ROSA SALAZAR
What can you tell us about Alita, in Alita: Battle Angel?
Alita is a cyborg girl with a human brain who is found in a scrapyard and brought back to life. Everything is new to her and she goes on this journey of self-discovery and finds out she is someone extraordinary. I identify with her origin story. She’s this girl who comes from the dregs of society. She feels insignificant.
How was your first audition for this movie?
It was with [director] Robert Rodriguez and the casting director. I made Robert cry. He gave me this really emotional scene to do and I wanted to make sure I wasn’t playing her like a robot. She’s a human being with cybernetic parts. I went in and kept it as grounded as I could and seemed to touch him. The other thing I remember is the waiting room full of every single actress of every single ethnicity and age. They were really doing their due diligence.
What’s been the maddest moment of your career so far?
Shooting this. I’m wearing a state-of-theart motion capture suit. I’m wearing a helmet with a titanium boom and have two cameras directed at my face. I’ve got 37 dots on my face. I’m a walking piece of technology. That’s crazy.
Who’s your dream director?
I’d love to work with James Cameron as a director [Cameron is producer on this film]. I’m kind of Arthouse Lady, so Yorgos Lanthimos is someone I’d love to work with. Damien Chazelle. Jordan Peele. I really want to do something weird.
Who is your acting idol?
I love Lili Taylor. She is all about the craft. Whether it’s on film or stage, she has this quality that is jaw-dropping. Julianne Moore has this range that is unbelievable. She can do anything.
What’s next for you?
A show called Undone for Amazon, about a woman named Alma who is fed up with life. She gets into a car accident and wakes up in hospital. She starts to experience these schizophrenic-like episodes. Is she crazy or is she actually seeing these things?
Who would win in a fight — a horse sized duck, or 100 duck-sized horses?
I’m going to back the duck-sized horses. They’ve got power, agility and the numbers. Ducks aren’t built for fighting, whatever size they are. That duck’s just going to be looking for bread.