TORONTO—While preparing for the role of Chris McCandless within Sean Penn's new film Into the Wild, Emile Hirsch pushed beyond just physical exercises.
"I would pose a lot of mini-challenges to myself," said Hirsch.
"I am going to clean my entire apartment spotless and I am not going to stop until every grain of dust is completely organized."
Hirsch strived to be thorough and organized to the level that he understood McCandless to be through the stories shared from McCandless's family.
"I had heard of McCandless that when he would start a job he would finish it. That was something which I was not necessarily used to always doing, so this was like teaching me how to do that."
There were few liberties permitted in the physical preparation either, which instilled a sense of discipline in Hirsch.
"The physical side was just rigorous, rigorous, rigorous running and hiking and endurance tests," said Hirsch.
Based upon the book of the same title, authored by Jon Krakauer, Into the Wild details the life of Christopher McCandless and his departure from society.
After graduating with an exceptional academic record from Emory University, McCandless ended up giving away his savings, burning his money and identification, and disappearing into the wilderness, before dying at the age of 24.
Ten years would pass from the publication of the book before Penn would write, produce, and direct the film.
Eventually, after much effort on the part of Penn, the McCandless family agreed that Chris's story could to be told through Penn's eyes.
"This was a very raw, fresh wound with the family when the book first came out. They felt very appreciative of John Krakauer for tracing the steps that they weren't capable of tracing at that time," said Penn.
Both Penn and Hirsch have a great sense of respect for McCandless, whose strength of will led him to take on things many others would find to difficult to achieve.
"I was struck by this story of a guy with the courage to go into the wild, and when you are a young child the idea of doing that is unthinkable; at least it was for me," said Hirsch.
The film also costars William Hurt, Marcia Gay Hardin, Katherine Keener, Vince Vaughn, and Jena Malone.
Into the Wild opens Friday, September, 21st.
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