Jodie Foster Initially Found Robert De Niro ‘Really Uninteresting’ on ‘Taxi Driver’ Set, But His Acting Changed Her Mind

Even though Robert De Niro is celebrated as one of the greatest actors of all time, a young Jodie Foster wasnt immediately captivated when she first met him on Martin Scorseses Taxi Driver set at age 12. Speaking at the Marrakech Film Festival while receiving a tribute award, Foster shared memories of De Niro guiding her through the film, taking her to cafes to rehearse lines. However, his intense Method acting initially made him seem dull to her.

We would go over lines repeatedly. At that age, I didnt understand the process. De Niro was incredibly talented, of course, but he wasnt exactly the most engaging companion off-camera, Foster explained. She recalled lunches with him where conversation was sparse, leaving her talking to waiters instead.

The turning point came when De Niro began showing her the improvisational side of acting. By our third lunch together, he demonstrated how to explore a character beyond the script. That moment opened my eyes to what acting could truly be, Foster said. She described her excitement returning to her hotel to share the revelation with her mother.

Foster also recounted her first trip to the Cannes Film Festival with Taxi Driver, which she almost missed because the studio didnt want to cover her expenses. Her mother insisted, arranging flights and emphasizing the importance of her attending. At Cannes, Foster ended up handling interviews in French for the entire Taxi Driver team, as De Niro, Harvey Keitel, and Scorsese were too concerned about the films reception and rating.

Reflecting on her career, Foster, who began appearing in commercials at age 3 and debuted in films at 6, noted that acting was never her chosen path. I never would have selected this profession for myself. Im not naturally an actor who enjoys performing for an audience. Acting was something chosen for me, she said. She stressed the importance of balancing private and public life and expressed concern for young actors today, advocating for parental guidance and protection.

Foster has always sought strong, central roles, avoiding supporting parts defined by relationships to others. She highlighted the challenges female directors face in mainstream cinema, emphasizing the need for opportunities to gain experience before tackling large-budget projects. For years, female directors were rarely given major films because of perceived risks. Experience must come first, she said.

While primarily a film actress, Foster returned to television with acclaim in HBOs True Detective: Night Country, earning Emmy and Golden Globe recognition. She praised streaming platforms for allowing extended storytelling, enabling creators to explore complex narratives that wouldnt fit in traditional feature films. Using Scorseses Killers of the Flower Moon as an example, she noted that longer formats could have better represented underexplored perspectives.

At Marrakech, Foster also promoted her latest film, Rebecca Zlotowskis French comedy-thriller A Private Life, and expressed interest in pursuing more French-language projects to connect with her cultural roots. She spoke fondly of the global filmmaking community and the opportunity to learn from different cultures while working on international productions.

Ending on a determined note, Foster stated, Ill be making films until I die. You cant get rid of me that fast. This was her first appearance at the Marrakech Film Festival, which features a star-studded jury including Bong Joon Ho, Jenna Ortega, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Celine Song.

Author: Sophia Brooks