Zach Braff’s Courage: Directing Morgan Freeman and Harrison Ford
Zach Braff, known for his work on Scrubs, recently shared the surprising challenges he faced while directing two Hollywood icons: Morgan Freeman and Harrison Ford. Braff admitted needing to psych himself up to give direction to these seasoned actors, particularly Morgan Freeman, known for his commanding presence and decades of experience.
The Gruff Side of a Legend
Braff directed Freeman in both 2017’s Going in Style and 2023’s A Good Person. He described Freeman as “gruff as hell” on set, revealing the actor prefers to work exclusively in the mornings and generally aims to complete each scene in a single take. This preference, while efficient, presented a unique hurdle for Braff when he felt a second take was necessary.
Speaking on the Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard podcast, Braff confessed to feeling “intimidated” by the Shawshank Redemption star. He needed to actively give himself pep talks to muster the courage to request another take, especially as the day wore on and Freeman understandably grew “tired.”
“So that was the first example of I was intimidated and I had to give myself a pep talk,” Braff explained. “But I have to go (to myself), ‘If you’re a wimp now and don’t have the courage to go tell Morgan Freeman, even though it’s three in the morning and we’re outside and it’s cold, that we got to go again with the crying scene, he’s going to be mad at you a year from now and we’re showing this movie and the scene doesn’t work. So that’s my responsibility.’”
Navigating Creative Differences
Braff noted that Freeman consistently questioned the need for a second take, “no matter what.” The director found himself having to carefully explain that Freeman’s performance was “great,” but adjustments were needed to refine the scene’s visual aspects or emotional impact. It wasn’t about correcting acting, but about achieving the best possible outcome for the film.
Similarly, while directing Harrison Ford in the TV series Shrinking, Braff emphasized his role wasn’t to “teach them how to act,” but rather to act as the “conductor of the orchestra,” ensuring each scene harmonized with the overall narrative. He needed to guide these legends, not instruct them.
A Confidence Boost for Future Projects
Braff concluded that overcoming the intimidation factor of directing Morgan Freeman and Harrison Ford was incredibly empowering. “It helps though, because once you’ve had the courage to do that with Harrison Ford and Morgan Freeman, I feel like you can do it with anybody.” This experience undoubtedly shaped his approach to directing and instilled a newfound confidence in his creative vision.
You can learn more about Zach Braff’s work on his IMDb page.
