Mahershala Ali Cries Recalling ‘Moonlight’ Scene, Keeps Quiet on ‘Spider-Verse’ at London Talk: ‘I’ve Got to Be Careful’

Mahershala Ali became tearful while recalling the emotional force of *Moonlight* at a BFI London Film Festival talk, saying the film made its often unseen characters feel personal. The moment came as he discussed a scene in which young Chiron asks Juan, the character Ali played, whether he sells drugs.

Ali said he drew on a man from his upbringing when shaping Juan, and reflected on the backlash to *Green Book*, while continuing to stand by the film and what he learned from it. He also avoided revealing details about his role in *Beyond the Spider-Verse*, joking that he might not even be in it, and described the demanding schedule for *True Detective*.