Ana de Armas Took a Business Call with Ron Howard While She Was at a Wedding: ‘Never Saw Those People Get Married’
De Armas stars in the new movie 'Eden,' which was directed by Howard and had its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 7
Ana de Armas was not about to miss a call from Hollywood heavyweight Ron Howard.
During a Q&A session following the premiere of her new movie Eden at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on Sept. 7, the actress, 36, revealed that she stepped out in the middle of attending a couple's wedding to take a business call with the Academy Award-winning director.
De Armas said she had read the script for Eden and told Howard, 70, she was game to do the project while at the wedding. "I never saw those people getting married because I was on the phone with Ron," she recalled, asking the director, "Do you remember that? When then you [said], 'I can't hear you.' "
The star added that she was drawn to the survival thriller movie because it's based on "a true story." Eden, which marks Howard's second feature film of 2024, follows a German couple (played by Jude Law and Vanessa Kirby) who live on the uninhabited Galápagos island Floreana in the early 20th century, before more European settlers arrive and upend their peaceful way of life.
De Armas portrays Eloise Bosquet de Wagner Wehrhorn, a self-described baroness who comes to Floreana with a pair of lovers and plans to build a luxury hotel. "I couldn't believe how crazy it is and how relatable it is as well nowadays," the Blonde star said of the movie's storyline and themes during the Q&A.
She recalled how she and Howard discussed her character openly together and collaborated to flesh her out for the screen.
"We talked about the baroness and I told [Ron] how I felt and all these things that I was already imagining. And from day one, there was great communication and back and forth and I was like, 'This might be the end of my career, but it looks like fun, so I'm going to go for it,' " de Armas explained.
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"And yeah, I just really fell in love with the character," she added, describing the baroness as an "awful" character.
According to Howard, de Armas nailed her portrayal. "Ana is a great character actress 'cause she's nothing like the baroness," he told the audience during the TIFF Q&A.
Amid promoting Eden, de Armas revealed that she recently made a major move in her personal life. The actress told E! News that she left Los Angeles to embrace a quieter life "off the grid" in rural Vermont.
“I found a home where I really feel off the grid. I can collect myself and only bring there who I want to be with. I have my little cocoon there," she explained to the outlet.
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“I feel like nowadays, we all want to go away from the craziness of the world,” she added. “We all want to have the chance to build your own safe space. I’ve made that decision myself.”
De Armas also told E! News that she reached a place where she felt it was time to make a change. “Look out for yourself," she said, sharing her advice for others. "There’s a time when you learn what’s good for you and what’s not. What serves you the most? Pay attention to that and take action.”
Eden does not yet have a release date.
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