Gabriel LaBelle has a monumental task on his hands as the up-and-coming talent is set to play a fictionalized version of acclaimed director Steven Spielberg in The Fabelmans. The film is loosely based on the childhood of Spielberg, as we follow Sammy Fabelman growing up in post-World War II Arizona from age seven to eighteen. During this time, Sammy discovers a shattering family secret and explores how the power of movies helps us see the truth about each other and ourselves.

Jake Coyle from AP News sat down with LaBelle, whose most notable credits to date include The Predator (2018), Dead Shack, and Brand New Cherry Flavor. The young actor discussed his role in The Fabelmans and his relationship with Spielberg on set. During the interview, LaBelle says the filmmaker would often let him interpret the character how he wanted, allowing for a sense of freedom in the role.

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The first reviews for The Fabelmans began to pour in following the exclusive premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. The movie currently holds a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes with 23 reviews, setting itself up to be one of the best pieces of work from Steven Spielberg. The Fabelmans will head to theaters on Nov. 11, later this year.

“Our main focus was the movie. Yes, I could go talk to him and go off about his life but I could tell he wasn’t going to unload it all to us. We had to ask. We had to go at it scene by scene. It was really just about what’s the purpose of each moment. How did you feel? What do you want out of me? Sometimes he’d tell me and sometimes he wouldn’t want me to know and he’d want me to just do what I thought Sammy should do.

LaBelle Says His Own Anxiety Mirrored Sammy’s at Times

     Universal Pictures

It’s always great for an actor to relate to his character counterpart, and LaBelle admits he did with The Fabelmans and Sammy. During his AP interview, the actor says he was beyond nervous when he reenacted 15-year-old Spielberg’s experience of meeting director John Ford for the first time. Ford is played by David Lynch, with LaBelle saying Lynch, “Scared the s–t out of me.”

LaBelle’s most recent work includes American Gigolo, the Showtime series starring Jon Bernthal based on the 1980 film. The series released its first episode on Sept. 9, with the following seven episodes set to premiere every Friday. The Fabelmans will be Spielberg’s latest directorial effort following his work on West Side Story, which received seven Oscar nominations and one win. Be sure to check out The Fabelmans when the film releases in theaters on Nov. 11.

“I mean, he’s a great guy. But leading up to it, Sammy’s nervous, so I’m getting nervous. He walks into the room and Steven goes over. It’s David Lynch and Steven Spielberg talking. My coverage wasn’t going to be until later, so I’m waiting and waiting to do that scene. It really helped me get nervous to meet him.”