Superman Returns - Kate Bosworth interview

Bob Redford's just about set to live out his days being a grumpy old sod on a Wyoming ranch. This involves a spot of milking and miscellaneous ranch duties, looking after Morgan Freeman (who was mauled by a grizzly bear), and mourning his son. And then daughter-in-law Jennifer Lopez pitches up and re-opens all the old wounds surrounding his son's death. Big, wide open spaces for big, wide open themes of guilt, fear, forgiveness - that grizzly's lurking about as well, looking to re-open some old wounds in a rather more literal fashion. Director Lasse Hallstrom (Chocolat, Cider House Rules) holds the reins, and bona-fide, grade-A, 24-carat movie star Robert Redford chews the cud with us...

SS: What was it like for you to work in this genre for the first time?

Kate Bosworth: Do you know what? I felt like I had a unique experience on this one, mainly because of Bryan Singer. I went in and met with him and he expressed to me how important the characters were, and how important the emotion and the story are to the film. Rather than just making it a tremendous spectacle and amazing events and visual effects, I think Bryan's main focus was on the relationships between their characters and the development they have. Obviously, I think that many, many films look flashy, exciting and cool, but I think what Bryan's done for this film, which is really exciting, is made comic book characters seem important and relatable and that you care for them.

SS: If you could fly, how often would you use it and what would be the first place you would go?

KB: That's a really funny question. I'd use it all the time, and I'd probably go into outer space. I'd go where Superman goes to listen and to see the Earth from the point of view.

SS: Kevin says he flies in his dreams.

KB: Yeah, they're my favorite dreams. I have them very rarely and they're like little nuggets of gold when I have them because I love it. It's so much fun. It's amazing. And so, yeah, I'd love to be able to fly.

SS: Did you know when you were doing Beyond The Sea that you guys were going to be teaming up again?

KB: I hoped so because Kevin and I get along so well. I just adore him. We just have such a special relationship. So, I hoped so. I didn't know it was going to be so quickly. But it's been an absolute joy. I'm loving it. When you enjoy your experience with other people, there's the thought that you'll work with them again. Obviously, we hoped so. I didn't even realize that he was in talks to play Lex Luthor for Superman, so I didn't know if Bryan had approached him.

SS: How was the wire work?

KB: Well, it's fun the first time they hoist you up, and then the second time is where it becomes the reality of how uncomfortable it all is. But, you know what - it was incredible. I felt very lucky because I got to fly with Superman. And there are so few people that get to say that. So, I felt very fortunate the whole time, although hanging from wires from a harness can be pretty uncomfortable.

SS: How was it to shoot the airplane sequence?

KB: Well, that was probably the hardest sequence on me actually, more so than the sequence at the end. The airplane sequence is really, really full on. We did some work on first unit on that sequence. And then they moved it all to the second unit. So I would go to work, get thrown around on second unit, and then I'd go work on first unit in the afternoon on a scene.

SS: I know you're acting in this, but when does the experience affect your actual real life flying?

KB: Oh, flying is one of my biggest fears. So this is like playing my nightmare. This was not an easy sequence for me. I've probably added to it as well. No, I do not like to fly. It's not something I enjoy doing. And unfortunately I have to do it a lot. So, flying in that scene was really, really frightening for me.

SS: What do you think Brandon Routh brings to the role of Superman?

KB: Well, the first time I met Brandon, we were in a screen test. He already had the part, and I was going to audition. I was given two scenes, one with him as Clark Kent and one with him being Superman. I just remember the first time that I worked with him, I think he's done such a tremendous job. He plays it spot on, I think, and it's a really hard thing to do. I always say to people, "You don't realize how tough this role is." Because there's so much subtlety involved. If you played it too obvious, it would be ridiculous. And I think that he just played it with such a quiet strength as Superman and a really kind of sweet, clumsy Clark Kent, and I just saw a lot more emotion in him that we hadn't perhaps seen before. I think we got to see the human side of Superman that wasn't really tapped into.

SS: What kind of difference does scale of the film make to you as an actress?

KB: Well, I personally approach my character the same no matter what budget I'm on. It's just a different experience in terms of what you're making though. Obviously I was never hanging from wires and doing spectacular stunts in those types of films. It's a completely different style. I love different things about both. I think I feel more comfortable in independent films, and it's probably just because I've been here more. Big films can be intimidating. Fortunately, on this film, I never felt that when I was working because the people involved were so creative. I think Bryan Singer is someone who comes from a real creative, independent mentality. Making The Usual Suspects just out of film school just is so impressive to me. It's one of my favorite films. He has a mentality of a fantastic filmmaker that's making a summer blockbuster. And I think what I love about it is it does have those elements to it. It looks amazing; it's fun; it's entertaining, but it also has a real depth to it I think that people will really enjoy.

SS: Lois is in a situation where she has to choose between two wonderful men.

KB: Yeah. People always say it's a good problem to have. (laughs) It's not a bad problem. Jamie Marsden is one of my favorite people in the world. In the way that he played it, it's a hard choice for her. If he played it as this fiancé that was bitter and a jerk or whatever, it would just be an obvious decision. But he played it in a way that you just feel for him as well. You just think, "Oh, man, this is a dilemma. What are you going to do?" Because she's got two people that are wonderful. Obviously, Superman is her great love. And I think that everyone can relate to the fact of having that one person in their life where they have your heart. You can't explain it, it's just what's meant to happen in this lifetime; that person that just captures you in every way. But then you have the other people that you might come across, where they're so wonderful and dependable but they just don't capture you in that way. I think that's a human dilemma - not even just for women. Human beings are complicated when it comes to love. It's not an easy route.

SS: Are you nervous for auditions?

KB: Oh my God. Yeah, absolutely. I get so nervous. Any time I have to do a talk show or if I'm starting these kind of interviews. I'm more comfortable now because I'm doing them for awhile, but any time where you feel vulnerable, or that you're putting yourself out there in a group of people you don't know very well is intimidating. It's just the way it goes.

SS: Did you ever talk to Noel Neill, who portrayed Lois Lane in the TV series?

KB: Noel. Yeah, I did. She was lovely. She was really inspiring because she's obviously older, and she's so alive. It didn't look this way in the film, but she's so lively and sharp and intelligent. It's a long flight to Australia from L.A. And I was pretty wiped out. And she was just ready to go, excited, and I just thought, Man, I hope I have her spunk when I'm that age. You know, I hope I inherit that.

SS: Did she talk about the role?

KB: She didn't really, actually, because she's playing a role in this, so she was very much focused on what she had to do. And she just said, "Have fun. You know, enjoy it."

penultimate par here...

final par here... SS

Perry White
editor@screenselect.co.uk

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