Actor Jess McLeod joined us on Popternative Media Day during this year’s Toronto International Film Festival where their new film, Normal, had its world premiere during the Midnight Madness program.
Directed by Ben Wheatley and co-written by John Wick creator Derek Kolstad and Bob Odenkirk, Jess stars along an impressive cast including Odenkirk himself, Henry Winkler, Lena Headey, Ryan Allen, Brendan Fletcher, Billy MacLellan, and Peter Shinkoda. Magnolia Pictures recently acquired the US rights to Normal which is set for a 2026 release. Set in the Midwestern American town of Normal, the film follows Sheriff Ulysses as a bank robbery begins to expose dark secrets in the usually quaint town.
Exclusive photos for Popternative Magazine by Mike NG of Evoke Photo Studios at Cocreate Space.
How exciting was it for you to have Normal premiere at TIFF’s Midnight Madness?
Jess: I have never done a movie quite like this. I’ve never done like a gonzo, action Western, it was so exciting to me, and I think knowing that people were going to see it in this particular venue made me really excited because it’s the perfect place for people to really jump on board and just get into it. I was just really jazzed to be there with that Midnight Madness audience and have them experience it with me for the first time, because I hadn’t seen it.
What was it like for you reading the script for this project and then going to film it?
Jess: I’d never done the amount of gun [scenes] I had to do for this. So, I read it, I really felt connected to the character. I initially was auditioning for a different character, and then I read the script and went, ‘I think that one’s way better for me.’ So, I kind of had to fight to get to audition for the one that I ended up playing, which is Alex. Then, once I had the part I was so excited, then I get there and I’m reading the script, and I’m going, oh yeah, I have to do all of those things that are written in there.
They did have a stunt person for me, but in practice, it was a lot of me just doing it. And I learned so much about how to look like I know what I’m doing with the gun, because my character is ex-military, so I couldn’t look too dumb while I was doing it. And I was really happy with how it turned out, and the stunt team really helped me with that. They were so awesome.
Normal falls into several different genres; how would you describe it?
Jess: The great thing about film is that it can be so free. And I think if you’re a really talented director like Ben is, and if you’re a really talented writer like Derek, is, the best thing that you can do is kind of play with genres and mix and match, because then you’re getting different audiences that maybe wouldn’t normally watch an action film watching this one. There’s a real heart to the story, and it’s also really funny. And then you also have on the flip side people who are looking for a really emotionally driven story, who are like, ‘Oh, I don’t normally watch action films, but I really enjoy the genre now.’
_
Follow Jess McLeod: Instagram
Follow Popternative Magazine: Instagram