During our interview session, we were lucky enough to start off with the gorgeous Rachel Weisz, who plays Evanora in the Disney movie Oz The Great and Powerful.
She was incredibly witty and poised, and very thorough in her responses. I really loved how she explained the character of Evanora, and how fun it was for her to play such an evil character.
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Upon hearing we were Mommy Bloggers………………..
Rachel Weisz: So, we’re gonna change the world together? [LAUGHS] I feel like that.
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Q: So, you were so deliciously evil.
Rachel Weisz: She’s bad, isn’t she?
Q: What did you like slipping into more, the costumes or the character?
Rachel Weisz: You know what? It’s weird. They were kind of like the same the thing. When I put that costume on I became that character. I couldn’t have played her without that corset, and sequins, and feathers, and lashes, and lips, and pushed up boobs [LAUGHS], and, you know, the whole thing, yeah. The costume was a huge, huge part of the character, and it was very fun to be so nasty. [CHUCKLES]
Q: Because you were so nasty, how did you feel about knowing this is a children’s film and yet you’ve gotta be pretty bad?
Rachel Weisz: Well, I think fairy tales traditionally have really, really evil characters. Like all the Grimm’s fairy tales have bad people in them, so I think kids are used to evil characters. And I think she’s dark, but she’s having a lot of fun being bad. So, I think it’s like Disney bad. I don’t think it’s really, really bad.
Q: What was your most memorable moment while filming? What was your favorite part?
Rachel Weisz: Evanora really enjoyed torturing Glinda when she was chained in the Emerald City. It was just really fun. I mean I get along brilliantly. Michelle she’s a fellow mom, and she’s a lovely lady, but that was just a really fun scene…being that bad. And then just pure fun without being evil was flying. Flying is really fun, kinda — a little scary and quite exciting, like having a really good roller-coaster ride.
Q: Speaking of flying, how much flying and stunt work did you actually do?
Rachel Weisz: All of it. I don’t think there was any flying that isn’t me. They didn’t do head replacement or anything. It’s me all the way.
Q: What helped you prepare the most for your role in the film?
Rachel Weisz: Really there was nothing that could help me prepare. Obviously, there’s no witches I could interview or talk to, and it’s just pure fantasy. So, the costume, as I said, was a huge part of finding the character, and it’s just pure make-believe. There was absolutely no research, just make-believe, just like being a kid basically.
Q: I have a lot of readers asking about age appropriateness for the movie. I’m saying around eight or so, but as, as a mom, yourself, what age would you think is appropriate to take your children?
Rachel Weisz: Oh, God. I don’t know. I mean every kid is different, and I think every mom knows their kid. …Some kids are really, really sensitive, but I don’t think it’s too scary for little kids. I’d probably go a bit younger than eight, but then I think it’s up to a mom to decide.
Q : Did you feel nervous at all accepting this role?
Rachel Weisz: I’m nervous at any role that I do because there’s the fear that you might, you know, suck. So I wouldn’t really do a role unless I wasn’t nervous about it, because that’s what’s exciting is trying something new, and I’ve never done anything like this. I’ve never played a fantasy character. You know, of late I’ve been doing very kind of gritty gals with no makeup, and very different kinds of things.
Q: What was your reaction to the film the very first time you read the script?
Rachel Weisz: I loved it. I loved it. I just loved the idea of it. I didn’t know that Frank L. Baum had written ten books, and the Wizard of Oz film is just one-tenth of the whole cycle of stories, and I loved it. We all know the Wizard of Oz so well, and this is the story of how the Wizard came to be the Wizard. So I loved it, and I loved the character of Evanora, and I loved how mercilessly horrible she is [LAUGHS]. And…..it was really fun, really, really fun.
Q: Now, that you’ve played an evil, magical, make-believe character….. did you enjoy it enough that we can hope to see you in similar roles?
Rachel Weisz: I’m not planning on it, but, yeah, I’m open to other bad girls. [LAUGHS]
Q: What was your favorite part of making the movie?
Rachel Weisz: I guess flying in terms of just sheer, silly fun. You know, it was just really fun being hoisted up really high on a wire and zoom — like we’re on a zip line.
Q: What’s your personal relationship with Oz? I mean did you watch it as a kid? Did your kids watch it? You know, personally?
Rachel Weisz: I remember going to the cinema to see it when I was about five, and I vividly remember the seat, you know, in front of me and trying to see over and hiding. I mean witches really terrified me. They seared into my mind as properly terrifying, but I don’t know.
I think it’s to teach children about good and evil and morality, and I think there’s a reason why there’s been for hundreds of years the tradition of children seeing scary things. I don’t think it’s damaging, fairy tales. I think they’re kind of like important, archetypal stories. I remember vividly seeing it………… it’s one of those movies you never forget.
Q: Besides your character initially, which character was your favorite besides Evanora? Which other character did you enjoy watching on the screen or, in the script?
Rachel Weisz: It’s really hard for me to pick. I just think it’s like a whole big family of characters. I thought Theodora was just delicious, and the Wizard is great. I guess the most surprising for me was China Girl and the Monkey, because I never got to work with them……..they’re really delightful characters.
Q: What do you feel your responsibilities are as a role model for young girls?
Rachel Weisz: Do I think of myself as role model? I don’t know. I just try and do what I think is right, and responsible, and I try and be true to myself.
Q: How was working with the rest of the cast?
Rachel Weisz: Really great. I mean I did most of my scenes with Mila, my sister, and a few scenes with James, and then a few scenes with Michelle– and then, of course, with my monkeys, my army of monkeys. That was really fun, the army of monkeys. So, I really got scream orders at them. It was really fun with all of them.
Q: Did the costumes, and sets help you fall into that world when you were in those amazing places?
Rachel Weisz:: Definitely. I was not really on that many sets. I was in the throne room…my character really loves the throne a lot, ’cause she she wants that throne by herself. She wants to sit in it. It was this big regal room, so it made me feel like I was a, queen of this throne room. I wasn’t on all the sets with all the incredible flowers and stuff like that. I — my — basically my character was just interested in the throne. So [LAUGHS], that’s what I remember. Yeah, she wanted the throne.
Marshall: Perfect. Well, thank you so much.
Rachel Weisz: Thank you.
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Disclosure: I was provided with an all expense paid trip by Disney in order to bring you this information. All opinions and experiences expressed are my own. This is accordance with Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of. Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
I love this actress. She seems so settled and to a point very private about her life. I admire that about her and have enjoyed all the movies she have done.