In an interview conducted and released by Warner Bros. Home Video, Mad Men actress Elisabeth Moss talks in detail about her role as Arisia in the highly anticipated Green Lantern: Emerald Knights, also commenting on what it's like working on an animated feature and whether there are any other comic book characters she'd be interested in lending her voice to.
What’s the essence of Arisia’s story in Green Lantern: Emerald Knights?
It’s sort of Arisia’s first day on the job, so there’s a huge learning curve for her. She’s just been basically plucked out of class on her home planet and thrown into this intergalactic police force – just as the universe is under attack. So it’s all very overwhelming for her. But she’s smart and courageous, so she rises to the occasion.
You get years to develop your character on shows like Mad Men and The West Wing. Was it difficult to have just one day in Arisia’s shoes?
Well, I really love Arisia’s boots – they’re very cool, I like their style – so I like being in her shoes (she laughs). Animation is great because you’re part of a large team effort. I’m only required to provide my voice for a single character, and to act that role while the director and writers and animators create the entire story. So it’s fun to see that all come together, especially to see an animated sort-of version of yourself.
What was it about Arisia that attracted you to the character?
I like that she’s strong, and at the same time she’s a pretty girl. But she really adapts well to her first day on the job, and she has a lot of responsibility. I think she’s a nice, strong female character.
You’ve been away from animation for many years. What prompted the return?
It sounded like a cool thing to do, and it sounded like a lot of fun – something great to do on a day off from Mad Men.
I’ve always wanted to do more animation. I think it’s a really fun job; Obviously, it has a certain ease to it, but at the same time it can be difficult. There’s technical things that I’m not very good at or that I’m just learning, things about your voice and making clicking sounds and (using) the headphones … but it’s fun to learn and it’s definitely something I’d like to get to do more of.
Do you find animation is more liberating than on-screen acting?
What’s liberating about animation is that you can show up in your jeans and t-shirt and not worry about make-up or hair style. You can show up in your pajamas if you want. That’s tremendously liberating, as opposed to going through three hours of hair and make-up before going before the camera for my day job. So it’s much more relaxing.
So you’d like to do more voiceovers. Are you seeking any particular roles?
I’m not familiar enough with all the comic book characters to choose. I’m just happy to be asked to do anything. I couldn’t necessarily pick one – I would just like to be involved with whatever somebody thought I was suitable for.
Green Lantern: Emerald Knights will be available from June 7th, and you can read my review by clicking
HERE.