Versatile actress Selma Blair is starring in Guillermo del Toro’s Hellboy 2: The Golden Army, which is playing in cinemas nationwide. Here, she tells why she’s more in control this time.

Hellboy 2: The Golden Army reunites Salma Blair (left) with Ron Perlman.

SELMA Blair first came to attention with her performance in Cruel Intentions, a youthful retelling of the classic novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses.

She then starred for two seasons as the title character in the TV show Zoe and then appeared in the hit comedy Legally Blonde opposite Reese Witherspoon.

Next, she starred opposite Cameron Diaz and Christina Applegate in The Sweetest Thing and in two independent films that garnered her much critical acclaim — Dana Lustig’s Kill Me Later and Todd Solodnz’s controversial Storytelling.

In 2004, she played Liz in Guillermo del Toro’s Hellboy (starring Ron Perlman in the lead role) and appeared in John Waters’ A Dirty Shame. She recently wrapped production on Homeland Security opposite Colin Hanks, Antonio Banderas and Meg Ryan.
Below is a question-and-answer session with the actress:



Question: So were you expecting another Hellboy movie?

Selma Blair: I always thought the meat would be in the second and third movies, at least for Liz (the character) because she was so frightened in the first — not wanting to take a step, or own up to her power, or the memory in her life. So I was eager to come back and play her with more vibrancy.

Q: And it’s taken four years to get here...

SB: I thought the second would be so simple as I knew this girl, but I realise I don’t know her at all as a woman. It seems such a straightforward role but it has been a challenge not to suck the energy out of Liz because that’s how I played her in the first. I’d really ruin the movie if I played it like that again!

Q: What’s with the angular hairstyle?

SB: I went nuts and shaved my head just prior to starting the movie. I thought Guillermo was going to kill me. I liked my short hair but he gave me this anime-style one-sided wig.

Q: Your character is living with Hellboy now. How’s that working out?

SB: It’s difficult living with someone, especially a guy who takes up as much room as Hellboy and has as many cats as he does. We are very happy together, but there’s trouble with spending so much time with someone you love after being alone for so long and having your own way. I use my power more in this one. Between my power and his little boy sloppy behaviour, we are a sloppy mess.

Q. And today, you are carrying a gun?

SB: Yes, a rubber gun. I barely use it though. I spend so much time in the background with my gun drawn. I’m standing behind my man in the fight with the Elemental in the New York street scene. I don’t like people to see me. Hellboy likes the limelight. Liz doesn’t. She feels uncomfortable under people’s scrutiny.

She’s not going to break out with her fire; she’s in control more this time. In the third film, I’d imagine that’ll be stronger or she won’t have to use her power at all.

Q: Have you noticed a difference in Guillermo since the first film?

SB: I have indeed. This is the most demanding set I’ve ever been on and that’s because Guillermo cares. He has the vision and it’s so specific.

Each time he wants to tell a better story and keep going. There’s a lot to live up to in many people’s eyes and this is seen as a strange one to them, to follow after something as precious and dark as Pan’s Labyrinth.

He has an idea and wants to make this bigger and more mythological in nature. He’s specific about what he wants. I don’t understand sometimes what the scheme of things are, but he does, and that’s all that matters.

Q: Did you know the source material before making the first movie?

SB: I had never read the comic before appearing in the first movie. I heard Guillermo wanted me and I’d loved Devil’s Backbone, so I signed on sight unseen.

Q: So what’s Liz like mentally this time?

SB: She’s not a bundle of neuroses anymore. She’s getting a life and looking to the future. She has to buck up and can’t feel sorry for herself anymore.

Guillermo is good at noticing moments that are lacking and we go back to redo them, pump them up.

I’m not a girl in real life, I often come off as younger than I am. Having all these people around her has had to make her more confident. I don’t look like the baby kid sister tagging along here.

Q: Have you done many new stunts? Some new fire stunts?

SB: A few months ago, although no barbecues and nothing too comedic.

He tells me when I embarrass myself. He brings me down!

No, seriously, everyone does understand this. Anna Walton (Princess Nuala) and I get along although we only have one second together in the movie.

It isn’t just a guy movie. Anna is gorgeous and a wonderful leading lady. I asked to make her clothes lumpier so I looked prettier!

There are strong women in this film, and they’re cute! — Courtesy of United International Pictures