Jamie Lee Curtis Talks With Authority
An extensive black carpet was rolled out inside Sydney’s iconic George Street Event Cinemas on a frightful Tuesday evening for the Halloween Australian premiere. In attendance was guest of honour and series original final girl, Jamie Lee Curtis. As producer and lead in this long time slasher series, the atmosphere was in full swing with Michael Myers walking around a replica front balcony of the Strode residence. Then Hollywood royalty arrived smiling, strident, looking fabulous as one would expect.
We have matching glasses!
JLC – Aha yes we do (laughs).
You’re about to have a 60th birthday, congratulations also on 20 years sober! And you’re a producer, plus lead in an already #1 box office film. How do you feel?
JLC – It’s fucking great! Just great, I am pretty happy.
Does your scream mature with age, is your scream as easy to conjer as well as you did in the 1978 original?
JLC – You know, Laurie (Strode) doesn’t scream so much, she’s a warrior now. This is a different interpretation, a woman in the zone taking charge for family. It’s very hard to remember 40 plus years ago on the original, it was a fast experience, You know I still get excited by my work.
Wonderful Judy Greer could easily pass as your real daughter, including solid chemistry.
JLC – I’m happy you said that. While Andi Matichak, who looks like my granddaughter, looks exactly like my mother’s twin sister. I had no decision in the casting but it was a triumphant decision.
Advice you may give an inspiring actress to the industry going for a lead role?
JLC – It takes time for an industry to change as we are finding out. However this industry is now getting together fast but we still have a long way to go. Our movie, I hope, is only one example for change to frequent female leads. You’re only as good as the part you get, writing is an important component.
Was there ever a time where you forgot about Laurie Strode or has she remained on your mind to revisit?
JLC – Oh I have a lot of thoughts where Laurie Strode is not on my mind (laughs). I am a card carrying adult woman in a country that’s going through turmoil so my thoughts are not to Laurie most of the time. Bringing her back to play was a collaboration of many talents, especially the vision of director David Gordon Green whom my godson Jake Gyllenhaal personally recommended.
Halloween holiday isn’t as huge in Australia. What can audiences expect, do they need to be educated on the original film or Michael Myers legacy?
JLC – One doesn’t need to know anything about anything, however take someone you can squeeze really hard because it’s so scary.
Shane A. Bassett
