Collider: I loved this movie, and Frances McDormand is just so terrific in it!
There was a lot of laughter on set.
Once I decided, in my head, that it was a mother, everything fell into place.
I didnt plot the film, at all, before starting.
Did you ever find out the true story behind the billboards you came across?
It was in the days before Google, or any of those things.
Image via Fox Searchlight
Id be intrigued to know what the outcome of that was.
What did you most enjoy about exploring and delving into Mildred?
McDONAGH: Theres something very, very freeing about writing a woman this strong and this outrageous.
Image via Fox Searchlight
There was something joyful about following a person like that, through a town and through a state.
Its how we would all want to behave in life, if we had the guts to.
Hopefully, we get things right and we dont paint everyone as simple black and white figures.
Image via Fox Searchlight
McDONAGH: Frances hit every beat of that speech so perfectly.
I think we nailed it on the eighth go.
I didnt want to waste her time.
Image via Fox Searchlight
I think I just told her to read it and see what she thought.
If shed said no, we would have been completely screwed.
I cant think of anyone else.
Image via Fox Searchlight
At this point, is Sam Rockwell your muse?
McDONAGH: Yeah, I think so.
Ive always got him in my head when Im writing an American character of that age.
Image via Fox Searchlight
Theres something freeing about having Sam in your head when youre writing.
This guy isnt nice, but hes certainly someone capable of change and of hope.
So, if anyone has ever been a bit of a muse than I think its Sam.
Im so glad hes finally getting some recognition and theyre talking about him at this awards season.
We didnt want to make it more of a comedy than the tragedy allowed.
I absolutely lovedIn Bruges,Seven Psychopaths, and nowThree Billboards, but youve only made three films.
Are you going to jump into making movie #4, sooner rather than later?
Do you know what your next film will be?
McDONAGH: Oh, god, no!
Im way too lazy for that!
I like traveling and I like not being part of the film world.
McDONAGH: There are a lot.
Id be weary of saying any names, so as not to alienate anyone.
I lovedThe Mastera lot.
There are a lot of actresses, too, that Id like to work with.
I also like this little repertoire company of actors that Ive started building up.
I could happily do something very different with Fran, Woody and Sam again.
What do you most enjoy about working with actors?
McDONAGH: I love actors.
Part of that is my theater background and being a writer who cares about performance.
Thats the same thing that I have with writing.
Its just great to be around.
Now, with this one, Im finally really comfortable being on a set and being a director.
With this one, it felt like Id learned enough to be able to help and to direct properly.
McDONAGH: Yeah, very much so.
With Frances, I didnt want her to be too lovable or open to the typical Hollywood character traits.
That was never a path that we wanted to go down for her.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouriis now playing in select theaters, and opens nationwide throughout November.
