INTERVIEWS > MAGGIE CASTLE
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Maggie Castle is a gifted young actress with a long list of credits starting from a very early age. She has starred in over twenty film and television projects including Beach Girls, The Perfect Man, The Woods and The Jackal. Her depth of professional experience and her natural youthful looks give her versatility as a performer that regularly lands her roles in both studio and network productions. With excellent instincts for both dramatic and comedic material, Maggie Castle is one of the hottest new acting talents coming up the ranks. In this interview you'll learn what she looks for in a character, what she thinks about being on a movie set and what she has to say about Anthony Hopkins!
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Johnny: What are your current projects? What are you up to now?
Maggie Castle: Right now, Iím busy auditioning for film and television projects but ìDead Maryî a horror film I shot this past summer comes out on DVD this month (February) and ìThe Madî another film I recently finished, so Iím excited about that!
Johnny: How did you feel working with some of Hollywood's biggest stars from Bruce Willis, Richard Gere and Hilary Duff? Any experiences you learned working with them?
Maggie Castle: It was a pleasure to work with all three of them. ìThe Jackalî was my first role in a big feature so I was a little nervous but both Bruce Willis and Richard Gere were really sweet and supportive - they always made sure I was okay in between takes! Hilary Duff was incredibly cute and smart - sheís very savvy about what she does and the industry in general. I really admired their professionalism and dedication. It was obvious that they love what they do.
Johnny: What can you tell me about your new film "Weirdsvilleî? Who do you play and what is the movie about?
Maggie Castle: The title ìWeirdsvilleî pretty much says it all! Itís a very quirky film that follows two drug addicts played by Scott Speedman and Wes Bentley and their wild and crazy adventures over the course of one night. I play a member of a Satanic cult whoís after the boys. It was my first time playing an evil character and I wanted to be like Dennis Hopper in ìBlue Velvetî! I would explain more but the filmís plot is so totally wacky I donít know where to beginÖyou have to see it to know what Iím talking about!
Johnny: You have two upcoming feature films that are horror-genre in "Dead Mary" and "The Mad." Why did you decide to do these two horror movies back to back?
Maggie Castle: When I read the scripts for both films, I was attracted to the fact that the characters I was going to play were not your typical ìhorror filmî girls. They were more complex and werenít constantly being victimized like we see in so many horror films. ìDead Maryî is a character driven film and although it has horror elements, it takes the time to tell a story about a group of people and their relationships with one another so that we actually care about what happens to them. In ìThe Madî I played a less dramatic role and the film was more of a spoof on the whole horror-genre. It was a great opportunity for me to do some comedy.
Johnny: Entertainment Tonight Canada is calling you the new teen scream queen! How do you feel about that? Is it a big deal to you?
Maggie Castle: I donít know about thatÖitís funny but I think they almost had to say that because when they came to set I was covered in fake bloodÖit wasnít pretty!
Johnny: If Hollywood gave you a choice to play a legendary actress, who would it be and why?
Maggie Castle: Thatís a tough one but I think I would want to play someone with some characterÖa real ìtough broadî like Mae West or Bette Davis. Itís always so much more fun being the bad ass than the good girl.
Johnny: What other types of roles would you consider playing?
Maggie Castle: I think itís always easier to play roles you can relate too or characters that are similar to yourself but I would consider playing any role that took me away from all that. The roles where I donít necessarily understand the character or their actions would be worth playing just for the challenge and the experience.
Johnny: You've also done TV like "Are You Afraid of the Dark" and "Arthur." Is it a different kind of environment than filming movies? What are your experiences on TV?
Maggie Castle: I find when I do TV itís a totally different experience then film because youíre coming onto a show that already has its set storylines and cast of characters. But being on a TV show can be a great way to build and develop a character plus you get really good at learning lines because they shoot a lot quicker then films do! Doing voice work on ìArthurî is cool because it really doesnít matter what I look like and thereís no waiting around like you do on set.
Johnny: Many actors have a strategy for the auditioning process. How do you prepare yourself for an audition?
Maggie Castle:: It changes all the time because some auditions require more prep time than others depending on the character or the way the script is written. But once Iím in the room, my strategy is to know the lines so well that I donít have to think about them anymore and just focus on staying in the moment and then letting that play out.
Johnny: Who is the one actor who'd love to work with in your entire career?
Maggie Castle: Anthony Hopkins always comes to mind when I think of great acting. I think he has a wonderful presence on screen because he has the ability to be powerful without being overbearing. He acts with his eyes and although his outward appearance rarely changes, there is a noticeable internal shift. Plus, even when heís playing Hannibal Lecter he manages to stay likeable!
