Kirsten Dunst Interview, Spider Man 3

We had a chance to talk to Kirsten Dunst about her role in SpiderMan 3 this week and she also spilled the beans on 4, 5 & 6. KIRSTEN DUNST recently starred in Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette opposite Jason Schwartzman and in the Cameron Crowe film Elizabethtown opposite Orlando Bloom.  Prior to that, she starred in Wimbledon as a young tennis ace opposite Paul Bettany, and reprised her role as Mary Jane Watson in Spider-Man™ 2, a role she originated two years earlier in Spider-Man™.

Dunst also starred in the acclaimed surreal comedy Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, written by Academy Award® nominee Charlie Kaufman, directed by Michel Gondry, and starring Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, and Mark Ruffalo; Mona Lisa Smile with Julia Roberts, Julia Stiles, and Maggie Gyllenhaal; the independent film Levity starring Billy Bob Thornton and Morgan Freeman; Peter Bogdanovich’s The Cat’s Meow; the box-office hit Bring It On; Crazy/Beautiful, directed by John Stockwell; Little Women, with Susan Sarandon and Winona Ryder; Jumanji, with Robin Williams; Mother Night, with Nick Nolte; the Barry Levinson film Wag The Dog, starring Dustin Hoffman and Robert DeNiro; Neil Jordan’s Interview with the Vampire, opposite Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt; and Small Soldiers,with the late Phil Hartman.  She is set to star in an as-yet-untitled film about the late Marla Ruzicka, a relief worker who advocated for Iraqi and Afghani victims of the American-led invasions of their respective countries.

Dunst has amassed a growing list of accolades. Her performance in Interview with the Vampire earned her a Golden Globe nomination, the Blockbuster Video Award for Best Supporting Newcomer, and an MTV Award for Best Breakthrough Artist. The Hollywood Reporter also named Dunst Best Young Star for her portrayal of a teenage prostitute for the hit series "E.R.”  Earlier this year, she was awarded Female Star of the Year at ShoWest.

Dunst got her start at the age of three, when she began filming television commercials. With more than 50 commercials under her belt, she made the jump to the big screen in 1989 with Woody Allen’s New York Stories.   Her career has not been limited to the big screen. In addition to her work on "E.R.,” she starred on Showtime’s "The Outer Limits” and "Devil’s Arithmetic” produced by Dustin Hoffman and Mimi Rogers, the telefilm "Ruby Ridge: An American Tragedy,” the Wonderful World of Disney’s "Tower of Terror,” and Lifetime Television’s "15 and Pregnant.”   Here is what she had to tell us:

Q: Is this the end of your experience with Mary Jane, or do you see yourself doing 4, 5 and 6?

Dunst: I think that this is definitely the end to this trilogy. I think that we’ve closed this chapter. But if Sam and Tobey and I were to come back together, we would definitely do another movie.

Q: Were you playing the Mary Jane afterstory line, not thinking about the special effects?

Dunst: On this one, they’re finally together and she is successful in what she’s doing, and he’s been embraced by the city of New York and getting all these accolades. It’s blowing his head up a little bit. Slowly, we start to unravel Mary Jane, their relationship—they’re already ignoring things within that—it doesn’t help that he takes on this other darkness that envelopes his character, and brings out all the things that he’s not dealing with in his life and all his anger really heightens that.

Q: Can you get focused in your character’s storyline and not think about Sandman’s story?

Dunst: Oh, I just focus on what I’m doing. It’s a surprise when I see the movie because I don’t know what half of it’s going to look like. I saw Thomas and I said, ‘hey, we’re in the same movie.’ We all had our separate lives and stories going on, which makes sense because that’s what it’s like in the film.

Q: Did you enjoy singing?

Dunst: I was just happy that she finally got a gig. I’ve always sang so it wasn’t a big deal to me. I could prerecord it and just lip-synch to it.

Q: Have you heard about the musical?

