If you only know Kate Beckinsale from blockbusters like “Van Helsing,” “Underworld” and “Pearl Harbor,” you don’t really know Kate.
The 34-year-old British beauty has been an in-demand actress for 15 years now, beginning with her early work in British theatrical and television films (including an adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Emma”). She also has serious indie cred thanks to her work in films like “The Last Days of Disco” and “Laurel Canyon.”
But most people now think of her as an über-fit spandex-clad raven-haired action heroine. And she’s fine with that, really.
Of course she’d also love for Hollywood to remember she can play normal people too, a fact splendidly showcased by the haunting new indie
“Snow Angels.” Metromix spoke with Beckinsale about her latest role, her unconventional relationship with her ex-husband and her secret desire to star in...a comedy!?
What attracted you to "Snow Angels"? Had you seen [director] David Gordon Green's other films?I'd seen “All the Real Girls.” He sent me the script [for “Snow Angels”], I read it and liked it and I watched his other stuff. I thought he seemed very interesting. When I met him he was even more interesting. I was struck by how much he liked laughing.
David has said that he wanted to cast actors who could bring a sense of humor to the dark material, what’s your take on that?
My character goes on such a horrific journey throughout the movie. You can't start there, you've got nowhere to go. One of the things I really wanted to do was to make her a real person, a flawed person—as much as capable as having a fun, light moment as well as being very oppressed by her circumstances. However miserable I've been, real life has other stuff in it.
Actresses seem to jump at roles that aren’t glamorous, was that something you thought about with “Snow Angels”?
Not so much. If I like the script, I like the script. It
is nice to not have the first thing about the character be “she’s hot” or “her butt is cute.” That makes a refreshing change.
Your career has had these kind of waves. You started out as a delicate British actress then turned into a hardcore action heroine and now you're segueing into some more substantial dramatic roles.
It's not been a plan as such, but one of the things that
has been a plan is to not be stuck doing the same thing. I really wanted to avoid being pigeon-holed. What's difficult is that it doesn't matter how many independent dramas or small comedies you do, if you do a couple of really big blockbuster movies you're going to get pigeon-holed for those because more people have seen them.
I did "Laurel Canyon" then "Underworld" then "Van Helsing" then "The Aviator," so for me it felt like flip-flop, flip-flop, but perception wise, the number of people who were aware "Laurel Canyon" was even made versus the people who were aware "Van Helsing" was made is so different. [“Snow Angels”] feels so much like a return to what I know better. For me the stretch was really “Underworld.” That was the big moment where I went “I want to try something I’ve never tried before.”
Was it a satisfying change?
In terms of acting those movies can feel a little frustrating. They’re so stylistically motivated that your process gets stopped a lot because you’ve got to have your chin down or your arms a certain way. I find that extremely difficult and oppressive. Fortunately I’ve done most of those movies with my husband [“Underworld” and “Live Free or Die Hard” director Len Wiseman] who I can yell at. I go “oh my god, that’s a terrible idea, you call yourself a director?” but of course he’s right. It’s just a very different set of muscles.
Speaking of your husband, you two are still close with your ex-husband [actor] Michael Sheen, who was in “Underworld” and the upcoming prequel that your current husband is producing. Is there any secret to making that work?
Just being incredibly groovy. [
laughs] No, I think it’s because I pick great guys. I love Michael, I think Michael’s fantastic. It just couldn’t have gone on forever with us, but he’s one of my absolute favorite people ever. I think we both felt it was really important for our daughter to have everyone in the same place. The guys are cool, they get along well. I feel like that’s my major achievement of the last decade, my daughter has come out totally unscathed.
Does she show any signs of wanting to go into show business?
She’s quite adamant about not wanting to be an actress but then she’ll tell her dad he should make a movie with a little girl in the lead, so I don’t know. I keep telling him he should make a movie with a 34-year-old woman in the lead and I’m having no success with that.
Obviously there’s going to be a box office ceiling for something like “Snow Angels,” does that concern you at all?
I feel like these movies get the audience they require. Some of the teenage boys who went to see “Underworld” are not going to have the emotional wherewithal to make it through a movie like this. Not to completely generalize about teenage boys, but they’re different audiences. If I was looking to make $23 million on a weekend with “Snow Angels” then I’d be an idiot. It’s not that kind of movie. But one of the reasons I’m able to help get “Snow Angels” made is because I’ve done the other kinds of movies.
Do you feel like that puts more pressure on you in a smaller movie? Or is the pressure greater on a bigger film?
It depends. I always feel pressure. I always want to do the best job I can. I remember when “Pearl Harbor” came out, they called me to say it’s made x-bajillion dollars on the weekend. I didn’t know if that was a good thing or a bad thing. It’s nice to retain your innocence as an actor. Once you start thinking like a producer the same time as acting I feel like it has to stop some creative flow. I’m impressed by people who are able to have their eye on everything.
Is there a type of film you haven’t done yet that you’re eager to try?
I would love to do a comedy. I’ve spent the last decade looking for a comedy where the girl is funny.
Right, you were the straight woman in “Click”…
Yes, I like comedies and I like laughing so much. So far I’ve only been around it, rather than being a
part of it. It’s harder, a “40-Year-Old Virgin” about a woman would be…not funny. It doesn’t flip like that. Women don’t like to see other women being hurt or falling over, it doesn’t make them laugh.
The kind of comedies I think really work well for women are things like “Election” and “To Die For.” Those kind of character-based comedies that don’t come around very often. Something where the character is funny because it’s a good character, not because she’s falling over or going “oh my god, I’m about to get married!” I don’t want to do that. The whole wedding thing I’m over… [
laughs]
You need to find exactly the right filmmaker.
Exactly and one who doesn’t go “but hold on, that’s the chick from ‘Underworld.’” There’s that to deal with too.
Is it true that you don’t drive, even though you live in L.A.?
Yes.
Are you just scared?
No. I was planning on [getting a license] last summer. I will. It was kind of cute and attractive when I was 19 but now it’s becoming just weird. The more cats I get, the more freaky the whole thing is.
I read that you were working on writing a script, is that still the case?
I’ve been threatening that for a very long time. There’s a book I’d like to adapt. I’m such a literature fan, I feel like that’s my home.
Can you say what the book is?
No, it’s definitely in that stage where I’m threatening it more than actually planning it.
And ideally you would be in it as well?
I think it would be so ludicrous of me to spend a year writing a script and not write myself a part. I’m already married to a director, who I’m constantly sleeping with, who is not giving me a part in a film. I’ve got to take care of myself!
Take a look at Kate Beckinsale's roles through the years.
