Julia Roberts Transforms into the Evil Queen
"Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?" This most frequently uttered and quintessentially "evil" line from the Grimm fairy tale Snow White—spoken by the voluptuous Julia Roberts—promises a shockingly subversive spectacle.
Adapted from the classic fairy tale and directed by Tarsem Singh, the fantasy comedy blockbuster Mirror Mirror hits mainland Chinese theaters on June 1st, Children's Day. Roberts sheds her "sweetheart" image beloved worldwide to portray her first villainous role—the wicked queen.This queen not only schemes against Snow White but also becomes her romantic rival, vying for the heart of the tall, handsome, and wealthy Prince Alcott. Released in the U.S. three months ago, the big-mouthed queen has garnered more buzz than the leading lady among American netizens.
Adapting the Classic: The Evil Queen Outshines the Princess
Director Tarsem Singh admits that since the success of Alice in Wonderland, audiences realized fairy tales could be adapted not just into animated films but also into live-action movies with strong box office appeal. "And when you look for the most well-known fairy tales, you inevitably think of Snow White."But times have changed. Young audiences won't settle for just a story about vanity and 'who is the fairest of them all,' so we had to find a different angle. First and foremost, this is a film children can watch too, so the Queen must be both wicked and entertaining. Similarly, Snow White is no longer the helpless damsel waiting to be rescued from the original story. Trained by the dwarves, she becomes a skilled swordswoman."
To fulfill the "entertaining" requirement, the director and screenwriter crafted a more complex Queen than in the original tale. "She's a captivating woman, yet temperamental and cunning. Her extravagant beauty rituals nearly bankrupt the kingdom. So when the wealthy Prince Alcott arrives, even knowing he loves Snow White, she resolves to win him at any cost."
Casting: An American Sweetheart's Subversive Performance
Cunning, vain, utterly devoid of morality...The Queen" could easily be cast as a typical villainess. But to amplify the character's wickedness, Tashim Singh sought an actress who would completely surprise audiences. "I envisioned the Queen as evil, dark, and venomous, yet possessing an irresistible charm. Julia Roberts is a woman of extraordinary charisma who effortlessly embodies these traits."Producer Bernie Goldman enthusiastically added: "Her signature laugh and smile are unmistakable, yet in this film, you can detect 'evil' within them. Witnessing her image transformed so completely is truly fascinating."
On the other hand, Julia Roberts is a fan of Tarsem Singh and was quickly drawn to the concept. "The Brothers Grimm's 'Snow White' is only a few pages long, and Disney's animated version offered a simple, limited interpretation of the character. But Tarsem Singh gave us a story far richer than these predecessors."Another reason she wanted to take on the role of the Queen was its complexity. "I even feel she has a bit of a 'split personality,' which is genuinely fascinating."
Actress Julia Roberts Admits Trying Botox
In the film, the Queen resorts to bizarre methods like bee stings, snake venom, and eating live worms to preserve her youth, delivering some hilarious moments.Off-screen, the 45-year-old Roberts admitted she had indeed tried Botox once. "The effect over those few months was truly unforgettable, but I didn't think that look was cute.My feeling is, I have three children, and I want them to accurately perceive the emotions I express through my facial expressions." Regarding other actresses, "I don't want to comment on those who can't turn their heads or smile freely because of excessive Botox injections. I don't understand them, but if it makes them happy, that's fine too."
To let her three children grow up like ordinary kids, Julia Roberts has always kept her acting career low-key, especially not wanting them to discover their mom played the villainous "Evil Queen." "I once showed them the animated Snow White, and they all cried in fear, even having nightmares afterward. So I'm reluctant to tell them."However, during filming, the children spotted Roberts in her costume. Later, they saw the trailer for Mirror Mirror through other channels. Fortunately, the outcome wasn't bad. "It all happened naturally. They thought it was cool that I could star in such a film."