Zelda Williams at the Los Angeles special screening of ‘Lisa Frankenstein’ on Feb. 5, 2024 in Los Angeles.Photo:Alberto Rodriguez/Getty
Alberto Rodriguez/Getty
Zelda Williamsis opening up about how it felt to make her directorial debut.
“I think that was the thing that scared me most is, as far as tone goes,” Zelda tells PEOPLE. “Starting with a campy comedy can be really daunting. But I’m very grateful. We had such a good time.”
She also explains that it was the “universe” that decidedLisa Frankensteinwould be her directorial debut.
Cole Sprouse (left), Zelda Williams, Kathryn Newton, Diablo Cody and Liza Soberano at the Los Angeles special screening of ‘Lisa Frankenstein’ on Feb. 5, 2024.Alberto Rodriguez/Getty
“The pandemic happened, and other movies I was set to do just didn’t survive,” Zelda says. “Weirdly, this was the strange little train that did, and I’m very grateful for that.”
Meanwhile, Zelda reveals that the movie could be the perfect activity for Galentine’s Day.
“Well, as one of the singles on this set, I actually think it’s a great Galentine’s Day movie,” Zelda tells PEOPLE. “Because I don’t think it’s going to leave you sitting there being like, ‘I’m alone and I’m sad.’ It’s mainly to laugh. Whether you’re single or with a partner, I think laughter is a really great thing.”
The actress and director makes her feature-length directorial debut with the horror comedy starringKathryn NewtonandCole Sprouse. Sheshared news of her involvement back in 2022on Twitter, callingLisa Frankenstein“the most bonkers, wonderful zombie script” she had ever read.
“For that, I will be forever grateful!” she wrote of the opportunity at the time.
Zelda Williams seen at Focus Features' ‘Lisa Frankenstein’ Los Angeles special screening on Feb. 5, 2024.Eric Charbonneau/Getty
Eric Charbonneau/Getty
Cody, who wroteLisa Frankenstein, told PEOPLE in a recent interview that “Zelda is a really captivating person because she is so intelligent, she’s so literate in film and she’s so direct and confident in a way that directors need to be. And I could see that in her.”
She added, “The very first time we met, I thought to myself, ‘I can’t believe this person has never directed a feature before, because I feel like I’m meeting someone who’s 10 films in.’ It was that confidence that drew me to her and also just that she had such an innate understanding of the source material.”
Cody made it clear that “With [Zelda], it was just the vibe was immaculate from our first meeting. And so I said, ‘Let’s do this.’ And I’m so glad that I did.”
Zelda Williams (L) and Robin Williams arrive to the Los Angeles premiere of ‘Old Dogs’ on Nov. 9, 2009.Michael Tran/FilmMagic
Michael Tran/FilmMagic
In an interview withEntertainment Tonight, Zeldarevealed her fascinationfrom a young age with her late fatherRobin Williams’prolific acting career. Behind the scenes of the 1999 sci-fiBicentennial Man, in which Robin played the role of Andrew Martin, Zelda recalled, “That was when I was old enough to really understand that there was a whole bunch of jobs you could also do.”
She has followed Robin’s footsteps into the entertainment industry, appearing as a lead in the Freeform horror seriesDead of Summerand voice acting in shows likeThe Legend of Korra.
Zelda Williams and Robin Williams arrive at the ‘Old Dogs’ premiere at the El Capitan Theatre on Nov. 9, 2009 in Hollywood.John Shearer/WireImage
John Shearer/WireImage
In follow-up tweets to her 2020 message, she linked mental health resources and added, “Reach out. Seek help. Keep fighting.”
Lisa Frankensteinis in theaters Feb. 9.
source: people.com
