CraveOnline: Since your character has to convince Klaatu that humanity is worth preserving, how much pressure did you feel in your work?
Jennifer Connelly: Well yes, it felt like a huge responsibility but I was happy. I think it was really clever what [director] Scott [Derrickson] did. It’s not just Helen. It’s not just on my shoulders in reality. I think that the relationship between Helen and Jacob is employed in a different way than it is in the original film. It really functions as a little microcosm of human nature and how we are treating each other. They're sort of in conflict and there's a bit of a crisis and then there's a sort of reconciliation. They each take responsibility and there’s a move towards resolution and Klaatu observes this so there is that dynamic. There’s also the Barnhardt scene and other encounters that he has that helped shape it so that was a little bit of a relief, that it wasn't just me. I wanted people to be able to identify with her and I thought it was important that she herself be aware of the task and the enormity of that task and that position. So I liked that she has a moment with Barnhardt where she says, "What do I do? Tell me what to do?" She’s aware what the stakes are and what she’s found herself in. I liked about Patricia Neal’s character in the original that she is open-minded and she's very strong, free thinking individual. I thought that was important to carry over, that bravery and thought as qualities, to be human without prejudice, without bias was really essential, that she be able to communicate, and that you feel the depths of her love. I thought those were all really important things.
CraveOnline: As a mother yourself, what was it like working with Jaden Smith?
Jennifer Connelly: Working with Jaden was fantastic. It’s really clear that he has a lot to offer. He did a great job. As I mentioned, it’s a complex relationship and I think that's a lot of nuance to ask of someone his age and I think he did it beautifully. He even seemed to have a good time doing it which was really a relief.
CraveOnline: What convinced you that the original classic would still apply today?
Jennifer Connelly: It had a great impact on me when I read the script. I thought that it was really powerful. I loved that it was a movie that was looking at how we treat each other, how we live on the earth, whether we do that responsibly. We have a tendency to be self-destructive. It just really struck me. I thought it was poignant and moving. It was a great combination of that in a film that was exciting, dramatic, thrilling, and suspenseful.
Jennifer Connelly: I’m really critical of films and myself. I was really happy working on the movie. We worked really hard. It was long hours. I felt really good about doing it and to me that means a lot. I haven’t seen the whole thing but I’ve seen a bunch of things now. Even my husband said, "How does it look?" I said, "It looks really good." Even he was like, "My God, she never says that."
Jennifer Connelly: No, neither of us has seen the whole thing. I feel comfortable and confident. I look forward to seeing the whole thing. I felt when we were making the film that Scott was doing a phenomenal job. I couldn’t imagine anyone doing better. I think that he made the best version of the film that could have been made. I think he’s smart. I think he understands the original film. I think he loved the original film. He loves filmmaking. He knows so much about film history, current film, and everything. He wanted it to be real. He wanted it to be dramatic. I just think he had all bases covered.
CraveOnline: Do you have to invest as much into the acting process when you do an "entertainment" movie as opposed to what people call the "serious" movies?
