The horror of a trailer is fun for Richards
Denise Richards is making a gleeful return to horror as a mother on a road trip to hell in a haunted trailer with “The ToyBox” (in theaters now in Los Angeles, streaming and on Blu-ray Tuesday).
Offscreen life is heavenly for the 47year-old former Bond girl, who married Aaron Phypers on Sept. 8, as she readies to join the ninth season of Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.”
Richards spoke to USA TODAY about onscreen terrors and wedding bliss.
Question: This isn’t your first horror film; you died a hot-tub death in 2001’s “Valentine.” Any fake-dying tips?
Denise Richards: Yes, I’ve had great death scenes, including being tossed into a hot tub in “Valentine.” I’ve gotten good at acting dead, so I’ve been told. My secret is to slightly roll your eyes up, just a tiny bit back, and focus on one point. Don’t look straight ahead, go up a little. I’m glad I can play dead well.
My oldest daughter (Sam, 14) is getting into horror movies. So when I got the “ToyBox” script, I ran it past her. She’s so excited her mom is in a horror film. I should show her “Valentine,” too, one of these days.
Q: But surely you’ve never shot an entire movie in a trailer, much less a haunted one?
Richards: It’s probably the smallest set I have ever worked on. Obviously, I’ve shot scenes in bathrooms or whatever. But to have the entire set be a real RV, it was such a tight space.
But in horror movies, the actors are laughing between takes because we’re doing stuff that is so crazy, with a lot of fake blood. That’s how I explain it to my daughters. It’s just a lot of fun.
Q: Your screen daughter has a mishap after you let her jump rope behind a haunted trailer.
Richards (laughing): It’s not the brightest move. This mom is severely distracted, apparently. It’s a terrible parenting moment.
But playing it was challenging. Obviously, I have kids. You don’t want to imagine ever having anything bad happen to a child.
Q: You surprised the world with your romantic wedding in Malibu. Why was it so sudden?
Richards: We decided we didn’t want to wait. (Phypers) asked me to marry him last year. ... It was like, ‘Let’s just do it.’ ”
Q: Your minidress rocked and caused a stir online. Please explain how it fit your personality?
Richards: It’s a sexy dress, and it’s fun. I thought it was appropriate because we got married in Malibu overlooking the ocean. I’m a beachy girl. I like that it was short and it wasn’t a gown. I didn’t want a big traditional wedding dress. It’s my second wedding, and I have kids. I did the traditional dress at my first wedding.
Q: Your ex-husband Charlie Sheen supported the nuptials.
Richards: We’re very supportive of each other. He really likes Aaron. So it means a lot to me that he’s happy for us.