Recently I had the amazing experience to attend the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 Press Junket in Los Angeles, which included the World Premiere of the movie, as well as interviews with Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, and the rest of the cast. Take a peek at what Karen Gillian, Pom Klementieff & Elizabeth Debicki said about their experience on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 in my exclusive interview with all three of them.
Girl Power. That’s what I have for you today. And I don’t even really like that term but there is no better way to describe these 3 very talented and beautiful women I interviewed for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2. These powerful women commanded their performances in the movie. So, Girl Power it is.
Exclusive Interview with Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, & Elizabeth Debicki
We have all met Karen Gillan in Vol 1 of Guardians of the Galaxy. She plays the evil sister of Gamora, Nebula. And in Vol 2, we are introduced to two new characters, Mantis, played by Pom Klementieff & Ayesha, played by Elizabeth Debicki. All three are pivotal roles in the movie and they do a fantastic job of portraying their unique characters.
And as you will see, all wear elaborate makeup in the movie, so when these three gorgeous women walked into our room, we almost didn’t recognize them!
Karen Gillan & Elizabeth Debicki | Photo Credit: Louise Bishop/MomStart.com
About that Makeup…..
I started right away asking about their elaborate makeup & costumes for the movie.
You ladies all have very elaborate makeup in the movie, tell us about that process, or something that surprised you that we wouldn’t know about putting your makeup on each day.
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2..Nebula (Karen Gillan)..Ph: Chuck Zlotnick..©Marvel Studios 2017
Karen Gillian: Well mine takes about four hours in the morning, and essentially I have the character’s skin glued to my face, which is really as close as I could possibly get to her, which is pretty cool. It’s kind of intense and slightly claustrophobic. It’s definitely become like part of my ritual, in terms of getting into character. One time I did a rehearsal without the makeup and I did not feel like her at all, so it’s sort of become like a vital part of the process for me which is kind of cool.
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2..Mantis (Pom Klementieff)..Ph: Film Frame..©Marvel Studios 2017
Pom Klementieff: For me it’s much easier because it’s my skin tones. I needed two hours to get completely ready, hair, makeup, and clothes. And I wear a prosthetics on my forehead that is just the beginning of the antennas, and then with CGI they make it much bigger. Also, I wear really big contact lenses in my eyes that cover my whole eye. It’s like there’s no white in my eye almost. And I feel kind of claustrophobic as well. I have tunnel vision, so it makes me feel like I’m in my own world, which is kind of good for the character too.
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2..Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki)..Ph: Film Frame..©Marvel Studios 2017
Elizabeth Debicki: I think I’ve got it the easiest because I just sort of sit there and someone paints me. It’s kind of sticky and cold but I love it. The first day I thought it was a bit overwhelming, the whole paint situation. And then I came to set and I said hi to Zoe, and I said ‘What time did you come to work?’ and she said three AM. I had a very civil call of like six am. So I thought I am never ever complaining about makeup ever again.
Actually for me the most time consuming and hectic part of Ayesha is the costume. That gold dress is almost entirely metal. And it weighs so much. It takes about three women to get me into it. We used to call it the Ayesha Taco because the whole bottom of the dress is like a great big circular metal thing and they would fold it up like a taco and then I would walk up the stairs. And wherever I get placed, that’s where I am for the day.
Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, & Elizabeth Debicki | Photo Credit: Louise Bishop/MomStart.com
Can you talk about the process for you to get into your characters? Was there anything you had to remind yourself to make sure that you stayed in character?
PK : I think it’s just about listening and being in the moment and just having fun. We talked with James about the character and I brought my touch and some weirdness and I had fun with it. Because it’s an alien who’s bug-like and you can invent whatever you want. I wanted her to be nervous, so she kind of cleans her hands like a preying mantis. Sometimes I’d be tilting my head like a dog, when they’re asking a question.
He really reinvented the super hero movie, he made it something really human.
What’s it like now being in the Marvel family and would you like to see your characters expand a lot more within the Marvel family?
KG: It’s such a cool sensation actually to be part of something that people care about because that’s not always the case. Usually you’re trying so hard to just make people care about your project. But with things like Dr. Who and this, it has this built in fan base and they’re just so accepting and they’re so passionate.
Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, & Elizabeth Debicki | Photo Credit: Louise Bishop/MomStart.com
ED : It’s actually a huge privilege as an actor, like Karen said, to be a part of something that people really want to see and that they care so deeply about. And I suppose the first interaction I had with it was at Comic-Con last year and there’s so many people there. It’s sort of like pure joy that just shoots out of everyone and it’s incredible. I found it very overwhelming and I sort of kept getting very emotional in interviews like just after, because it’s rare in life to be a part of something that people love so much and they care so much about. And there is for me anyway –
Strangely enough, I wasn’t really nervous about watching the film or being there last night. Usually I get very nervous. But I just have the sense that- I’d seen it already and I think it’s wonderful. But I just sort of knew that it was going to be accepted with such love. And I had hoped that we would be too. Because we’re new to it.
PK : I think it’s not just a Marvel movie, it’s a James Gunn. I think he’s such a genius. And he really reinvented the super hero movie, he made it something really human. And it really talks about family – there is action, it’s hilarious, and it’s also so moving and heart breaking – it’s so many things at the same time. It’s so many emotions and I think it’s really special.
Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, & Elizabeth Debicki | Photo Credit: Louise Bishop/MomStart.com
It’s okay to be imperfect and to not be like any everyone else.
You all play three strong female roles in the movie in your own different ways. What do you want girls to take away from your female characters?
PK : That it’s okay to be imperfect and to not be like any everyone else. Be weird sometimes. That’s what makes you interesting.
ED : Well for Ayesha- don’t be like Ayesha. Someone said on the carpet, what similarities are between you and Ayesha? I’m like none, I really hope none.
She doesn’t take no for an answer. I think the thing about Ayesha is she is very justified in what she’s doing. And she’s very strong. I suppose her moral compass is slightly askew and she’s slightly merciless. I suppose what I like about her is that she isn’t perfect, she’s actually quite fallible. Even though I mean the irony is they’re genetically modified to be perfect and she’s extremely imperfect, so I guess the same thing in a way. But I would say you could look at Ayesha and then decide to be compassionate.
KG : I like seeing a woman in a leadership position. A woman can be the boss absolutely.
Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, & Elizabeth Debicki | Photo Credit: Louise Bishop/MomStart.com
And these women ARE all the BOSS. Go see them in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 this weekend!
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 opens in theaters nationwide Friday, May 5, 2017
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Other Articles from the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 Event you may enjoy:
I’m Heading to LA for the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 World Premiere!
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That Time When the Dancing With the Stars Cast Taught Me How to Dance
My Purple Carpet Experience at the World Premiere of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2
Chris Pratt Reveals Peter Quill’s Favorite Snack: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 Easter Eggs
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Disney Channel’s Descendants 2 Spoilers
Zoe Saldana Reveals Why She’d Like a Break From Playing Kick Ass Science Fiction Females
Does American Housewife Katy Mixon Read Our Thoughts?
Dave Bautista: Guardians versus the Avengers
Meet the Ladies of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2: Karen Gillian, Pom Klementieff & Elizabeth Debicki
10 Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 Toys You Must Have
Kurt Russell Reveals Why He Thought He Would Kill Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2
Disclaimer: Disney sent me to Los Angeles on an all-expenses paid press trip, in exchange for my coverage of the red carpet premiere of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2. All opinions are my own.