Dunst: Yeah, that’s amazing. I heard about it today. U2? That’s incredible. That’s the coolest ever—I mean, Julie Taymor directing? I was shocked, because usually when they do that kind of reinvention thing, they get a little cheesy. But that’s incredible. I was shocked.

Q: Would you like to do Broadway?

Dunst: I could never sing live in front of a big audience. I’m not a Broadway actress. No, no, no.

Q: Are you going to play Debbie Harry?

Dunst: Yeah, but it’s too early to talk about it.

Q: There’s a reprise of the upside down kiss with Tobey. Did you kind of think, hey, that’s my kiss?

Dunst: I don’t want to give too much away, but yeah, can you imagine how hurt you would be if you had this intimate moment with the love of your life and that’s kind of duplicated in some cavalier way? That’s kind of heartbreaking.

Q: What about Mary Jane’s unraveling, she doesn’t really tell him….

Dunst: There wasn’t an opportunity. Also, there’s a responsibility in a relationship when someone’s doing something that they’re really excited about, you don’t want to put (your problems) on them that day. There’s a time and a place. Then there was that other thing that happened at the keys to the city ceremony, so it just kind of builds and builds and builds.

Q: Did you know how to do the twist?

Dunst: Yeah. I can do the twist. I dance. They brought me all the way down to Culver City and I was like, why are we here? Twist lessons. Are you kidding me? You brought me all the way down here to do the twist? It’s not the hardest dance in the world. I did a twist lesson with James, helped him out a little bit.

Q: Was it funny watching Tobey dance at the jazz club?

Dunst: It was so funny and I had to have a reaction of ‘Peter, what’s wrong with you?’, but I couldn’t even have Tobey do it, because I would just laugh when he was dancing. I just couldn’t help myself. It’s so ridiculous. I just couldn’t deal with it. And I had to be in a shocked, what’s-happened-to-Peter mode. Meanwhile, he’s doing all these pelvic twists and thrusts. I couldn’t watch Tobey do it anymore. I was just laughing way too much.

Q: Having done three of these superhero films, is it disappointing that you don’t get to do superhero stuff yourself? Would you like to see more female superheroes in film?

Dunst: Honestly, I have absolutely no interest in being a superhero. I got to throw a cinderblock in this one, which was fine. That’s enough action for me. If I were to do any superhero-esque film, I’d do some werewolf, avant-garde in-the-streets-of Paris or something. Like something really cool. Remember that movie with the vampire.

Q: Interview with the Vampire?

Dunst: No, like I’m going to reference my own film and act like I don’t know what it is, that would be so lame. No, it was called "The Lost Boys.” Something that’s cool like that.

Q: What about the Barbarella remake?

Dunst: No, I don’t want to wear that outfit. That’s too revealing. I don’t want to be worrying about wearing a bikini through an entire film.

Q: Does your acting process evolve as you work on different movies, such as going from a drama like Marie Antoinette to a comic book movie like Spider-Man?

Dunst: After I did Marie Antoinette, we hardly talked in that movie, it was a very sensorial way of working. It’s all about the way the fabrics felt, the way the food tasted and smelled, and how the air felt. I never concentrated so intently on just that. Afterwards, I realized all these things. While I was doing it, I was aware of it, but you can’t be too aware of yourself. Then, when I started to work on Spider-Man, I realized all these tools I had that I didn’t realize I had before. I learn new things on every movie and so it really helped me in this.

Q: Do you ever go over the top because it’s a comic book movie? Is it exactly the same kind of acting?

Dunst: For me, yes, except you’re in fantastical situations, but I hope I didn’t. Did I? It gets sticky when you get to the blue-screen stuff; I just forgive myself for bad acting when it comes to those things. If I’m good in that, it’s just incredible, because those things are hard to do. I had no idea what was going to be in the film. And some of those lines are hard to pull off sometimes too.

Q: Is there anything you wish Mary Jane could have done in these three films that you didn’t. Did you have ideas that were shot down?

Dunst: Yeah, I suggested she shouldn’t be in peril in the third one.

