Oscar-winning film editor William Goldenberg, celebrated for his work on films and franchises, is now taking a bold new step into the director’s chair with his debut film, Unstoppable. Ahead of the film’s digital release, Goldenberg sat down for a candid chat with ETimes, where he shared insights into his transition from editor to director while being backed by long-time collaborators Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, his stellar cast, and the creative process behind balancing truth and drama in storytelling.
Having spent over 30 years as an editor, Goldenberg explained why he turned to trusted collaborators Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, who backed the film through their production company. Speaking about their longstanding relationship, he said, “I’ve been working with Ben for about 18 years, and I’ve known Matt for several years. They started this new company, and coincidentally, I gave them the script to read. They loved it and decided to produce it for me.”
Highlighting their support in bringing the film to life, Goldenberg said, “I always told myself I didn’t want to direct unless the producers had my back. Matt and Ben were great storytellers and helped make the movie better.”
The film’s debut at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) was met with rave reviews, particularly for Jennifer Lopez‘s portrayal of Judy Robles, Anthony Robles’ mother. Praising his leading lady’s dedication to the role, he shared, “Jennifer met Judy as soon as she took the part and spent time with both her and Anthony. They opened up to each other. There were a lot of things in the film that Judy told only Jennifer, and of course, we got her permission to include them. They really saw a lot of themselves in each other. It wasn’t an impression of Judy, but Jennifer definitely channelled her in a way that was authentic and heartfelt.”
He went on to add, “Judy and Anthony had a huge influence on everyone involved, making the film feel deeply personal.”
The film also features talents like Avengers star Don Cheadle and Ant-Man actor Michael Peña, among others. Opening up about the contributions of his supporting cast, Goldenberg said, “They’re extraordinary, and their careers speak for themselves. They elevated their roles and made the film better every day.”
Unstoppable tells the inspiring true story of Anthony Robles, a one-legged wrestler played by Jharrel Jerome, who defied all odds to become an NCAA wrestling champion. Addressing the creative liberties filmmakers take with real-life stories, Goldenberg said, “If you stay within the spirit of what happened, it’s okay to take some dramatic licenses. In this film, we tried to stick to the truth as much as possible because the real story was more interesting and dramatic than anything we could make up.”
While admitting that it depends on the ‘original material’ and ‘how far you can stray,’ he also emphasised the importance of transparency with the audience, saying, “As long as audiences are aware of what you’ve done and are on board with it, I think it’s fine.”
Unstoppable premieres on Prime Video on January 16, 2025.
