Introducing Mantis from Guardians Vol. 2
For French actress Pom Klementieff, getting the part of Mantis in Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 was the beginning of an exciting experience. “When I had the audition, I had no idea how big the character would be and that it would be a really fun and moving and special character. She makes me think of a kid who had a difficult and lonely upbringing and then meets people who open a new world to her. It’s a beautiful arc for the character,” she said when asked what she loved about the script and character.
Let’s talk about your character’s back story.
Mantis is an alien; she has some insect elements in her, like a praying mantis. She grew up pretty much on her own and hasn’t had much interaction with people.
Who among the Guardians does she relate to?
Mantis develops a friendship with Drax. I think they get along because they both have a weird sense of things, and they don’t really have the same sense of humour that everyone else has. I think what is interesting is that they’re just friends. There is nothing romantic about it. They just get along. Yes, it’s possible for a man and a woman to be just friends!
What is it like working with Dave Bautista?
Dave’s really nice. He’s a gentleman. He’s a big guy, but he doesn’t need to show it, which is usually the case. He’s really a pleasure to work with.
What does Mantis see in Drax?
In the first scene that I shot, when they talk and when she touches him, she sees what he went through in his life and the people that he lost. She feels all that, and she is really moved by it. It just changes her perception of the world when she understands how someone can love someone else.
What are Mantis’ powers?
She is an empath and can change emotions.
What was it like working with Kurt Russell?
Kurt’s amazing and really funny. He’s generous, downto-earth, and really easy to work with. We had a great time. It’s amazing to work with a legend. We hung out when we were not working, and he taught me how to play Pétanque, which is a French game. It’s funny because I’m French and I never learned to play it. He taught me how to throw the balls. It was pretty cool. It’s inspiring to work with people like that who are amazing actors and who are also good people. I love that.
How were you ingratiated into the cast?
I was a little bit stressed out when I had the table read the first day because I was the new one. But they made me feel comfortable and at ease. Chris Pratt is just the nicest guy on earth and everyone else is really cool too. I’m good friends with Karen Gillan now. It was really family-like. James Gunn has a big heart, and I think he chose talented people who are good people and who are easy to work with.
What is it like working with James Gunn?
It’s amazing. You just trust him. When I saw the first movie, I loved it so much. I thought it was so funny and so moving. He has such a strong vision. He wrote very compelling and complex female characters and it was such a gift to interpret one of them. The atmosphere on set is just really, really calm and you just do your work, and you feel confident. He pushes you just the right amount. He knows what he wants from you as an actor.
I love characters with super powers. I wanted to do that one day in my life—have super powers or to be an alien with super powers. And it’s happening, so it’s pretty awesome.” Pom Klementieff
Were you a Marvel fan?
I watched all the Marvel movies and am a fan, but I never read the comic books. I love characters with super powers. I wanted to do that one day have super powers or to be an alien with super powers. And it’s happening, so it’s pretty awesome. (Text supplied)