Adam Driver opens up about transforming into Enzo Ferrari during 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert'

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK CITY: Adam Driver appeared on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' episode of December 21 to promote his new movie 'Ferrari'.

During the show, among others conversations, Driver praised the movie's director, Michael Mann, for his attention to detail, which included the use of subtle but important prosthetics to transform Driver into the character of Enzo Ferrari.

Stephen Colbert calls Adam Driver a 'silver fox' 

Colbert welcomed Driver saying, "My first guest is a two-time Academy Award nominee you know best from 'Marriage Story', 'Black Kklansman' and 'Star Wars', his new film is 'Ferrari'.

Colbert then expresses excitement about the movie featuring Adam Driver, though he admits 'knowing little about it' with the conversation shifts to Driver's portrayal of Enzo Ferrari and his recent 40th birthday.

Colbert playfully discusses Driver's depiction of Ferrari at 60, highlighting the actor's timeless appearance. The exchange ends with Colbert complimenting Driver's aging like a 'silver fox', comparing him to Steve Carell.

On being asked, "What did you know about Ferrari?", Driver answered, "Same as you. I didn't know anything."

However, Driver expressed his admiration for Ferraris, referring to them as 'drivable works of art', but mentioned that they are not in his price range. He also admitted that he didn't know much about the man behind the Ferrari brand before starting the movie.

Colbert then discussed the director Mann, and his reputation for 'precision onset', mentioning that he had 'seen footage and press photos of the film'.

He also noted that there are prosthetics involved in the film, but he didn't see any, and commented on how the actor looks like himself with his hair gray and slicked back, referring to the incredibly exact transformation of Driver into the character Enzo Ferrari in the movie.

"You already have a neck. Why do they have to apply a new neck?"

The conversation then wired towards Driver who revealed how the director achieved the desired character through prosthetics. 

"I wore of skullcap and a wig. Then it's the back and neck prosthetic", and Colbert asked,"You already have a neck. Why do they have to apply a new neck?"

As per Driver, to enhance the character's appearance, he underwent two to three weeks of prosthetics, even after the initial week of shooting. The director, Michael, aimed for a balance, acknowledging that advanced prosthetics can be impressive but sometimes create a disconnect from the actor.

He sought subtlety in the prosthetics to maintain a direct connection with the audience.

Working up his curiosity, Colbert asked, "What does it do when you see yourself? Some performers use mask work as a way of sort of putting themselves into a character almost instantly by perceiving themselves. What does the prosthetics due to you as an actor?". 

In reply, Driver expressed how prospthetics matters in every detail, from lighting on his face to the frame's shape. He emphasizes the importance of understanding a character's internal life and how external factors, like clothing and posture, influence portrayal.

Driver notes the director's obsession with details like ties, seeing "everything as storytelling" that adds depth to a character. For Driver, everything, including prosthetics and wardrobe, contributes to the overall storytelling and character development.

The movie, set in the summer of 1957, amidst Enzo Ferrari's struggling auto empire, is based on the 1991 biography 'Enzo Ferrari: The Man, the Cars, the Races, the Machine' by motorsport journalist Brock Yates.

In the movie, Driver can be seen as an ex-racer turned entrepreneur, Ferrari challenges himself and his drivers by entering the treacherous 1,000-mile race, the Mille Miglia, across Italy.