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Wide ScreenShailene Woodley talks to Yahoo! Canada Movies about ‘The Descendants’ and ‘The Hunger Games’
Hot off of her breakout role in Alexander Payne's "The Descendants" and an awards season that included a Golden Globe nomination and an Independent Spirit Award win, actress Shailene Woodley (best known to many as Amy Juergens on "The Secret Life of the American Teenager") is having a pretty good year. The 20-year-old talked to Yahoo! Canada about the acclaimed film, what it was like working with George Clooney, making the shift from television to movies, and what this almost-Katniss thought of "The Hunger Games."
Based on the novel of the same name by Kaui Hart Hemmings, "The Descendants" tells the story of Matt King (George Clooney), a wealthy Hawaiian landowner and father whose work dominates his life. When his wife is seriously injured in a boating accident and left in a coma, King is forced to connect with his two daughters -- Alexandra (Woodley) and Scottie (Amara Miller) -- and become a father for, really, the first time in his life.
Unlike many young actresses who are usually plucked from seeming obscurity for their first big break, Woodley revealed that she actively pursued the project. The "Secret Life" star found out about "The Descendants" before any major star was attached and went after it with what she called an "insane passion" of sorts.
"I read the script before George Clooney or Alexander Payne were attached and was just blown away by how human, raw, and real it was," said Woodley. She says that all told, she pursued the project for about six or seven months before finally landing the role of Clooney's daughter, the troubled teenager Alexandra King.
Woodley may have been passionate about the project, but confessed that she was not very familiar with Oscar-winning director Alexander Payne's work before she signed on.
"I had seen 'Sideways' when I was fourteen and I thought it was a boring adult movie," she admitted with a laugh. "Then when I became involved with 'The Descendants,' I re-watched it and saw the genius behind it."
Woodley revealed that while she may make her living in the entertainment industry, she doesn't watch many movies on her own time. "I don't have a very huge film repertoire," she said.
Woodley had high praise for her director, but what of co-star George Clooney? He couldn't possibly be as wonderful as people say he is, could he? "No, he is! He's a superhuman. He's so down to earth and optimistic," laughed Woodley. "I wish that people would believe me when I say that, because he really is!"
The super-famous Clooney knows a thing or two about red carpet life. When asked about the whirlwind circus that is awards season in Hollywood, Woodley had this to say about the cult of celebrity, "I think it's bizarre. It's really ridiculous how much attention actors get and how much money they make. It's also ridiculous how much pressure is put on people in order to fit into the mould that has been created."
Woodley took a lot of heat from red carpet watchers when she wore some rather interesting shoes to a Golden Globes after party. The young actress seemed frustrated by the whole system, as it currently exists. "If you don't wear a dress to a certain event or look a certain way, there's this unfortunate element of ridicule that comes out of the woodwork."
Beyond the red carpet stupidity, Woodley believes that rewarding stellar performances and great films is worthwhile, but her only issue is with how blown out of proportion everything is. "I think that's awesome that people are recognized, but the amount of praise and just how many awards they give out is way over the top."
With all this sudden success, you would think that Hollywood would now be Woodley's oyster. However, when asked about what's next for her, the young actress made it sound as though she just wants to take her time and choose the right project. "Unless something feels right, I'm not going to jump on a bandwagon just for the sake of it."
Woodley will have lots of time to ruminate on future projects, having just returned to film her hit TV series "The Secret Life of the American Teenager." The actress enjoys TV, but admits that she prefers the more laid back atmosphere offered by a movie set.
"Television shows have to turn around episodes super quickly, and there are just more restrictions and less room to play," said Woodley. "On a show you only have so many takes, but on a film you can have fifty if you want them."
The actress may not know what she wants to do next, but her recent successes leave the door open to many opportunities. As for what could have been, Woodley was once in the running for the role of Katniss Everdeen in the box-office smash "The Hunger Games" —- a part that eventually went to "X-Men: First Class" actress Jennifer Lawrence. Not one to bear a grudge, Woodley hit the red carpet for the Los Angeles premiere of "Hunger Games" and had some extremely kind words to say about the film and its cast.
"I think the movie is amazing. Jennifer [Lawrence] is just incredible. She's a great actress and does a great job as Katniss. Adding that she was also a fan of actor Josh Hutcherson's performance in the film, "He's so freaking good! I thought that he was the perfect choice for Peeta."
"The Descendants" is currently on DVD and Blu-ray and "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" returns March 26 on ABC Family.
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