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Why should CBMers buy the Captain America DVD/blu-ray?
The exciting thing about it is the behind-the-scenes and "the making of" it, which is really thrilling and I think it gives the audience that little sneak peek into what we as actors and the crew experienced as we spent 8 months working on the film itself. There is a lot of bonus material there that will give people a real hoot and a greater understanding of what it took to make this great movie.
Is there a lot of extra stuff with you in it? Maybe a lost sex scene with Chris?
(Laughs) No, I don't think people are interested in seeing that. I think they'd rather see Peggy holding a gun. Um. There's a little bit more of me. I haven't seen all of it myself. I've been working on a play in London, but I'm excited to see it. And anyone who is a fan of comics or the character will want to have it. Especially coming up to Christmas. It's the perfect piece of memorabilia.
Are you still in touch with Chris Evans and has he told you any spoilers about the Avengers movie?
No. Only that he's having a tremendous amount of fun making it. He is the consummate professional and won't give me any more information than he should because he knows me too well and knows that I'd be too excited and tell everyone.
So, how did you get the role and what made you WANT to do a comic book movie? This is so different from anything you've done.
Well, its for that very reason ... that it WAS so very different from what I'd been doing, which is part of what I love about being an actor--having variety in your life. I felt my career was going down a path, which was so wonderful, but was becoming quite "set" and I wanted to show audiences that I've got quite a lot more in me. So, I thought it was about time to change genres. And when Captain America came up, I absolutely grabbed it with both hands. I did every thing that I could to show them that I'd be good in the role. I initially met with Joe and we talked about the script and the kind of love interest that he wanted for Steve Rogers. And he wanted someone who could bring a kind of "truth" to the character, not just a two-dimensional, hot-looking woman, but someone that was a bit more complicated and could show that there was a bit more going on there. I like bringing that to my characters because its more fun to play. There's more than what's just written on the page. So, we talked a little about that. Then when it came to the screen test there was a full day where I had lots of dialog to learn, and a fight sequence to learn so he could see how physically I can move, and that whole experience eventually led to getting cast in it. It was a really exciting but terrifying time because I wanted it so much.
And you picked a good one. I think this was the best comic book movie of the year.
Ahh, thanks.
It's grossed over 350 million worldwide, but initially there was concern that it wouldn't do well outside the U.S. As a Brit, why do you think it's done so well internationally?
I think its just a good story that people can relate to. It's not as patriotic and about America, I think, as the title suggests. Once word of mouth got around that it was a good film in and of itself--that it wasn't trying to make any political statment, then it became more universal. This is the great thing about stories. If the story is good, then it doesn't matter where it comes from. And I think it helped that you're casting a real mix of people. You know, we had Germans, Australians, British people in the film, and that makes it wider and more approachable.
Obviously you got on well with Chris Evans, are you at all disappointed that you didn't "get it on" with Steve Rogers?
Yeah! Of course! I think Peggy's absolutely heartbroken. I think she's still waiting at the stork club for that date. She's probably an alcholoic by now.
You know, Steve did not try that hard to live in the final scene of the movie. It seemed like he wanted to die. Are you sure he just wasn't trying to end the relationship?
(laughs) Oh my god! What a coward he would be!
Maybe he just wasn't that into you?
I'm gonna die. Maybe he just wasn't that into me?
You know, it seemed to me that he could've gotten off of that plane somehow--landed it somewhere he could've survived. Yet he just blew you right off?
OK, now I'm pissed. I think I'm going to go find Thor and see what he's up to.
That is actually my next question. Who is the hottest live-action Avenger? And you can't say Chris Evans. That would be a cop out.
OK,OK, I'm gonna have to say, I am MASSIVE Robert Downey Jr. fan. He is THE MAN. He is just consistently incredible throughout his career. And talent to me is so attractive. Everyone in The Avengers is incredible but I've always had a soft spot for Robert ever since I saw him in Chaplin. Yes. I'm sticking with Robert Downey because I think what he's done with Iron Man is incredible. He's so charismatic, he brings so much to the role.
OK, now the DC live-action characters: Henry Cavill, Christian Bale or Ryan Reynolds?
OH! Ryan Reynolds! (laughs) I'm a Ryan Reynolds fan. Yeah, it's gotta be. He's just so funny as well. Christian Bale is an amazing actor but I'd be terrified to be in a room with him. I don't know what he would do. He might try to eat me alive. So, I'm gonna go with Ryan.
And what IS the deal with all you Brits taking our prime superhero roles? Is this the crown trying to take back the colonies via Hollywood?
Well, it's a difficult thing. My family is originally from Kansas City Missouri, so I'm not completely British. That is one thing. But the other side is, Brits are hard working actors who have a heritage of the theater and classical training which I think gives us a very strong work ethic and a craft. And I think Americans more than anyone appreciate that kind of level of hard work, and I think when the Brits, when their willing to do it, they really show their skills and determination.
And they do better American accents that we do English accents, let's face it.
Hmmmm. Yeah. (laughs) OK.
Our thanks to Hayley for the interview! Buy
Captain America: The First Avenger on Blu-ray and DVD on October 25th.