Q: Have you, Sam and Tobey talked about this being over?

Dunst: No. We haven’t had that moment.

Q: Do you see it coming?

Dunst: No. Give us a little time, please.

Q: In Spider-Man II, there was talk that Tobey wasn’t going to come back after he was injured…

Dunst: I remember that time very well. (laughs)

Q: If Sam decides to come back but Tobey doesn’t, would you do Spider-Man 4?

Dunst: No, I wouldn’t.

Q: Do you think your Mary Jane should be with Tobey’s "Spider-Man?”

Dunst: Right. Hands down, yes.

Q: How different has Mary Jane become through the three movies? How different is Kirsten after doing six years of Spider-Man

Dunst: Well, for me, I think on the first movie I was so much younger. I was so much more impressionable and insecure so I didn’t have the confidence that I have as an actress today. I cared what people thought and I was performing more for other people instead of myself. We’ve grown up. With each film, we’ve become more and more collaborative, and this last one has been three individuals coming together as equal adults collaborating on a film. You’re not that when you’re a teenager; you’ve got to grow into that.

Q: How controversial do you think Sweet Relief will be?

Dunst: It’s about a woman. I don’t think it’s about Iraq. It’s about a woman. What in this 24-year-old girl makes you want to go to Iraq on your own without security and just be there, count bodies, visit orphanages, manipulate soldiers into getting information, all on her own accord. That takes a very brave [person] and it’s kind of a crazy thing to do. I would never put myself in that position. I couldn’t imagine doing that. So I think it’s more about this woman.

Q: Have you made it?

Dunst: No. We haven’t made it yet.

Q: Will it be your next film?

Dunst: No.

Q: Do you know what your next film is?

Dunst: Yep. It’s this movie called "How to Lose Friends and Alienate People.” It’s based on Toby Young’s book. Simon Pegg is the lead.

Q: Do you play the obnoxious Brit?

Dunst: Yes.

Q: Are you a Vanity Fair writer?

Dunst: Yeah, I work there.

Q: Do the two of you have some sort of romance?

Dunst: You’ll just have to wait and see.

Q: When are you doing it?

Dunst: May, June and July.

Q: Have you ever had a similar kind of Mary Jane moment where you have this big opportunity and then it just falls to pieces and you lose it?

Dunst: Of course, I’ve been so bummed when I haven’t gotten a role. That happened when I was younger. Now, I’ve learned it’s probably for the best.

Q: What about critics?

Dunst: I’ve definitely been disappointed. I usually read the New York Times and the LA Times and I’ve been disappointed before, but now I’m in a place in my life where I really don’t care. That’s a good feeling.

Q: Do you have a chance to be friends with Sam, Tobey, James and Bryce when you’re not making movies?

Dunst: James is part of my life because I introduced him to this charity I work with called The Art of Elysium. We put on plays and visit the hospital, and this one particular hospital called All-Saints, and we do auctions. I got him involved with that. And Bryce and I have become really close. Those are the two people I see the most. But when I see Tobey, it’s great. He’s just had a baby, but I love his fiancee.

Q: Any plans for your summer break?

Dunst: I’ll be working in London, but working in London is pretty awesome. I have no complaints.

Q: How are Japanese fans different?

Dunst: The Japanese are very excited about us, but also they’re more demure. I went to Universal Studios because we had to open some attraction there. We went on a Spider-Man ride afterwards and they screamed at me like I was a rock star. I was like calm down, it’s OK. At the premiere, they’re very mellow. Even when you’re in crowds, you feel like you have your in your own space. They’re very respectful of people’s space.

Q: Who brings out that kind of fan in you?

Dunst: Joni Mitchell. But I wouldn’t scream in her face. Diane Keaton, Meryl Streep. Barack Obama, I have a real crush on him. Jon Stewart. There’s lots of people.

Q: What do you like about Barack?

Dunst: He’s such a dashing … I love that he lays it on the table. He already wrote a book, there you go. He’s everything you want a president to be, I think.

