Chris Columbus, take one, marker

[intriguing music playing]

Set.

Chris Columbus: My name is Chris Columbus, and I'm the director and producer of “The Thursday Murder Club. “

 Clip: “Isn't this room usually for jigsaws?” 

Clip: “Not on a Thursday, no.” 

And action.

Jennifer Todd: Chris Columbus has great experience with big movies. “Home Alone,” and “Mrs. Doubtfire,” and “Harry Potter.”

So we'll have that.

Richard Osman: The thing I love about Chris is he understands warmth, understands stories. And his first thing is always, how are people going to feel when they are watching this film? 

Set.

Columbus: This is a beloved British book. This is all a British cast, a British crew. What is this upstart American coming in thinking he can direct this kind of movie? 

Helen Mirren: He's very American, but he has this incredible understanding, sensibility, and love for British culture. It's a fantastic fit. 

Clip: “I feel like we're in one of those Sunday night dramas about two bright-eyed, feisty, old lady detectives outsmarting the police at every turn.”

Clip: “Do you feel like that?”

Clip: “No.”

Pierce Brosnan: It's a whodunit, and the British cinema is renowned for their whodunits. 

Celia Imrie: The Englishness is definitely there, and it's very sweet the way Christopher sometimes says, "Well, I'm American, so I don't know."

Excellent, guys. Thank you. Great. 

Columbus: These books aren't Americanized. The film isn't Americanized. There are certain phrases and jokes, even words, that people in America won't know. But they'll see the film, and they'll look it up online and say, "What does that mean? What does 'plonker' mean?"

 Clip: “Hm. Bugger.” [sighs]

 Clip: “Bugger.”

 Clip: “Bugger. 

 Clip: “Bugger.” 

Cut. And more, please. And more.

Imrie: I've lost my heart to Chris Columbus completely. He'd be far too embarrassed if he was here to hear me say that, so I can say it when he's out of the room.

Ben Kingsley: He's a wonderful man to work with. I trust him, he trusts us, and he guides us with great joy.

David Tennant: The book is joyous, even though it's about murders. [laughs] And that has certainly been recreated on set. It's a fun place to be. 

Brosnan: He's such a man of great ebullience and passion and cinematic film skills. 

Osman: Chris directing Pierce, Sir Ben, Celia, Helen… The absolute dream team. 

Cut. That's perfect.

Columbus: So many people love the book. I wanted to make sure that we didn't let them down. 

Clip: “Oh, sorry. How rude of me. We're the Thursday Murder Club.”