, November 6th, New Line Cinema held a red carpet for the New York premiere of their latest film “The Good Liar”, at the Equitable Tower in Times Square.
While the cast and crew, which included Academy Award winner Helen Mirren and Hollywood legend Ian McKellen, were at the center of the carpet, stars like Brooke Shields and Tony Danza made appearances as well.
This suspenseful thriller was penned by acclaimed screenwriter Jeffrey Hatcher and directed by the prolific writer and director Bill Condon. The pair worked together to tell the story of a con man named Roy Courtnay, played by McKellen, who falls in love with a wealthy widow he meets online named Betty McLeish, played by Mirren. Over the course of the film Roy falls for Betty and it becomes immediately clear that she will not be manipulated as easily as his last victims.
Before the start of the screening, we had the chance to interview Greg Yolen who worked as one of the producers on the film.
The Knockturnal: How did you initially get involved with this project?
Greg Yolen: I read the novel, which is by a guy named Nicholas Serale. Actually that’s not his real name because it is a pseudonym. He was in British Civil Service, which is a way of saying he was probably a spy. Actually, I don’t really know. He didn’t really tell me. But I read the novel and immediately thought it was fantastic and very different from the movie in terms of how we’ve ultimately adapted it. So worth reading for anyone who likes the movie. As soon as a read the novel I sent it to Bill Condon. I thought it was right up his alley and it was. Warners had just bought the rights and we basically called them up and they were game to make this. And with the attachments of Ian McKeller and Helen Mirren it became- I want to use the phrase a no brainer. But there were definitely brains involved.
The Knockturnal: What was your favorite part of working on this film?
Greg Yolen: There were so many moments. But the cast read through when you finally sat down at the table read and there they are in the flesh and you’re hearing those words that we’ve all been working on and thinking about for months and months and months finally come to life in the voices of Ian McKeller and Helen Mirren that was a pretty chilling moment.
The Knockturnal: What was it like having the opportunity to work with both Helen Mirren and Ian McKeller?
Greg Yolen: It was a tremendously good time. Easy would be the word I would use. They are just as good and professional and incredible every minute as you expect them to be. It’s just pure pleasure.
The Good Liar will be released in theaters everywhere on Friday, November 15th.
