'They were scared of me': Young Jodie Foster recalls intimidating Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro on 'Taxi Driver' set

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Commencing her acting journey at the tender age of 3, Jodie Foster reminisced about a time on the set of the cult film 'Taxi Driver' when both filmmaker Martin Scorsese and star Robert De Niro were intimidated by her presence.

“I first worked with Martin Scorsese when I was about 10, on Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore,” she told W magazine.

“By the time I was 12, I'd made a lot more films than De Niro or Scorsese. They were definitely scared of me: 'What do we do with this 12-year-old?"' the 'Contact' star Foster added.

“I was in my hot pants and corkies, or whatever those platform shoes were called.”

Initial struggles, and mother's advice to Foster

Facing challenges in her early 20s, Jodie Foster continued to take on numerous projects.

Reflecting on that period, she noted, "The most significant transition was moving from youth to college and then transitioning into an adult actor. The work I engaged in between the ages of 16 and 22 was the most awkward phase."

“But my mom just kept telling me, 'By the time you're 40, you'll never work again, so you should work as much as you can now because by the time you're 40, you'll be over."'

Interestingly, at 61, the acclaimed star expresses contentment and a busy schedule. "Now, I've never been busier. The 50s are awkward, especially for an actress. People don't know what to do with you, and you don't know what to do with yourself," she remarked.

Foster reflects on working in her 50s

The ‘True Detectives’ star said, “You're completely confused about what your relevance is in the world. You just keep trying to compete with your past and who you used to be.” 

"And suddenly, 60s, the perfect thing happens: At 60, you suddenly realize you don't care about all the things that you cared about in your 50s," she added.

Foster also stated, "You get to support other people because you know it's not your time. There's something about being the wise one in the room that it's just so much more fun.”

In her recent work, the Oscar-winning actress is featured as Bonnie Stoll, the best friend, former lover, and coach of swimmer Diana Nyad in 'Nyad.'