A whole generation grew up with her, after all.
She’s very open about the fact that one of them is not for her.
Even if thats inevitably not always possible, theres never any malice in her actions.
Photography by Stephanie Diani for Collider
Everything Mary does is rooted in love.
Anything and everything she does its not selfish.
It’s coming from a place of wanting to be connected and wanting to be understood.
Image via Warner Bros.
She recalls having extensive conversations about her late grandfather, who was half-Black.
It brought me so much closer to myself and to my family and my family history, she says.
We have what we have, and we have who we are.
Photography by Stephanie Diani for Collider
In this case, it’s the music.
I’m here to hear my mom.
I’m here to hear the thing that’s gonna bring me closer to her right now.
Photography by Stephanie Diani for Collider
I’m not here for any other reason.
The music is her home.
The music is her safe space.
Photography by Stephanie Diani for Collider
We only have what we have, and we have to hold on to that.
We have what we have, and we have who we are.
Leave…I’m probably gonna leave.
There’s something about Mary in that moment that it doesn’t matter who’s there.
She knows she can beat up anybody that gets in her way.
She says it all she’s not going anywhere.
Image via Paramount Pictures
And that’s her mom that’s keeping her there."
Even through the films wildest twists, Steinfeld notes that Marys personality stays shockingly consistent.
Same Mary, same desires, same wants, same needs just heightened.
This entire movie will have you thinking.
But I feel like everything we spoke about…it’s there.
I loved so much what a collaboration working on the role of Mary felt like with Ryan.
Photography by Stephanie Diani for Collider
The process of developing this character didn’t end.
That sense of collaboration and respect extended into filming.
What I loved so much about working with him was its like he was an actor in another life.
Image via Marvel, Disney+
That difference, she says, is what allows him to get the best out of his actors.
He also makes it look incredibly easy.
Absolutely, she responds.
I’m like, Yeah, there’s no question.
Theres the smallest beat.
But then I think to myself, There’s Ryan Coogler, so whywouldI?
Id just have to call him for everything to have him do it all.
Itd be tough to pinpoint one, she admits.
I’m inspired at the thought of not feeling like it has to be one thing.
How do you do that?
How do you do that and go to sleep at night and move on?
He was withWunmi [Mosaku].
He is one of the most generous actors I’ve ever worked with, she praises.
That support makes you feel like you’ve got the option to do it all.
He’s so, so, so talented.
I don’t know how he did it.
This is our ancestors.
This is everything that Ryan has ever thought of with this movie coming to life right before our eyes.
I’ve never been a part of a cast quite like this one, she admits.
We were in New Orleans in the middle of the summer.
Everyone was getting eaten alive by bugs.
You have nothing but the people around you to lean on and to help get you through.
We were all in it together.
Still, even through that, there was an undeniable sense of joy permeating the set.
Let’s just hope no one invites the vampires inside…
In addition to Coogler and Jordan, Steinfeld also built strong relationships with the women on set.
We covered the bases when we were out there doing this thing together.
I feel like they helped me grow as a human and as an actor.
It was so intricate.
The worst part for me was not being able to just look at everyone and everything.
I was so in awe between every take.
I was like, This is incredible.
This is our ancestors.
This is everything that Ryan has ever thought of with this movie coming to life right before our eyes.
If I’m watching a horror film, it has to be under certain stipulations.
Still, she does enjoy the occasional horror flick, and she saysSinnershelped her become a bigger fan.
I would love to do more in this genre.
I think I’m a bigger fan than I was for sure.
We wrapped that movie, and then, months later, we were on a press tour.
It was so much going on, and I loved every second of it.
It was so amazing.
I was so supported by my cast and the studio, and I had my family there.
Josh Brolin,Matt Damon,Jeff Bridges they all…had come to me.
Have the most fun.
Don’t take it too seriously.
I’m so grateful for that experience as a whole.
I think it taught me a lot.
The writer of ‘Hellboy: The Crooked Man’ is also involved.
What’s going on?
What do I do with my life now?
I’m so grateful to be a part of the projects that I’ve been a part of.
It was never a matter of, Oh, I’m gonna take a year off now.
I was just like, Step back.
Pause, and lets get specific and decisive as far as what we do next with our time.
I have to take care of myself, and I have to pace myself.
I remember seeing that movie that first movie in the theaters.
Though more of a hidden gem,The Edge of Seventeenis another film close to Steinfelds heart.
The directorial debut fromAre You There God?
Still, she admits that it is difficult to pick favorites in her career.
I feel that way about all the things I’ve done, all the roles I’ve played.
It’s the coolest thing to be able to connect with people through what I love.
Kate Bishop?
These get me in trouble, these questions!
I wish I could say it all.
I wish Iknewit all.
I’m so grateful that Kate is a character that is so widely loved.
She is a powerhouse, Steinfeld says of working with Pugh.
She is such a force.
If youve been missing Steinfelds music, youre not alone shes been missing it, too.
It’s been a long time, and I didn’t realize how much I missed it.
That is when shes not taking a moment to look around and enjoy her numerous accomplishments.
I have a feeling 14-year-old Steinfeld would be very proud.
