Conclave Producer Michael Jackman Discusses the Craft of Subtle Compromise

      Michael Jackman, co-producer of the Best Picture-nominated film Conclave, emphasizes that compromise is inherent in filmmaking, yet it's crucial that the audience remains unaware of it.

      “I love problem-solving,” he shares with MovieMaker. “My specialty lies in bridging the creative vision of a director with our constraints of time and budget.

      “Our aim is to find solutions that don’t feel like compromises, but compromise is always present — we just want it to be unnoticeable. We strive to do this while preserving the highest standards of creative integrity. That’s the challenge, but also the enjoyable aspect.”

      With over 35 years in the industry, the producer has co-produced Denis Villeneuve’s Oscar-winning Arrival and served as executive vice president at FilmNation Entertainment. His filmography also includes Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York and Michel Gondry’s Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

      Conclave dramatizes one of the world’s most clandestine rituals — the election of a new Pope. Directed by Edward Berger (All Quiet on the Western Front) and inspired by Robert Harris’ esteemed novel, the film merges age-old traditions with a contemporary thriller motif. Central to the story is Cardinal Lawrence, portrayed by Ralph Fiennes, who is tasked with overseeing the conclave while grappling with a crisis of faith and the secrets left behind by the deceased Pope.

      The film has inspired countless memes and the creation of Pope Crave, a social media account that humorously reports fabricated stories about the movie's cardinals. Pope Crave even produced a Charity Zine in honor of the film.

      We chatted with Michael Jackman about addressing challenges, the broad appeal of Conclave, and the abundance of memes.

      Joshua Encinias: Conclave is Bruno Novelli's sole acting credit on IMDb. Can you tell me about casting him as the pope’s corpse?

      Michael Jackman: That’s correct, and many of our cardinals are also first-time actors. We needed men aged 60 to 80 and older for Bruno’s role. Our casting team discovered individuals who were excited to participate, despite it being new to them.

      Bruno was hilarious. Each day, he would ask someone from the costume department, “Do I have a line today?” and she would respond, “No, Bruno — you're the dead pope.” He'd just laugh and move on with his day. It was endearing. Normally, we wouldn’t credit someone without dialogue, but his role is so pivotal to the story. His expressions are crucial during key scenes, such as Ralph's dream sequence.

      Joshua Encinias: The film appears to have a cross-generational appeal.

      Michael Jackman: I love its broad appeal. Half of our U.S. audience was over 55, while the other half was between 18 and 55. We managed to draw older viewers back into theaters, who had previously been overlooked, while also captivating younger audiences who enjoy thrillers. And yes, the memes definitely contributed to that. Sergio Castellitto vaping as Tedesco became its own noteworthy meme moment.

      Joshua Encinias: What was your biggest challenge on Conclave, and how did you tackle it?

      Michael Jackman: This was an independent film with a limited budget. We had international pre-sales, equity funding, and tax credits from Italy. However, we had grand ambitions. It definitely doesn’t appear to be a low-budget independent film. Some aspects were quite challenging.

      We constructed a replica of the Sistine Chapel over 14 weeks. We required 104 cardinals as extras, which translates to thousands of labor hours over the filming period. It’s less costly in Italy compared to the U.S., but still represents considerable daily labor. We filmed over 42 days on a modest budget...

      We initially planned to shoot the umbrella scene at one location, but storms forced us to change plans just days before we were to start. Since they couldn’t guarantee when we could return, we needed to quickly adapt and find another location. We ended up using a courtyard with a fountain, where a flood of cardinals entered. It resulted in an even more visually stunning moment than our original concept.

      Joshua Encinias: I understand The Young Pope built sets for Vatican City that are available for rent. Did you utilize any of them for Conclave?

      Michael Jackman: We incorporated some of their sets. Some items had been in storage for years. Although some were worn out, we restored several elements. We also built our own full-scale replica of the Sistine Chapel, allowing actors to truly immerse themselves in the space and react authentically. They had Michelangelo’s The Last Judgment before them, which enhanced the depth of their characters’ portrayals.

      Joshua Encinias: How did your religious advisors, theology professor Francesco Bonomo and Father Elio Lops, shape your decisions?

      Michael Jackman: They provided guidance on numerous aspects, including how cardinals handle their