Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

Podbit · Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

Edward Norton Returns Again

Explore episode Jul 1, 2026
Arts
How Olivia Wilde Made The Invite

Edward Norton Returns Again · Jul 1, 2026 Arts

Olivia Wilde shot The Invite in strict script page order — betting each scene's discoveries would build organically toward a deeper ending than anyone had planned. She encouraged actors to create their own characters, incorporated Penélope Cruz's interest in menopause and Esther Perel, and then filmed herself hearing Norton's climactic monologue for the very first time. Norton calls it the greatest act of directorial trust he's experienced in 30 years.

12 min

Where this was said

The Invite: From Spanish Film Obsession to Serendipity

At 45:00 · chapter starts 42:40

The Invite has an origin story that reads like a film itself. Years ago, Norton watched the Spanish film Sentimental — a sparkling chamber comedy about two couples in an apartment — and immediately thought: 'I'm going to call Seth or Carell, I'll direct it, I won't change much, we'll shoot it in 15 days.' He tried to buy the rights; they were already taken. He called the producer to pitch himself as director; the producer went another way. For a couple of years, Norton nursed the frustration of the one that got away. Then a text from Seth Rogen arrived: Olivia Wilde was attached. Was Norton interested? Norton recounts the moment with something like disbelief — the currents of the stream had brought it back around after all. He had been patient without even intending to be.

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