Hayek admitted that when Jolie first approached her about playing Nina, she didn’t want to do it. She explained that the character’s emotional journey was too difficult for her to take on at that point in her life. “I didn’t want to go through the emotional places Nina has been,” Hayek shared, noting that the role required her to stay in a state of constant emotional tension, which was hard for her to consider.
Hayek further explained that she was in a good place in her personal life, feeling genuinely happy, and didn’t want to put herself through weeks of emotional hardship for the film. “It’s taken me so many years to get to this place in my life, and I didn’t want to suffer for weeks and weeks,” she said.
The actress described Without Blood as a challenging project for any actor, noting that portraying Nina meant staying on the edge of an emotional breakdown throughout the entire film. Hayek expressed how demanding the role was, saying, “There’s nowhere to hide in this role.” She added that even the slightest slip in her emotional presence would be noticeable on screen, making the part even more difficult.
Despite her reluctance, Jolie was able to convince her to take on the role after long conversations. Hayek shared that Jolie believed she was perfect for the role, even when Hayek doubted herself. “She knew I was the right actress, even when I didn’t know it,” Hayek said, expressing her admiration for Jolie as both a director and a colleague.
Hayek also praised Jolie’s directorial style, calling her the best director and actor she had ever worked with. She added that she felt deeply valued by Jolie throughout the process, which helped her embrace the challenging role.
Without Blood premiered at the Toronto Film Festival and features a cast that includes Demián Bichir, Angelica Pisilli, Maddox Chivan Jolie-Pitt, and Juan Minujin.
