Eva Green’s Dream Collaboration With Lars von Trier Fell Apart
Eva Green once idolized Lars von Trier, but she ultimately walked away from a coveted role with the director, citing concerns over explicit content and his uncompromising style during negotiations.
For many actors, working with a legendary filmmaker is the ultimate goal—a chance to bring a long-held dream to life. But for Eva Green, that dream came with a price she wasn’t willing to pay. Despite her deep admiration for Lars von Trier, she made the difficult decision to turn down a role in one of his most talked-about films, putting her career and personal boundaries first.
Breaking Into Hollywood and Facing Controversy
Green’s breakout performance in the provocative drama The Dreamers put her on the map, but it also set the tone for how audiences and the industry viewed her. The film, known for its bold depiction of sexuality and taboo relationships, made Green a controversial figure almost overnight. She soon transitioned to major Hollywood productions, landing roles in Kingdom of Heaven and Casino Royale, but the shadow of her debut lingered. The explicit nature of The Dreamers followed her, shaping public perception and influencing the roles she was offered.
The Temptation and the Dilemma
When the opportunity arose to star in Antichrist, directed by the filmmaker she once called her “God,” Green found herself at a crossroads. The allure of working with von Trier was undeniable, but she worried about being typecast in roles defined by their sexual content. In her own words,
“After The Dreamers, I think people would have been very nasty to me,”
she explained, reflecting on the potential backlash.
“People always talk about the sex. You have a sex scene, and they’re like, ‘Oh my god, there’s sex.’ So I’ve decided not to have a sex scene for a while, because you feel like it’s the only thing people remember. I feel very vulnerable.”
Creative Differences and a Shifting Perspective
Antichrist, which eventually starred Charlotte Gainsbourg and Willem Dafoe, became infamous for its graphic scenes and disturbing themes. Green wrestled with the idea of taking the part, but ultimately, the demands of the role and von Trier’s rigid approach proved too much. She recalled,
“Lars von Trier was my God. I loved everything that he’d done, it was my dream and fantasy to work with him, but I didn’t want to do certain things. I was asking questions and not being a puppet. There were a lot of sexual things where I was like, ‘Really? I’m not sure; is there another way to make it work?’ and he was like, ‘Nobody questions my authority.’ Brutal.”
Von Trier’s reputation for pushing boundaries—both on set and in his films—was well known. As negotiations dragged on, Green’s admiration for the director began to fade. By the end, she realized the collaboration she once dreamed of was no longer possible.
“It kind of got tricky,”
she admitted.
“I don’t think he would want to work with me, honestly.”