Inside Anya Taylor-Joy's journey to becoming Edgar Wright's muse for Last Night in Soho

As we look back on the captivating journey of Anya Taylor-Joy, her rise to stardom is marked by serendipitous turns and artistic alignments. Taylor-Joy, now renowned for her role in Edgar Wright's Last Night in Soho, once missed the opportunity to work with him on Baby Driver. Reflecting on this missed chance, Taylor-Joy reminisced, “I was a really really big fan of his.” Wright echoed this sentiment, "But I’m glad we did this instead." 

Wright's vision for Taylor-Joy was ignited after her breakout performance in The Witch, a Sundance hit. This early encounter set the stage for what was to become a defining role for Taylor-Joy. "Oh, my god, Edgar Wright wants to talk to me!" she recalled, underscoring the awe and excitement of that pivotal moment.

Also read: Emerald elegance: revisiting Anya Taylor-Joy's Golden Globes showstopper!

Initially, Wright envisioned Taylor-Joy for the role of Eloise, later embodied by Thomasin McKenzie. However, as Wright delved deeper into the script, co-written with Oscar-nominee Krysty Wilson-Cairns, his perception shifted. "I started to think she might be right for Sandee," Wright revealed, highlighting the fluid nature of his creative process. Taylor-Joy, on her part, was enamored by Wright's musical acumen. "It makes such a difference to be able to hear what the scene is going to sound like," she gushed, praising Wright's profound knowledge and passion for cinema and music.

From script to screen: Bringing Last Night in Soho to life

Last Night in Soho, a narrative woven around 1960s London, became a testament to the dynamic synergy between Wright and Taylor-Joy. Wilson-Cairns, fresh from her success with 1917, brought her unique perspective to the script, focusing on enjoyment and authenticity. "I judge every film I make by, would I watch it hungover on a Sunday and enjoy myself?" she said, encapsulating her down-to-earth approach to filmmaking.

The film's premiere at the Academy Museum was not just a celebration of the movie but also a reunion, especially poignant for McKenzie, who had missed previous red carpet events due to the pandemic. "I am so excited to finally be here and reunited with everybody," McKenzie shared, reflecting the collective joy and relief of returning to some semblance of normalcy in the film industry.

Also read: Anya Taylor-Joy's cape obsession: A fashion statement at the Baftas 

In retrospect, the journey of Last Night in Soho and the collaboration between Anya Taylor-Joy and Edgar Wright is a tale of cinematic destiny. Their partnership, initially missed but later realized, showcases the unpredictability and magic of the movie-making world. As we look back, it's clear that their artistic paths were intertwined, leading to a film that resonates with both critics and audiences alike.

(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)