KAREN GILLAN: It was the latter, actually.
What are the gonna do with my preciousJumanji?!
And then, I read the script and realized that it was brilliant.
It was in safe hands.
Then, I needed to somehow get this role.
GILLAN: Oh, absolutely, yeah!
Image via Sony Pictures
GILLAN: Its fairly close.
There werent any huge, major shifts.
Theres a ton of improvised dialogue in the film.
Image via Sony Pictures
But overall, the general shape was the same.
So, its slightly intimidating, but also easier.
What most surprised you about working with Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart and Nick Jonas?
Image via Sony Pictures
GILLAN: It was just the most fun, ever!
Thats not surprising, though.
Thats not a shocker.
Image via Sony Pictures
It was just constant laughter, which I thought was really fun.
Theyre businessmen, as well as being great actors, and I thought that was extremely impressive.
It seems hard to not feel like a slacker when youre around Dwayne Johnson.
Image via Sony Pictures
GILLAN: I know!
I feel like Ive started working harder, since Ive worked with him.
[His work ethic] is second to none.
Image via Sony Pictures
So, just how intense is The Rocks smolder, in real life?
GILLAN: Oh, its intense!
I feel like you should see him do it in real life sometime.
Its this involuntary smolder.
GILLAN: I was excited to do all of the fight sequences, just because its a challenge.
Im an actress, so delivering dialogue is my territory.
I know how to do that.
But to fight loads of men and take them all out is not something I do every day.
Im really pleased with the finished product.
I had a lot of help from my stunt double, as well.
Jumping off of a waterfall is not something I need to do.
I did it once or twice.
The rest were failures, but we finally got it.
When the initial set photo came out, the outfit you had on became this big controversy.
Were you prepared for that reaction, or did that take you by surprise?
When you look at that picture out of context, its ridiculous.
But, thats exactly what we intended with the costume.
In a way, it was exactly what we intended.
GILLAN: I would have had a hard time with that.
I dont know if I would have agreed to wear that version of it.
There would have been some negotiations with the director.
How did you find the experience of working and collaborating with Jake Kasdan?
What most impressed you about how he pulled everything together?
For me, those are two different areas, but he can do both.
I thought that was amazing.
Just in terms of being an actors director, hes one of the best that Ive encountered.
He makes you feel really safe, so it’s possible for you to take risks and improvise.
He just really empowers his actors and listens to us, and then guides us.
I just think hes one of the best directors out there.
Would you say thats a fair description of how things are going with those movies?
GILLAN: I dont know how chaotic it is.
Its just an extremely long shoot with so many characters.
Logistically, it must be a challenge for them to schedule it.
I guess thats where the chaos comes from.
But, its so much fun.
In terms of atmosphere on set, its one of the best Ive ever experienced.
Everybody is just having a really good time, at least of what Ive seen.
Theyve set a really nice tone for the environment, so Im having a good time.
GILLAN: I think Im most impressed with the producers who organized the whole thing.
Im most impressed by the people that are organizing the thing.
Youve said that calling Action!
for the first time, as a director, was a very exciting moment for you.
I loved it so much.
Id love to see those films now, by the way.
That would be funny.
I didnt think I couldnt do it.
I just didnt think of it, if that makes sense.
I feel like I could maybe do this a little bit better than this person.
I have thoughts and opinions on this.
I was like, I think I really want to make something of my own.
And so, my friends encouraged me to make my first short film, so we made that together.
Now, youve also done a full-length feature, withThe Partys Just Beginning, which you wrote and directed.
How did you find the experience of directing something that you were also acting in?
GILLAN: Oh, that I will never do again!
That was a nightmare, but a nightmare in the best way.
I think next time I wont do that to myself.
How do you find the experience of post-production on one of your own projects?
Is that very challenging, or is it easy to do when you know what you want?
GILLAN: Ive never experienced post-production, making something that someone else has written.
However, Im open to new ideas and new ways to look at things.
Maybe its a little weird to edit yourself.
I was watching myself so much that I was calling myself her.
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungleopens in theaters on December 20th.
