Witherspoon, Kaling revel in playing space oddities

MOVIES

LOS ANGELES — Reese Witherspoon and Mindy Kaling complement Oprah Winfrey as a trio of mystical, magical sprites in Disney’s “A Wrinkle in Time.” Filmed in New Zealand and based on Madeleine L’Engle’s beloved children’s book, “Wrinkle” follows a young girl’s intergalactic quest to find her long-lost father (Chris Pine), guided by the trio.

Oprah Winfrey is Mrs. Which; Witherspoon Mrs. Whatsit; and Kaling Mrs. Who.

Witherspoon, 41, shines as comic relief, the sometimes ditzy, always outspoken Mrs. Whatsit.

Initially, none of that mattered. It was her agent’s call, revealing that Ava DuVernay, the “Selma” and “13th” director, wanted to meet with the Oscar and Emmy winner.

“It was very flattering to be chosen to be part of Ava’s movies because she doesn’t just make a movie, she makes an experience for everyone.

“She cares about what happens in front of the camera — and she cares about what happens behind the camera. And everybody feels like they are important. Special. Honored. Valued for their contributions.

“This was a master class in how to be a very thoughtful filmmaker and a real visionary. It was a privilege and an honor to be this amazing celestial person who hangs out with Oprah and Mindy all day.”

Cambridge native Kaling, 38, echoed that view: “It’s absolutely incredible. I mean, I’m a sitcom actress and Ava saw something in me.

“To wake up every morning and spend four hours in the makeup trailer with these two was great.

“I loved science fiction and fantasy growing up, but it was a genre that largely did not love me back. I never saw any representation of, like, a dark-skinned Indian woman, Indian girl, anybody, in anything that I saw.

“I broke out in TV, which is so welcoming to me. Comedy is so welcoming to me. But to be part of this, on a green-screen stage in harnesses because you’re doing a science fiction fantasy movie, it’s so fun! Because I finally feel welcomed with open arms to something that has ignored me completely.

“That is so profound. If that can be something that the miniature version of me could watch and be excited by — that’s such a huge thing.”

WITH OPEN ARMS: Reese Witherspoon, who plays the occasionally ditzy Mrs. Whatsit, was excited to work with ‘A Wrinkle in Time’ director Ava DuVernay.

WHO’S THERE: Mindy Kaling plays the mystical Mrs. Who in ‘A Wrinkle in Time.’ Kaling was a fan of science fiction and fantasy while growing up.