Headey brushes up on sword skills
LOS ANGELES — Relaxing in a Beverly Hills hotel suite, Lena Headey flashes a coy smile when she’s asked about reprising her Queen Gorgo role in the 300 sequel.
“When I first heard about it I wondered what they were going to do because everybody is dead,” says Headey.
She’s kidding, of course. In fact, the 40-year-old was thrilled that her Queen is a more active participant in 300: Rise of an Empire.
The Game of Thrones star needed to do two things: train to swing a sword before filming began and juggle a busy schedule. Here are four more things you should know about Headey. 1. She can be in two acting places at once.
Somehow, the actress managed to fit in Game of Thrones scenes in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and 300 sequel sequences in Sofia, Bulgaria, into the summer of 2012. 2. She has a lust for thrusting.
Although her combat scenes changed from fighting hordes to slashing her way through a smaller crowd, Headey focused on the choreographic task for weeks. It meant cardio and weight training, as well. But she got into it.
“I was in like F lint,” Headey says. 3. She appreciates the valiant Queen Gorgo in the 300 sequel but adores her Game of Thrones royal manipulator Cersei Lannister.
“I am still single, and I am wondering if Cersei has something to do with that,” says the divorced Headey. “Still, it’s good fun to play a baddie.” 4. Despite her posh presence on this day, she confesses to being a tomboy out of the public eye.
“I keep thinking, maybe when I grow up I will become this sophisticated lady — but it’s not happening so far,” Headey says.