Lana Condor is lighting up the X-universe.

“I really am such a normal person. Right now, I’m sitting on my couch with my pillow!” laughs Lana Condor. For once such claims aren’t a ruse – the unknown 19-year-old landed the role of fan favourite mutant Jubilee in X-Men: Apocalypse after just her third audition. “I’m hoping to see if this acting and whatnot pans out. I’m working really hard...”

Were you an X-fan before you got the part? To be honest, I was a huge Avengers fan! I saw Days Of Future Past at the midnight premiere, but I hadn’t seen the other films. Obviously as soon as I got it I watched all of them religiously. And the cartoon. And read all the comics. I got pretty obsessed. How was it working with Jennifer Lawrence? It was ridiculously amazing. Once I got the role, my first thought after, “Oh my goodness, I’m going to be in X-Men,” was “Oh my goodness, I’m going to be in a film with Jennifer Lawrence!” What was it like having superpowers? They would attach a wire that had LED lights at the end to the palm of my hands, but every time I used them they shocked me! I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to come off like high-maintenance. In fact, it helped me because I assumed every time I used my power it would hurt. Do you have a dream role? I have the weirdest obsession with paintball, so I’d love to do something like a girl soldier. I’m also terrified by anything paranormal, so it might be fun to do a paranormal horror, because it wouldn’t take much to be truthful! JF

ETA | 18 May X-Men: Apocalypse opens next month.

‘Every time I used my superpowers I got shocked’