Daisy Ridley is back in action this spring with the thriller Cleaner, and she has nothing but praise for the film’s director, veteran action maven Martin Campbell. During a Q&A session with Collider’s Steve Weintraub for the film, which was attended by Leah Marilla Thomas, Ridley emphasized how Campbell’s involvement was a significant factor in her decision to join the project.
“The first thing I saw was Martin Campbell, and I was like, ‘Legend,'” Ridley shared, highlighting the renowned director’s impressive career and reputation. Ridley elaborated on the strengths that set Campbell apart, noting, “I really think that’s what makes Martin’s films so special, because of course the action’s amazing. And they’re real spectacles, but he always has this real beating heart at the center of his movies, always with a lot of joy and laughter, too, sometimes in unexpected places.”
Further discussing Campbell’s unique approach to filmmaking, Ridley praised his flair for dialogue and his specific acting philosophy. “One of the things that he talks about a lot is musicality in lines,” she said. “It’s something I’ve never been cognizant about, but it’s something he’s very specific about. He’d often listen to a take and not watch it, which I’ve never had a director do before, just to feel the rhythm of the music of the language.”
Ridley continued, “What I love about him; he’s so amazing at action, of course, but he’s so specific about character. The thing he loves to say is ‘communion.’ I really love that word now because to me, it just means ‘what are you doing with this action on screen? Are you close enough? Are you sharing enough?'” She described Campbell’s immersive working style, stating, “He’ll come over, and he’ll be close to your face, running it before you shoot it, and then he’ll come and do it again. It’s a wonderful way to work.”
Martin Campbell, a New Zealand-born director, began his career in the UK, where he worked on comedies and television shows before gaining critical acclaim with the 1985 thriller miniseries Edge of Darkness. This success led him to several American film projects, including the horror noir Cast a Deadly Spell. His revitalization of the James Bond franchise began with GoldenEye, reintroducing Pierce Brosnan as Bond and marking a massive global hit after a six-year hiatus for the series. Campbell successfully repeated this success with Casino Royale, ushering in a new era with Daniel Craig as Bond.
In addition to the Bond films, Campbell directed notable projects such as The Mask of Zorro, Green Lantern, and the American remake of Edge of Darkness. He also directed the critically acclaimed episode “Three Men and Adena” from the seminal crime drama Homicide: Life on the Street. Last year, he directed the war film Dirty Angels, starring Eva Green, and he is set to reunite with Ridley for the upcoming action thriller Dedication.
Cleaner stars Ridley as Joey, a dishonorably discharged soldier who works as a window cleaner at One Canada Square, one of the tallest buildings in the UK. When ecoterrorists, led by Clive Owen, take over the building, Joey must call upon her skills to rescue hostages, including her own brother. The film is set to premiere in theaters on February 21, 2025. Stay tuned to Collider for future updates.
