Chase Infinity lives a dream she doesn’t fully believe in.
The 24-year-old Indianapolis native made her feature debut in Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Next Battle,” and stepped into the role of Willa Ferguson, a teenager stuck between family legacy and personal identity when a group of former revolutionaries reunited to rescue her after the enemy’s resurrection 16 years later.
“It’s half, half for me,” Infinity says of Willa’s character. “Half of her comes from his writing, and the other half comes from his own life and experience.”
The infinity path to Anderson’s vast militia epic was not easy. Growing up in Indianapolis, she studied musical theatre at Columbia University in Chicago. Despite her passion, she didn’t land many roles in university productions, instead finding opportunities in summer stocks and community theatres. “I didn’t expect this to happen. Even one line of films would have been happy,” she says, recalling her early dreams.
Infinity introduces herself to Hollywood and the rest of the film lovers at the Season 12 premiere of the Variety Awards Circuit Podcast in Season 12. Please listen to the following:
Her name is a mashup of Nicole Kidman’s chase Meridian from “Batman Forever” and Pixar’s “Toy Story,” which she finds strangely prophetic for the actor who stepped into the Hollywood spotlight.
Chasing Infinity in “Next Battle”
©Warner Bros./Everett Collection
In “Fighting after Fight,” Willa is not a stock teenager. With a sharp sense of agency in the purple belts of martial arts and stomping agency, she appears as one of Anderson’s most persuasive young protagonists. “She’s assertive, but not overstated. She has hope. I think she represents the possibilities of a better future,” explains Infinity.
Infinity prepared for the role by traveling to Eureka, California with Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio (playing his father).
Infiniti shares the screen with DiCaprio, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor and two-time Oscar winner Sean Penn. The key sequence of Penn, where Willa undergoes a strained DNA test, was a lesson in her suppression and reactive acting. “It felt like sparring,” she explains. “He’s scary, but Paul (Thomas Anderson) encouraged us to lean on that raw, natural response. It was refreshing.”
Infinity is particularly keen on her praise for both Hall and Taylor during the sitdown. Speaking about Taylor’s performance, she said that she was “even more colorful” than what appeared on the page, and was “so amazing” and that she was “so amazing.”
As for Hall, Infinity highlighted how strong and delicate she brought to DeAndra’s role. “Deandra is a quiet character in a way, but she’s not quiet,” she insists. “She’s really the most central force in the film, and she’s pretty much polished with all the characters and does an amazing job of being Willa’s mother.
Despite being a starry sky company, Infinity admits that she is still adjusting. “Half of me thought I could be here. Half of me thought I could not. I had no industry connections or work on camera before this. Paul literally hired me without seeing my first job,” she says. “I’m on this press tour right now. It’s surreal.”
Meanwhile, Infinity’s real-life parents have taken it all. “My mother crys every time she sees the trailer. There’s a shot of Rock Joe holding a picture of Willa’s baby and she always says, ‘It’s my baby.’ ”
She has just arrived, but Infinity already dreams of a future role. She wants to work with Greta Gerwig and Steven Spielberg. And she speaks up about her passion for film musicals. “If they adapted ‘Natasha, Pierre, the Great Comet of 1812’ to the film, I don’t even have to book it. I just want to see Natasha,” she declares.
As for her advice to her younger self, Infinity was told to her: “You have nothing to prove, but it shows everything.”
©Warner Bros./Everett Collection
Quick fire questions with Chase Infinity
Favourite Paul Thomas Anderson movie (other than “The Next Battle”)?
“Boogie night.”
Your favorite Leonardo DiCaprio performance?
“If possible, grab me.”
Your favourite Benicio dello movie?
“A normal suspect.”
Favourite horror movie?
“Get out.” (Although she admits she is a self-proclaimed “scary cat.”
A movie that makes you cry every time?
“Toy Story 3”
The most entertaining movie ever?
“Fighting one after another.” (“It’s an action comedy!” she laughs.
Does the director want to do his job the most next time?
“Stephen Spielberg, Greta Gerwig, or Daniels. Honestly, anyone who wants to see me.”
The episode also features Dwayne Johnson, star and producer of Benny Safdy’s dramatic biopic The Smashing Machine.
Hosted by Clayton Davis, Jazz Tankay, Emily Morkate, Jenelle Riley and Michael Schneider, Variety’s “Award Circuit” podcast is the one-stop source of the best lively conversations in film and television. Each episode, “Awards Circuit,” features interviews with discussions and debates on top film and television talent, creative, award races and industry headlines. Subscribe via Apple Podcast, Stitcher, Spotify, or where you download podcasts.
