If you’re counting down the days until Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens, you only need ONE FINGER to count….because TOMORROW is the DAY! Today I’d like to introduce two newcomers to the Star Wars family.
- Lupita Nyong’o who plays Maz Kanata
- Oscar Isaac who plays Poe Dameron
While it was TOO early for any spoilers (and still is), we did get the inside scoop on what it’s like to walk into a role in the most anticipated film of the year.
What can you tell us about your characters?
Lupita: I can tell you that my character’s name is Maz Kanata and she is a pirate and owns a bar.
Oscar: I can say that Poe Dameron is a pilot, not a pirate and he is committed to the resistance and to defeating the first order. He believes in the force and he can be a little reckless in wanting to prove that he is, he is a leader and a hero and I think he also has that swagger and confidence that comes from people that can soar above everyone else and do all these things at once like, like fighting a fighter jet and getting into these dog fights and be so close to the edge of death and that definitely influences how he operates in the world.
Did you grow up with the Star Wars movies?
Lupita: I was born into Star Wars. I feel it was a very normal part of my childhood. It would come on public holidays on national television. We only had two channels so Star Wars was on and everybody watched it and was familiar with it because it was all there was to watch on TV. We all loved it, it was just a very normal comfortable, cozy part of my imaginative folklore.
Oscar: The first movie I ever saw in the theater was Return of the Jedi, amazingly. It definitely changed my life. It kind of blew my little kid brain and I was a huge fan, and my family were very big fans. Every time a new film would come out we’d throw themed parties and memorize the fight scenes to a “T” and terrorize my family with them. So for me Star Wars always represented coming together as a family and, and having a great time.
What was the first thing that you did when you found out that you actually got the part?
Lupita: I took out my suitcase. I really did. I got my suitcase. I literally found out like two days before I needed to be in London, so I had to pack.
Oscar: I was in a hotel room in London so I just blasted the Star Wars theme and I grabbed the shampoo bottle and started using it like an x wing. That’s what I did.
What was it like to see your character for the first time?
Oscar: It’s strange. It’s difficult to process. There are a lot of mixed emotions because you’re seeing it as a fan. You’re seeing the new thing, and you’re exhilarated by that. You’re understanding what the world is because it’s one thing to see it all put together. I was being affected as a viewer and then also the memories of what shooting was like, what takes were used, what takes were not used, what was moved to another place, and how it affects the film.
Lupita: When I signed on to play Maz they were still developing the character, her role in the film, and what she was going to look like. They welcomed me into that conversation which was really cool to see. I got to be a part of the early stages of her and how she’s evolved over time because she’s CGI they’ve been working on her for a long time. Then to finally see the film and to see what became of her, and somehow it’s me but it’s definitely not me it’s bizarre. I’ve never seen myself in another body. So, it was just as confusing and bizarre and titillating.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens – opens TOMORROW – December 18th
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