Fewer couples in Hollywood attract the kind of adoration that Jesse Plemons and Kirsten Dunst do at the moment. Before, their love story was somewhat underrated, but they have since become so esteemed, that they are practically considered Hollywood’s royal couple.
This is not just down to the beautiful family that they have built since they got together in 2016. Both Plemons and Dunst were also nominated for an Oscar Award for the first time in 2022. The recognition followed their respective performances in Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog.
Interestingly, Elisabeth Moss and Paul Dano had been cast to play the roles that eventually went to Dunst and Plemons, before they both pulled out due to scheduling conflicts. The Interview with the Vampire actress almost said no to the part as well, but she later changed her mind and got to work with her then fiancé.
It was the second time that they had featured in a production together, after they first met while filming the crime drama series Fargo. When Dano and Moss could not honor their earlier commitment to The Power of the Dog, fate conspired to bring them together on a set again.
What Roles Did Jesse Plemons And Kirsten Dunst Play In The Power Of The Dog?
The Power of the Dog was written and directed by Jane Campion of The Piano fame. The New Zealander filmmaker adapted the film from the similarly titled novel of 1967 by Thomas Savage.
The movie tells the story of “charismatic rancher Phil Burbank, [who] inspires fear and awe in those around him. When his brother brings home a new wife and her son, Phil torments them until he finds himself exposed to the possibility of love.” This is according to a plot summary on IMDb.
The lead role of Phil Burbank was played by MCU star Benedict Cumberbatch, with Jesse Plemons featuring as his younger and more kind-hearted brother, George. Kirsten Dunst played Rose Gordon, a widow and inn proprietor who George falls in love with and marries. X-Men star Kodi Smit-McPhee played her teenage son Peter, who becomes the target of Phil’s harassment.
As well as the two main stars’ Oscar nominations, the film was also up for ten other awards, although only Campion won for “Best Director.”
What Did Kirsten Dunst Think About Working With Jesse Plemons In The Power Of The Dog?
Jesse Plemons was approached for a role in The Power of the Dog before Kirsten Dunst. As a matter of fact, he had already been offered the role of George Burbank once before, even before Paul Dano was brought on board.
When Plemons eventually agreed to star in the film, Dunst expressed her delight; the actress is a long-time admirer of Jane Campion. “[Jesse] was actually approached first,” she said in an interview with Vogue in November 2021.
“I said to him, ‘You’re so lucky. You get to work with Jane Campion.’ Then I was approached,” she continued. “She’s been a heroine of mine. All the actresses she works with give such incredible performances in her movies.”
When the cameras finally started rolling on the project, the dynamic between Dunst and her partner was completely different to what they were used to in their regular lives. “We had to be very formal with each other which was funny,” she added. “[But] he’s my favorite actor to work with. I fell in love with him creatively first.”
What Does Jesse Plemons Think About Kirsten Dunst’s Acting Skills?
Jesse Plemons shared Kirsten Dunst’s sentiment on the seamlessness with which they blend while working together. While speaking to GQ Magazine, he said that being on set with her was “nice, and easy, and comforting.” The Breaking Bad actor was effusive in his praise of her acting skills, even comparing her to the legendary Robert De Niro.
“There’s a ferocity that she can tap into – and a sort of wild, very expressive and real… rage is the wrong word, but everything that’s happening inside you, you just see on her face and in her eyes,” Plemons told GQ.
“Like I was saying about working with De Niro, when someone is expressing so much, it makes your job a lot easier because all you have to do is look, and listen, and respond,” he continued. “I think she’s just an incredibly honest, bold performer and can kind of do anything. You know she’s really funny, and really versatile.”
In between their work in Fargo and The Power of the Dog, Dunst also made a cameo in an episode of Black Mirror on Netflix where Plemons was starring. They both expressed hope that they would work together again in future.