Johnny: What's your ultimate goal in the acting business?
Maggie Castle: My ultimate goal with acting is just to keep making it fun and challenging for myself. I love my jobÖit makes me so incredibly happy I could honestly live on set 365 days a year! I hope that as I continue with it, I will find myself in a position where I am able to choose my own roles and projectsÖmaybe even produce them too!
Maggie Castle: Right now, Iím busy auditioning for film and television projects but ìDead Maryî a horror film I shot this past summer comes out on DVD this month (February) and ìThe Madî another film I recently finished, so Iím excited about that!
Johnny: How did you feel working with some of Hollywood's biggest stars from Bruce Willis, Richard Gere and Hilary Duff? Any experiences you learned working with them?
Maggie Castle: It was a pleasure to work with all three of them. ìThe Jackalî was my first role in a big feature so I was a little nervous but both Bruce Willis and Richard Gere were really sweet and supportive - they always made sure I was okay in between takes! Hilary Duff was incredibly cute and smart - sheís very savvy about what she does and the industry in general. I really admired their professionalism and dedication. It was obvious that they love what they do.
Johnny: What can you tell me about your new film "Weirdsvilleî? Who do you play and what is the movie about?
Maggie Castle: The title ìWeirdsvilleî pretty much says it all! Itís a very quirky film that follows two drug addicts played by Scott Speedman and Wes Bentley and their wild and crazy adventures over the course of one night. I play a member of a Satanic cult whoís after the boys. It was my first time playing an evil character and I wanted to be like Dennis Hopper in ìBlue Velvetî! I would explain more but the filmís plot is so totally wacky I donít know where to beginÖyou have to see it to know what Iím talking about!
Johnny: You have two upcoming feature films that are horror-genre in "Dead Mary" and "The Mad." Why did you decide to do these two horror movies back to back?
Maggie Castle: When I read the scripts for both films, I was attracted to the fact that the characters I was going to play were not your typical ìhorror filmî girls. They were more complex and werenít constantly being victimized like we see in so many horror films. ìDead Maryî is a character driven film and although it has horror elements, it takes the time to tell a story about a group of people and their relationships with one another so that we actually care about what happens to them. In ìThe Madî I played a less dramatic role and the film was more of a spoof on the whole horror-genre. It was a great opportunity for me to do some comedy.
Johnny: Entertainment Tonight Canada is calling you the new teen scream queen! How do you feel about that? Is it a big deal to you?
Maggie Castle: I donít know about thatÖitís funny but I think they almost had to say that because when they came to set I was covered in fake bloodÖit wasnít pretty!
Johnny: If Hollywood gave you a choice to play a legendary actress, who would it be and why?
Maggie Castle: Thatís a tough one but I think I would want to play someone with some characterÖa real ìtough broadî like Mae West or Bette Davis. Itís always so much more fun being the bad ass than the good girl.
Johnny: What other types of roles would you consider playing?
Maggie Castle: I think itís always easier to play roles you can relate too or characters that are similar to yourself but I would consider playing any role that took me away from all that. The roles where I donít necessarily understand the character or their actions would be worth playing just for the challenge and the experience.
Johnny: You've also done TV like "Are You Afraid of the Dark" and "Arthur." Is it a different kind of environment than filming movies? What are your experiences on TV?
Maggie Castle: I find when I do TV itís a totally different experience then film because youíre coming onto a show that already has its set storylines and cast of characters. But being on a TV show can be a great way to build and develop a character plus you get really good at learning lines because they shoot a lot quicker then films do! Doing voice work on ìArthurî is cool because it really doesnít matter what I look like and thereís no waiting around like you do on set.
Johnny: Many actors have a strategy for the auditioning process. How do you prepare yourself for an audition?
Maggie Castle:: It changes all the time because some auditions require more prep time than others depending on the character or the way the script is written. But once Iím in the room, my strategy is to know the lines so well that I donít have to think about them anymore and just focus on staying in the moment and then letting that play out.
Johnny: Who is the one actor who'd love to work with in your entire career?
Maggie Castle: Anthony Hopkins always comes to mind when I think of great acting. I think he has a wonderful presence on screen because he has the ability to be powerful without being overbearing. He acts with his eyes and although his outward appearance rarely changes, there is a noticeable internal shift. Plus, even when heís playing Hannibal Lecter he manages to stay likeable!
Johnny: What's your ultimate goal in the acting business?
Maggie Castle: My ultimate goal with acting is just to keep making it fun and challenging for myself. I love my jobÖit makes me so incredibly happy I could honestly live on set 365 days a year! I hope that as I continue with it, I will find myself in a position where I am able to choose my own roles and projectsÖmaybe even produce them too!