Chloe Moretz will tell you lots of ways she's not anything like Hit Girl-- she's not even allowed to see R-rated movies much less quote John Woo movies verbatim, she can't do many of the tricks you see her do in the movie (the magic of stunt doubles), and that leather costume isn't nearly as comfortable to run around in as it looks. But in person the Kick-Ass star is a whole lot like the confident and smart characters she's played, quick to make jokes with a room full of adult journalists and clearly comfortable being, at 13, one of the most exciting young talents in the movie right now.
We talked to Moretz last week about her experience working on the movie, her awe at Nicolas Cage's totally out-there performance, and a little about her upcoming role in the vampire film Let Me In. Check out what she had to say below, and catch her vanquishing dozens of bad guys in Kick-Ass this weekend.
Was there trepidation in taking this part?
It's a character, and it was an amazing role that was breathtaking. It's something no one else has done.
Is it true your parents won't let you see these types of movies?
I'm not allowed to see R-rated movies, but I did see Kick-Ass because I'm in it. I'm not going to skip out on my own premiere!
What do your parents think of the movie?
My mom found the script and she knew it was amazing and unique, and it was something that no one else has ever done. That's really why we chose it, because it was so different.
What drew you to Hit Girl, and what drew you to your character in [Let The Right One In remake] Let Me In? They're very different roles.
They are different roles, but in some ways they are alike. They're both two kids who know no better. With Abby in Let Me In, no matter how old she is [the character is a vampire], she's still a kid. Her brain didn't develop that much. She's still a little girl. She hasn't experienced the world as an adult may see it.
Do you think Big Daddy is crazy because of how he's raising Hit Girl?
No, I think he's so sad, and he was so in love with his wife, and so heartbroken that she did that. He just wants to get back at the person who he thinks made her do that.
What surprised you about Nicolas Cage's take on the role?
He brought something you never seen in an actor. An actor always goes to the safe side. He took it in a way that no other actor would venture into. I would be too scared to do it, but he did it and really succeeded at it.
How fun was it to wear the Hit Girl costume?
It was fun to look at, but wearing it was really hard. Think about doing a bunch of stunts in leather. What does leather do? It doesn't stretch, it rips.
Do you have the costume at home?
I do. You know the kilt I wear in it? That's Matthew's family tartan.
What do you think about 11 or 12 year old girls wanting to see this? Do you think of yourself as a role model for them?
It's a role model in that it's woman empowerment. Girls are always the damsel in distress in the corner. The man gets weak and then the man fails and becomes the girl. Oh, you throw a punch like a girl. You see Hit Girl, she's punching like a girl should. That's how girls should be seen.
Everyone's saying this character will encourage violence form young children. Do you think that will happen?
Younger children shouldn't see the movie. It's R-rated for a reason. I don't think anyone young or old should go out there and say what I say in the movie, or do what I do in the movie. It's a movie for a reason, and it's not meant to be taken as real life. I definitely wouldn't advise anyone to do that. What happens to Kick-Ass in the film, where he gets stabbed and run over, that will happen to you.
Are you getting offered lots of different roles now? How are you dealing with that fame?
No matter how big you are in the business, at the end of the day it's still work. Even if it's Natalie Portman against Keira Knightley up for the same role, they still have to read for a director. No matter how many times you've been doing it, it never fails to kick you back into, you're still an actor. Actors have no power.
