A few weeks out from release, much of the talk surrounding HBO’s new series “The Idol” centers on the behind-the-scenes drama surrounding the show’s creation and extensive retooling.
Initially Amy Seimetz was attached to help write and direct “The Idol” alongside “Euphoria” creator Sam Levinson and the show’s star/producer Abel Tesfaye (aka. The Weeknd). The series follows a rising pop star (Lily-Rose Depp) who gets involved with a modern-day cult leader (Tesfaye).
Seimetz filmed multiple episodes, but Tesfaye was reportedly unhappy with the results. So, midway through production, he and Levinson opted to start over with Seimetz being let go. Levinson took over the directing reins once he finished work on the second season of “Euphoria”.
Speaking to W Magazine (via The Playlist) this week, Tesfaye and Levinson have now spoken about the challenge of the reshoots with Tesfaye saying he risked his health to make the show great:
“My secret skill is that I don’t panic. When everyone around me is worried, I get very still. But I did panic when I lost my voice. I had to rest and reflect and think about The Weeknd and Tedros [his show character] and all that had happened with the show.
I realized that I need to know that I’ve made the best version of whatever I’m making. It was a challenge to redo ‘The Idol,’ and, in truth, I sacrificed my health and home to make it work. So, let’s say it comes out and it’s f—– horrible. I still know I did my absolute best.
From what I’ve seen, the show is great. Everything is a risk: When you’ve done the best you can, I would call that a happy ending. And I got my voice back.”
Levinson revealed the only way the series could get reshot without spending more than HBO was willing to pony up, was to save money on locations. This led to Tesfaye’s real house being used as the primary location for the show:
“If we were going to reshoot from the beginning, I knew it had to be for less money. Sitting in Abel’s house, looking around at the 40,000 square feet, I said, ‘It’s stunning here – you can’t buy production design like this. What if we shoot it here?’ Abel put down his drink and said, ‘Do you have insurance?’ I said yes. And he said, ‘I’m okay with it.'”
One key change that’s quite visible with the reshoots is Depp, who opted to dye her hair blonde when the reshoots began. “The Idol” will have its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival ahead of a premiere on HBO on June 4th.
