Courteney Cox on Eight-Year Struggle to Make 'Evil Genius'

Courteney Cox has spoken about the lengthy journey behind her directorial project Evil Genius, a dark comedy thriller she spent eight years bringing to the screen.

The film, written by Courtenay Miles and starring Patricia Arquette and David Harbour, draws on the 2003 "pizza bomber" case. Cox said the production faced repeated setbacks, including a lockdown and two separate strikes, which made it difficult to get off the ground.

"It was really hard to get off the ground," she said, adding that she worked on it through all the obstacles and could not let it go. "I had to make this," she said, describing how she fought through the delays.

Cox, 62, said she had a great experience directing the project and praised its cast and crew. Her daughter Coco, 22, whom she shares with ex-husband David Arquette, appears in a small role.

"Coco is a small part in Evil Genius, but she's a really good actor," Cox said, noting that her daughter takes acting seriously and has studied at the William Esper Studio. She added that she looks forward to directing her at greater length in the future.

The actor also reflected on her preference for projects that endure, pointing to her decade on Friends, six seasons of Cougar Town and seven Scream films. "If I like something, I want it to last," she said, describing herself as exhausting because she cares deeply about every detail of the work she takes on.

Alongside her acting and filmmaking, Cox has continued developing Homecourt, the luxury homecare and fragrance brand she launched in 2022.