Letter from the Editor: Highlights from Our Dec. 11 Issue

Introduction to the 2025 Oscar Actors Roundtable

The annual Envelope Actors Roundtable, held at The Times newsroom on a rainy Saturday afternoon in late December 2025, brought together actors Will Arnett, Benicio Del Toro, Jacob Elordi, Wagner Moura, Jesse Plemons, and Stellan Skarsgård. Moderated by Yvonne Villarreal, the conversation explored themes of balance—between work and family, preparation and spontaneity, expectation and ambition.

Personal Reflections from Laura Dern

In a poignant moment for the film industry, actor Laura Dern reflected on the challenges she faced after her mother’s passing. The death of Diane Ladd last month required Dern to navigate the grief while promoting “Is This Thing On?” and “Jay Kelly.” Despite initial concerns about discussing her parents during interviews, Dern found strength in their legacy.

“I thought, ‘This is going to be hard because I’m going to have to talk about my parents,’ she told Margy Rochlin. “Then I thought, ‘They are my muses, my guides, my teachers. I’ve never done an interview without talking about my parents, and that will be the case for the rest of my life.’

The Making of “The Smashing Machine”

Director Benny Safdie shared insights into the creation of “The Smashing Machine,” known for its intense fight scenes. The realism in these sequences was achieved through meticulous sound design and innovative techniques. According to Bob Strauss, fingerless grappling gloves provided sharper impact sounds than traditional boxing gloves. Kazu Hiro’s prosthetic makeup further enhanced the authenticity of the fight scenes.

“The fingerless grappling gloves MMA fighters use made for sharper, more painful impact noises than padded, puffier boxing gloves do,” Strauss explained. “These were enhanced by hours of recordings of hands striking skin.” Kazu Hiro designed a lifelike silicone dummy of Johnson’s upper body for knee-to-head shots, which everyone agreed was fun to punch—and sounded authentic when they did.

Further Highlights from the Envelope Issue

The December 11 issue of The Envelope also featured discussions on various film-related topics. Topics included:

• The women in “One Battle After Another” and their impact on the industry.
• The making of “The Secret Agent,” according to its director.
• The writer’s perspective on Netflix’s “A House of Dynamite.”
• Visual effects behind Oscar contenders like Tom Cruise, Katy Perry, and James Gunn’s projects.
• The art of creating striking movie posters.
• The role of celebrity producers in shaping film releases.
• George Clooney’s chances for an Oscar with “Jay Kelly.”
• A deep dive into the making of “Die My Love.”

The Envelope continues to provide in-depth analysis and insights, ensuring that readers stay informed about the latest developments in the film industry leading up to the Academy Awards.