Rosamund Pike wanted Mary Poppins role

Actress Rosamund Pike arrives on the red carpet of the movie "Hostiles" opening the 12th edition of the Rome Film Fest in Rome.Picture: AP

Actress Rosamund Pike arrives on the red carpet of the movie "Hostiles" opening the 12th edition of the Rome Film Fest in Rome.Picture: AP

Published Mar 26, 2018

Share

Rosamund Pike wanted to play Mary Poppins in the franchise reboot and even wrote to director Rob Marshall to show her interest.

The 39-year-old actress - who has sons Solo five, and Atom, three, with partner Robie Uniacke - felt it was worth reaching out to the filmmaker to let him know she was interested in playing the magical nanny in long-awaited sequel 'Mary Poppins Returns', but the role went to Emily Blunt.

She recalled to Total Film magazine: "[I wrote] 'Just so you know, I would really love to be Mary Poppins.'

"It's worth putting your hat in the ring for things sometimes."

When it comes to choosing her roles, Rosamund - who can next be seen playing a German terrorist in Jose Padilha's 'Entebbe' - wants to work with directors who are passionate about the pr

oject.

She explained: "I really want to know the director has to make the film. It's not just a job.

"I felt that very strongly with Jose for 'Entebbe.

"You want to know, Does this person have a strong take? Is it in their blood?"

Meanwhile, the British actress admitted she found it very "traumatic" working on 'Hostiles', in which she played a mother who lost her family in a violent attack.

She said: "I've had to live in a very, very dark place for a while.

"It was really traumatic. It felt very real.

"When I re-watch that, I feel it was something I lived, rather than something I acted in."

But Rosamund is thankful directors have given her opportunities to push herself with her performances.

She said: "I think it's to do with being free to experiment. I think directors see that I'm prepared to get my hands dirty.

"You test your limits of your comfort zone. It seems unnatural and yet you feel surprisingly comfortable... it's a chance to do something that potentially could fail. It's a risk, right?"

Related Topics: