I had danced, but I hadn’t danced in 10 years. Trust me, it doesn’t get any easier with age. I dreaded getting up in the morning. I realized why I quit in the first place. But, obviously, that was one of the things that was cool about doing this.
You live in France but you’re from Germany. How did you start getting roles in America? You’ve got this one, and before this was “Troy.”
Actually we did this first. I’ve lived in France for nearly 10 years and I did three French films. This happened by coincidence. I didn’t have an agent here. I had never been to Hollywood, actually. [The “Wicker Park” producers] were in Paris having lunch with Luc Besson, who I was working with for a movie, and he recommended me to him. So they actually called me, which I thought would never happen so it’s really by coincidence.
Are you into French cinema?
Yes, I do like to see French films actually.
Did you see the original French film this movie’s based on?
I saw it when it first came out. I liked it very much. I do think that “Wicker Park” is quite different from the original, which I think is a good thing because a bad remake of a pretty good film is really terrible. I think it sufficiently different that it stands on its own. I think the characters in “Wicker Park” are actually more intense and more real than the original.
You and Rose Byrne have also worked together on “Troy.” How is it working with Rose?
Well, this is the first time we worked together. We shot this before so that’s where we got to know each other. She’s a really classy lady and a terrific actress. She probably had more experience than any of us. She’s been in the business for years. She’s been acting I think since she was 13. So this is my fourth movie and I felt like the new kid on the block, totally. Being on “Troy” with her was just great because we knew each other very well. There were three women on “Troy,” so [we had] a lot of downtime in six months.
You’re in “Troy” with Orlando Bloom and Brad Pitt, and now this one with Josh Hartnett…
Well, I did a movie right after with Nicolas Cage so I’m moving into the adult world, I guess. I was very popular amongst my girlfriends. They all came to visit. Actually, that whole thing around Orlando happened when we were shooting “Troy.” When we started, nobody knew who he was. He had done “Lord of the Rings” but nobody recognized him in the streets. And then throughout the shoot, “Pirates” came out and it was pretty incredible how that changed – so unbelievable. It was kind of frightening. He was completely unrecognized and then the next day…50 14 year-old girls [come] out screaming.
Have things changed for you since “Troy?”
Yes and no. Not dramatically. It certainly has opened up many doors work-wise and I get a lot more job offers. I think the most difficult time starts now because you have the choice to make. [To] choose the good projects and turn down or hold out for the good parts.
What’s the movie with Nicolas Cage?
It’s called “National Treasure” and it’s a Bruckheimer movie. It’s sort of an adventure film, like “Indiana Jones” set in Washington, Philadelphia and NY.
Are you involved in a lot of action scenes?
Not so much action. We find clues, these Masonic symbols, and you see a lot of American history. We shot in Independence Hall. There is some action but it’s really more clue-finding. We find a clue on a dollar bill for example. It’s really kind of cool.
Is it like “The DaVinci Code?”
It’s really not at all. [They] can’t be compared. You’ll see when you see the film but it’s popular history, for sure. It’s really about American history. “The DaVinci Code” will be a dramatic film.
Do you get to kick some butts?
Not really. I hang off a van door and I hang out the door without falling down. We shot it for about a week. It was fun for like two nights and then I was over it. I don’t think I’ll be the next Lara Croft.
Was there anything special you did to prepare physically for this role, or for your other films?
I think I should have. I get pretty beat up in “National Treasure” (laughing). But, whatever the role requires. This one I’m dancing. For “Troy” I had to gain weight so that was a transformation. On “National Treasure” I probably should have been a better athlete and in better shape, but that was too late. For this movie I’m starting next week, I play an opera singer so I trained for two months in opera in France, which was cool.
Will we see more real stunts or more CGI in “National Treasure?”
There is a lot of CGI because you see the treasure being handed from generation to generation, so you have the Crusades passed on to the Incas.
In what movie are you playing an opera singer?
It’s a movie called “Merry Christmas” and it’s a true story. It takes place in 1914 and kind of a famous story about [how] the Scottish, German and French decided to make peace on Christmas Eve.
