Viola Davis Interview
What character do you play in Andromeda Strain?
“A pathologist, which is a study of tissue and diseases. I have been called by Dr. Jeremy Stone, who's part of this assembled team, to find out what this Andromeda Strain virus is that is threatening to destroy the world.”
Did you have fun on the set?
“You know what? We had a ball on the set. Once we figured out the blue screen/green screen stuff and all the science fiction and medical jargon, it was fun. It was a constant challenge.”
Does the jargon get confusing?
“You know, the logic of how the virus mutates got confusing. But what was so great about it is because we were in such close quarters that life mirrored art, art mirrored life. We started to find out what these scientists actually were really going through in the story, as actors in this small space that they had constructed up in Vancouver.”
What's the most complicated thing you have to say?
“Oh, acetylsalicylic acid, which is Aspirin.”
I have to look that up now.
“Yup, and don't ask me to say it again.”
Did you read the Michael Crichton book or see the original movie?
“I saw the original movie tons of times. I grew up with the movie. I don't want to age myself or date myself, but I grew up with the movie and I thought it was just fantastic. It was just one of my favorite science fiction movies growing up.”
Why didn't you want to go back and read the book?
“Sometimes it's not helpful. If your character is not in the book, if the story resembles it but it's kind of mutated into something else, then it really doesn't help you so much. The script is more helpful than the book.”
And they probably had to update it for modern times?
“Oh yeah, people are now chopping their heads off and having seizures and a lot of blood and gore. You've got to keep people excited.”
They can show all that on A&E?
“You know what? I haven't seen it yet but I hear that they're going to go a little bit far with it. It's Ridley Scott, Tony Scott. They've got a name to uphold.”
And you’ve got an upcoming film with Diane Lane?
“I do. Nights in Rodanthe I have with Diane Lane and Richard Gere, and I have Doubt coming up with Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams.”
What’s it like working with such amazing women?
“I was a little star struck with Meryl Streep. Not just a little. I was very star struck with Meryl Streep, but she couldn't have been more wonderful and fantastic.”
Additional Andromeda Strain Interviews: Christa Miller & Bill Lawrence / Daniel Dae Kim / Eric McCormack
