If Kirsten Dunst was intent on getting one thing straight during this press conversation, it’s that she is emphatically melancholy no more. Aiming to ditch her morose Melancholia persona in a big way, along with being the one who doesn’t get to wear the wedding dress this time around, Kirsten described her radically new and different role in playwright Leslye Headland’s stage to screen Bachelorette as a sort of ridiculously raunchy Hangover for hotties instead. In any case, the thirsty bubbly blonde made it clear that she will no longer tolerate the further mangling of her name in public, or that she has to be limited to those girly roles all the time, thank you. Not to mention way overdue to play bitchy.
KIRSTEN DUNST: Hey, hi. I’d love water too! [Eying my Fiji bottle] Thank you.
Okay, first things first. So how did you feel about being a bachelorette?
KD: Kinky, love it!
How so?
KD: Well I actually did something really interesting. You know, me saying the ‘F’ word is funny. Because I’m like, all put together in the movie. You know, with…my Chanel bag!
Kirsten, what made Bachelorette and transforming yourself into one for this movie, too irresistible for you to pass up?
KD: Hold on. That’s Kirsten, not ‘Kursten.’ Thank you! Hey, after all these years of people getting it wrong, maybe I’ll just start correcting everyone!
Okay, let’s see. Well for me, coming off Melancholia, I really wanted to do a comedy. You know?
I hear you.
KD: I just hadn’t done one in a while. And people don’t see you in that light unless, you know, if you’re a comedic actress.
So I had really wanted to be involved in that way. Because I never wanted to be pigeonholed in any type of mood. Or girly attire.
Because I got these little scripts after Melancholia that were, you know, heady! And weird. Depressing! And I was like, I’m not gonna repeat this again.
How come?
KD: It’s just boring for me. And nuts too. So I got this script, and met Leslye. And I was like, this is hilarious. And you know, I would love to go completely opposite. And be in this project.
And play the bitch…
KD: Essentially!
Now, your character Regan, did you identify with that dark side of hers in any way?
KD: I liked that I got to play a role that is totally the opposite of what I have played.
But I don’t know, it’s fun not to have to be the sweet, cute girl. You know what I mean?
Like it’s fun to just let it rip, and let it all hang out. And that was what was so much fun about this movie for me.
What about those bachelorettes on TV, are you a fan?
KD: I love those TV shows, they’re just so ridiculous. Like everyone vying with each other, they’re so dramatic.
Yeah, it’s amazing. Trash TV that you can watch with your mom and grandma on a Monday night! Yeah, it’s really cool. I watch it.
And I read recently that Lisa Kudrow said she watches Real Housewives. Because she thinks it’s important to see the downfall of civilization! And stuff like that. I totally agree.
Why do you think the idea of bachelorettes has an appeal?
KD: You know, you watch the red band trailer, and I feel like it appeals to young guys. And young girls. And I think it’s the chemistry too. Literally, just the right chemistry.
And I just think us as a combo, is a nice thing to see. And I think it’s also shot in a way that feels very alive, you know what I mean?
And I think people just respond to things they want to see. And just naturally, like you watch the trailer and you go, I want to see that. Or you don’t!
Even if it shows the nasty side of these women?
KD: Hey, we look like a mess. And I think that’s refreshing. Instead of all those movies that are only about like…Boom!
What in the world is that?
KD: It’s an ongoing thing we do on the side! Plus, we’ve been up forever, doing Good Morning America and stuff. Ugh…
But people have strong opinions about Bachelorette, even from the trailer. And they seem to be really into it, and identify with these women. Or they hate it. But we love it!
Speaking of which, you were just in Melancholia, and that divided people too. So do you ever take that personally?
KD: I feel that’s what makes a movie a movie. You know, people can say about a movie, that’s a classic. But at the time, one feels this way, and the other one feels that.
And if a movie divides people, that’s a good thing. I’d much rather people talk about it. Yeah, and that it opens up discussions.
So I’d much rather make a movie that pisses people off. Instead of after the movie, like where should we go for dinner! Yeah…Boom!
What do you feel about all those issues that your character is going through? And dealing with it by doing weird stuff, like a preference for sex in strange places?
KD: Ha! I think that’s what is shocking to everyone so far. Is that, you know, it’s okay for the boys. But it’s not okay for the girls.
And that’s just a societal thing. But the darkness, you get it really quickly. And it sort of bothers people, but in the best way.
Well, did that dawn on you when you were playing her?
KD: Yeah. But then there’s movies like The Hangover. And it’s more abrasive, because you see women doing it, instead of men.
Because obviously, we’re just telling the same stories over and over again in movies. But it’s really how you tell it, and the chemistry of the people who put it together that’s important.
How do you go about finding good roles for women, with that sort of attitude going around?
KD: I mean, it’s kind of your job as an actress to define what kinds of things you want to do. And the types of people you want to surround yourself with. So it’s your tastes in kind of what you want.
Because everything is out there. It’s just how you go about your own process, I think.
And what is true to who you are, and what you want to put out into the world too. Which is what you want from an actress
Have you seen Bring It On yet, on Broadway?
KD: Not yet, no. I want to see it. I can’t wait. I should do a double. One night there, and one night of Spider-Man!
And after that Melancholia too, it should be very big on Broadway. The musical!
