The One Actor Who Intimidated Jennifer Lawrence: “Doing Scenes with Him Is So Powerful”

Jennifer Lawrence’s rise to Hollywood stardom was meteoric. Bursting onto the scene with her gripping performance in Winter’s Bone and cementing her status with roles in X-Men: First Class and The Hunger Games series, Lawrence quickly became one of the most versatile and acclaimed actors of her generation. Winning an Academy Award for Silver Linings Playbook at just 22, she proved her remarkable talent early on.

Over the years, Lawrence has shared the screen with some of cinema’s finest—Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper, Christian Bale, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Charlotte Rampling, to name a few. Yet, despite working alongside many legends, there is one actor who truly intimidated her: Jeremy Irons.

The Power of Working with Jeremy Irons

Lawrence opened up in a candid interview with Female.com about her experience working with Irons on the 2018 spy thriller Red Sparrow, directed by Francis Lawrence. The film, which drew controversy for its explicit sexual content and themes of female objectification, starred Lawrence as a Russian intelligence agent trained in the art of ‘sexpionage.’ Despite the film’s mixed reception, the performances—particularly Lawrence’s—were widely praised.

But it was the opportunity to act opposite Jeremy Irons that left a lasting impression on her. “I was so intimidated. I mean, it’s Jeremy Irons!” she said. Known for a storied career that spans films like The Lion King, The French Lieutenant’s Woman, Dead Ringers, Brideshead Revisited, and Lolita, as well as an esteemed tenure in theatre, Irons is considered acting royalty.

Lawrence described him as “actually the nicest person, and so much fun to work with,” but added, “Doing scenes with him is so powerful. Even when I watch them back now, I can feel how I felt when I was doing them with him. He just completely transforms.”

Red Sparrow: A Mixed Legacy

While the film featured other notable talents such as Charlotte Rampling and Joel Edgerton, Red Sparrow ultimately failed to find commercial or critical success. Critics took issue with the film’s heavy focus on sexual abuse and pervasive male gaze nudity, which overshadowed the strong performances and nuanced storytelling.

Despite the film’s shortcomings, Lawrence cherished the experience of working with Irons—an actor she had long admired. The intensity and authenticity he brought to their scenes together remain one of her most memorable career moments.

Reflecting on an Iconic Collaboration

For Jennifer Lawrence, acting alongside Jeremy Irons was both a challenge and an honor. His ability to fully inhabit a role and command the screen left her in awe, reminding us all of the magic that can happen when talent and presence collide. Even in a film that faltered, their collaboration stands out as a testament to the power of great acting and the respect between two stars at different points in their careers.