Q: Is there some role you want to do that you haven’t had the opportunity to do yet?

Dunst: Yes. I really want to make a Roman Polanski-esque "Repulsion” or "Rosemary’s Baby” type of film. But there’s nobody making those movies. The Others was the closest you got to it. If I had one dream director, it would be Roman Polanski.

Q: What was the hardest or most challenging scene you had to do in this film?

Dunst: Just walking down the stairs in high heels, trying not to fall. And lip-synch.

Q: How did you like being a redhead?

Dunst: It was nice. I liked the color. I like the man who did my hair, Manny. He’s a real connoisseur. I like that Mary Jane doesn’t look perfect, and her hair looks a little too grown out. Manny is very aware of character development. He’s very specific and it’s nice to have people around you that will let you do your thing but are also very involved and very supportive.

Q: Have you ever taken the time to analyze why Spider-Man is so successful?

Dunst: I didn’t need to because I lived it. I’m part of it and I know why: we never rested on our laurels. We are all passionate for this franchise. The producers, the heads of Sony, all of us want to make a great movie. Obviously, it’s about box office for the studio at the end of the day, but we don’t want to produce just to produce. We really care for it. These people are so important to us. Sam was working up to the last second before giving over the film. We’re all very passionate and Sam is such a hard worker.

Q: Why does the public respond so much to this film?

Dunst: Spider-Man is every man. If he can be a hero, you can be a hero. It’s always had very relatable story lines in this fantastical world, yet somehow Sam manages to ground it with the people he’s cast. That’s always attracted really interesting actors to play our villains. It’s an international story. Who can’t relate to falling in love? Getting into fights with your best friend? Or feeling like your work is killing you? Who can’t relate to all these things. So I think that’s why.

Q: After starting out as a child actor and then continuing to do this so well, was there ever a time when the acting became a different thing for you? As a kid, it might seem very easy or natural, but as you grow older, you realize it’s a discipline and requires other kinds of skills.

Dunst: When I was younger I worked with an acting coach, but how else are you going to do "Interview with the Vampire?” You can’t do that on instincts. He helped me make things seem different and seem OK when maybe they were scarier to do. I was up for it. I wanted to do it at that age. I enjoyed it; I had a great time on that film but then I definitely have had transitions in my life where not every child actress becomes an adult actor. I continued and enjoyed it. Virgin Suicides was big for me because it showed me in a light where I was a young girl having all these other emotions, not just being the cute kid. Sofia did that in such a poetic way that that opened many doors for me. Then Bring it On was helpful for me. It’s kept changing and growing. Marie Antoinette was huge for me. Acting has changed for me. My barometer for what I want to do, for what I want to be a part of, and who I want to work with, has changed. You spend a lot of time working very closely with these people on films. I want to work with good people who I can learn from who are nice people. There are so many different personalities in this business. And it’s just not worth it. You can have the best time with the nicest people.

Q: Mary Jane’s career hits a rough spot just as Peter’s Spiderman career is taking off and it causes friction between them. Have you seen that in Hollywood?

Dunst: I’ve always been supportive of whoever I’m with in their job and I’ve never felt threatened. I can understand when the other person doesn’t make you as confident in yourself. It really has to do with how you feel about yourself at the end of the day.

Q: Does your celebrity make it difficult for guys to ask you out on a date?

Dunst: Oh, completely. I’d stay away from somebody (who’s a celebrity). Who wants to be part of that whole thing with pictures being taken. I live a normal life but occasionally there’s stuff that’s not so fun to deal with. Then that person’s not meant for me. I need somebody who can deal with all the aspects of who I am.

Q: Has the self-confidence you’ve gained in making the Spider-Man films helped you assert yourself in other films?

Dunst: This film didn’t give me self-confidence. I gave myself self-confidence. I worked on myself as a human being. Films, money, all those things give you nothing, you’ve got to give it to yourself. I worked on myself.

Q: If you have a problem, do you speak up?

Dunst: Completely. I’m very opinionated. (She laughs.)