Production on Charlie's Angels wrapped in June 2000.
Her passion for moviemaking extending into every detail of the craft, Barrymore is grateful for the talented team of artists and performers that surrounded her. "Whether it's Russell Carpenter's cinematography, Sam Rockwell's unique way of giving life to 'Eric Knox,' Crispin Glover's take on his character, the way Bill Murray saw 'Bosley' or Tim Curry, Kelly Lynch, Tom Green, Matt LeBlanc, Luke Wilson, LL Cool J and the rest of the cast and crew," she says, "it was important to me to work with people who would bring themselves to this film— whether it was through who they truly are or through the characters they created."
"Drew has been a driving force from the beginning," sums up Goldberg.
McG has also left an indelible imprint on his feature film debut. Says Lucy Liu, "I hope people feel McG's energy and fearlessness and understand how difficult it is to be brave- especially when people are saying 'no,' and you're saying 'yes."'
Of McG, Diaz adds, "There was never a day when he wasn't at the height of excitement. The movie is driven by that energy. His enthusiasm and energy are the movie." In fact, says Bill Murray, "if you put a nickel in McG, he'll tell you the movie shot for shot, scene for scene, from start to finish."
The director, however, will tell you that it is the actors that make the movie—and the filmmaking experience—what it is. "I knew she was going to be charming, and clearly her beauty is other-worldly," he says of Cameron Diaz. "But after spending time with her, you realize the long-term effect that her take on life has on everybody around her. She chooses to be as professional as she can and take her craft as high as she can.
"It's infectious," he declares. "You start to see the crew standing taller."
The director is equally complimentary of Liu. "Lucy was an answer to our prayers. She's classy, professional, and yet she has a great touch with the comedic elements of the film. She was the ideal third piece of the puzzle, and she really plays off Cameron and Drew perfectly."
Of Barrymore, with whom McG has interacted daily for two years, the director says, "it's no accident that Drew is Drew. She has the experience of a seasoned Hollywood veteran, but she combines that with the lightness of youth. She makes you smile when you get up in the morning and gives you what you need through the day. And she tucks you in feeling great about what you've achieved."
"She has an incredible head for business," notes Juvonen of Barrymore as a film producer. "She doesn't need to wear her producing hat all the time," she says, "but when she puts it on, it's very clear."
With the new film version, the concept of "Charlie's Angels" is still breaking ground more than 20 years since the television show first aired. "The action movie is the last bastion of the male star," says Leonard Goldberg. "But I think the Angels of 2000 may just change that."
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