Gabriel LaBelle (‘The Fabelmans’): ‘Being chosen for this changes your life’

Gabriel LaBelle rose to fame in 2018 for ‘Predator’, yet another sequel to the saga, but it wasn’t until ‘The Fabelmans’, the new Steven Spielberg, which won over critics and audiences as the legendary director’s alter ego. So much so that, in addition to receiving praise in recent months, the actor has won the award for best young performer at the Critics Choice Awards. We talked to him about Spielberg’s incarnation and the advice the veteran director gave him in an interview for eCartelera.

It’s not every day that you get a call from Steven Spielberg himself with the intention of starring in his new movie. And above all to play himself. LaBelle enthusiastically tells us about the process of getting involved in the film: “I auditioned in March 2021 and then didn’t hear anything for 3 months. They called me back in May. I had a Zoom meeting with the casting director. Then I had another Zoom meeting with Steven Spielberg. I had two scenes five minutes each, two shots each. As I collect images to send you I realize that there are 25 minutes of material. The interview lasted for an hour, so we spent 35 minutes talking, and it was great. The next day my agent called me and told me I had done it.”.

For someone who’s basically new to the industry, it’s very easy for someone to be in a big movie to have their world turned upside down at the first opportunity. However, starring in the new film of the person responsible for ‘Jaws’, ‘Indiana Jones’, ‘Jurassic Park’ or ‘Schindler’s List’ is something beyond all expectations. “Being cast in any film is a great thing”LaBelle declares, “To be singled out for this is truly amazing. it changes your life. You know that you will be thrown into this environment of teachers and that it will be difficult but also wonderful.”.

Getting into Spielberg’s skin

“Then they sent me the script”continues the actor “and I realized I auditioned for teenage Sammy. When I got the script I knew for the first 30 pages…it was a boy!”. Although she had not told her about this small detail, LaBelle did not hesitate to get to work: “The first thing I asked him was ‘How much of this actually happened?’ It was all real! I thought Spielberg was going to tell me what it’s like to be him. He didn’t tell me, I had to find out for myself.”. The young actor decided to follow the director: “I spent a month with Spielberg to get to know each other better.. I was able to see everything she recorded of her family as a child, a lot of stuff. I had to base my physique on how he moved, I learned to smile like him. I learned to use their experiences to influence my acting. I was able to play Sammy Fabelman the way I wanted and it was amazing. With all the actors he says ‘It’s your job!’ but he is always there if you need him. He was there for me when I needed him”.

‘Los Fabelman’ arrives in Spanish cinemas February 10th.