Samantha Morton Reveals CGI-Free Pig Transformation in Nolan's The Odyssey at 49

3 articles · Updated · Vanity Fair · Jul 20

Morton said Circe’s pig-transformation scene in The Odyssey used no CGI, relying on in-camera effects, practical techniques and her hand movements to make the change feel visceral.
The 49-year-old actor said her brief stint as a magician’s assistant helped her embrace the illusion, while puppetry and theater traditions shaped how she sold the sequence on screen.
Scotland, where her foster parents live, also fed her performance: Morton said the familiar landscape deepened Circe’s bond to her island home and her sense of the character as an embodiment of women’s historical pain.
Nolan’s production left a strong impression beyond the scene itself, with Morton recalling one take that drew crew applause and praising the director’s humility during the film’s global rollout.
Morton, a two-time Oscar nominee, also said young actresses such as co-star Zendaya face a harder industry now because social media and constant scrutiny have raised the pressure on women.