• Katie Holmes •

Jessica Biel Interview

INTERVIEW WITH KATIE HOLMES (‘Samantha’):

Does this part give you sympathy for First Daughters?
Definitely. When I was growing up I always fantasized about, “Oh God, what would it be like to have your dad be the President and he’s so powerful and you get to live in that big house and wear all these big dresses?” I used to always think, you know you read something bad and it’s like, “Why are they acting up? They’re Presidential children,” very judgmental. It was sort of insightful to go through again all of the different clippings from their lives and all of the nasty things written and some good things. You sort of start to appreciate the level of their fame and how much pressure they really are under, and how their lives for a certain amount of time are not their own. They do have to uphold a certain image and how that can be very hard for their souls.

Do you relate to that yourself having gone through “Dawson’s Creek’s” height of fame?
We had such a wonderful set of circumstances in Wilmington. Yes, the four of us became famous literally overnight, but we were in a small town and we always knew when people were coming down. We always knew when to behave. The rest of the time we had a lot of fun and, really, for six years we had a little bubble where we went to work everyday. We weren’t being photographed or anything like that. We could get into fights…act up…and show up in a local coffee shop in nothing but our pjs.

How much input did you have in your role and how the character developed?
I had…you know Forest [Whitaker] and I were in talks for about two months before we started shooting, and I had been looking at different versions of this script close to a year before it came time to start shooting. I did have some input, but I’m not a writer so I kind of just went with it.

Did you see “Chasing Liberty?”
I did not see “Chasing Liberty.” I was aware it was being made and I never read the script either. Maybe I should of, but I felt like I made the decision to make this movie and I really like Forest Whitaker. I just think he’s a very talented director, so I just concentrated on making the best movie we could make with this and I know they did as well. So I didn’t really bother to get caught up in any competition that was sort of created around us.

Did you have input into the color of the costumes?
Yes, I wanted the costumes to be very, very conservative. My first fitting, it was a lot of clothing that looked a lot like what I wore for six years on “Dawson’s Creek.” Jeans and shirts and I thought, “Hmm I don’t think so.” All the pictures that I’ve seen…and even more so I wanted this character to be relatable, but just a bit more classic and her appearance to be a bit not like anybody else. She does dress much older. To me it was important because it was more the royal sense.

What was your favorite gown?
My favorite one was the pink one and I actually got to keep it. Forest decided on that color purple. He had this love affair with purple. Last year I saw him and he had this Us Weekly with him and all these – I forget, I think it was the SAG Awards - and all these famous actresses were in that same color purple. He’s like, “See I was right. I’m ahead of the times.”

How many times did you go down the slide?
Probably 20 [but] it felt like 100. It was fun at first. It was cold, but they had this nice baby pool of hot water that we got to sit in when we were finished, which is great, but then you get out of it and your freezing and you’ve got to go down again.

On "Batman Begins"

What can you say about your character in “Batman Begins?”
I play Rachel Doss. I work in the DA’s office and I’m Bruce Wayne’s good friend growing up - and that’s all I can say.

Are you doing any stunt work for it or is more of a talkie role?
It’s more of a talkie role. I’m not into stunts. I’m not one of those girls. I like it real easy.

Did Michael Keaton give you any advice on being in a “Batman” movie?
Unfortunately I didn’t even know I was going to be in a “Batman” movie when I worked with Michael. He had shared some of his stories from his experience, but we had no idea that maybe I was going to do the next one.

How many “Batmans” are you signed on for?
It’s sort of more complicated than that question.
They can have me if they want me for two more.

Is this another transition?
I found it to be more challenging to be in a huge effects movie because a lot of the things aren’t there so you have to trust the director and react to noting. With this particular project, the cast was very intimidating and Chris Nolan is amazing, but I was just thrilled to be with these people. You know, I was like I have to do this so right and perfect. I think if I get to be in another maybe I’ll relax a bit.

Was Christian Bale able to help you because he’s done that kind of effects work?
I didn’t tell Christian I was having a problem. It was fine.

Do you see doing something like that as a transition to more adult roles? I hope that as I get older and mature that I will be able to play more adult-like roles and hopefully it will happen naturally. And doing “Batman” I think will be helpful because it’s a movie that brings a lot of exposure. I was so excited to be a part of something with such history. The experience was awesome. Everyday I was on set I was e-mailing my friends, “I just rode in the Batmobile, what are you doing?” It was so cool. I saw the mobile take off and go down the street and I was like, “Okay, I get it. I get why guys love cars. I am in love right now and all I want is that car.”

Have you been reading the comics?
Yes.

Is your character in the comics?
No.

Speaking of more adult-type roles, do you think one day you’ll be Kate Holmes instead of Katie Holmes?
No.

Was now the right time to do "First Daughter," a romantic comedy?
It came at a time [when] I just finished “Dawson’s Creek.” It was a movie I felt like sort of catered to the audience of “Dawson’s Creek.” I thought, “Well, that could be a good idea.” I also just loved Forest. I don’t know. I liked the idea of a fairy tale movie. I’m kind of a sucker for that. I love doing darker things and edgier things, but sometimes it’s kind of nice to go to the movies and just sort of be happy and escape.

Would you get back into TV if the right thing came along?
I definitely would. Not right away just because I’m still sort of getting over the grind and the time it really takes and what it takes out of you to do a television show. I had the greatest time doing it, but I got out of it thinking what do I like to do? I don’t remember. I haven’t done any hobbies for six years.