Geoffrey Rush as Albert Einstein GeniusDusan Martincek
Interview

Walter Isaacson on Genius, National Geographic’s ‘Genius’ and the Power of Imagination

Fans of Walter Isaacson’s exhaustive biographies know two things when they pick up his latest. One, it won’t be a quick read. And two, every moment will be worth it, as heroes of science and technology become irresistible in their humanity as much as their exceptional minds. The latter inspired filmmakers Gigi Pritzker, Ron Howard and Brian Grazer to choose Isaacson’s 2008 book Einstein: His Life and Universe as the launching point for their National Geographic series Genius — a series they hope will spark the imagination and wonder of viewers of all ages. And take the scary out of science, […]

Genius-National-GeographicNational Geographic/Dusan Martincek
Interview

National Geographic’s ‘Genius’: Meet the Two Mrs. Einsteins

• RELATED: ‘Genius’ — Geoffrey Rush Plays A Deliciously Human Einstein on Nat Geo • RELATED: ‘Genius’ — Geoffrey Rush and Johnny Flynn Talk Playing Einstein on National Geographic Framed by a monitor on the Prague set of National Geographic Channel’s Genius, Emily Watson’s face is a mask of quiet fury. Portraying Elsa Einstein, Albert’s first cousin and longtime lover, she is newly aware that his impending fame will expose the truth of their adulterous relationship. “Do anything,” she seethes, “to get free of Mileva.” They say that behind every great man, there is a great woman. In Einstein’s case, there were […]

Nat Geo
Interview

‘Genius’: Geoffrey Rush and Johnny Flynn Talk Playing Einstein on National Geographic

Geoffrey Rush done up as Einstein and killing time on bench outside the enormous Prague soundstage where National Geographic’s Genius filmed begs an instant double take. For actor/musician Johnny Flynn, embodying the younger Albert proved a bit more challenging. • RELATED: ‘Genius’: Geoffrey Rush Plays A Deliciously Human Einstein on National Geographic • RELATED: National Geographic’s ‘Genius’: Meet the Two Mrs. Einsteins! “All the footage that exists of him is after he came to America,” Flynn explains of the man he calls “quite maverick and punk.” “The exciting thing about the potential in this show is to create an idea of […]

Geoffrey Rush as Albert Einstein in Nat Geo's GeniusDusan Martinsek
Drama

‘Genius’: Geoffrey Rush Plays A Deliciously Human Einstein on Nat Geo

Think “genius” and your next thought is probably “Einstein.” Think “Einstein” and your next thought is probably “E=mc2.” And after that? For most of us, not too much. National Geographic, in conjunction with Ron Howard and Brian Grazer’s Imagine Entertainment, aims to change that with Season 1 of its planned anthology series Genius, which profiles the German-born physicist. • RELATED: We talk Einstein with ‘Genius’ stars Geoffrey Rush and Johnny Flynn • RELATED: National Geographic’s ‘Genius’: Meet the Two Mrs. Einsteins! The true genius of Genius is how it turns its source material, Walter Isaacson’s 700-page Einstein: His Life and […]