Alice Braga
This Friday at South by Southwest in Austin, Robert Rodriguez and Nimrod Antal will debut the first footage from “Predators,” their updated take on the classic alien invasion horror franchise. The story takes place on the predators’ home planet, as a group of humans — including Adrien Brody, Laurence Fishburne and Topher Grace — are hunted for sport by the alien baddies.
With just days to go until SXSW, MTV News had a chance to chat with co-star Alice Braga about her role, Brody’s commitment to packing on muscle and the possibility that original franchise star Arnold Schwarzenegger will make a cameo in the film.
MTV News: So some footage is about to debut in Austin. Have you seen any of it yet?
Alice Braga: I haven’t seen. I saw it on set, some of the things. I’m really excited because it was a really cool project. We had a lot of fun on set. By what I’ve seen, the photography is beautiful. Gyula Pados is the [director of photography]. And Nimrod Antal is the director. But the predators, fans, they look really cool! I was really scared. The guys that play them, they’re really tall.
MTV News: In terms of special effects, how much is it going to be CGI and how much is going to be practical effects?
Braga: Should I answer that? They really nailed it out. I think it was nice that they took a long time to go back to make the Predators. Being the only girl in the film, I had a blast.
MTV News: Tell us about your character. She’s a special forces soldier?
Braga: She’s a girl from special forces. She’s a tough cookie. She’s a sniper. She jumps into the story and is trying to run for her life, which is classic “Predator” films.
MTV News: Such a great cast. We’re looking forward to seeing Adrien Brody in an action role, which people were a little skeptical about. What was he like on set in embodying that action hero?
Braga: He was amazing. When we arrived in Hawaii where we first started shooting the film, it was really interesting that he was willing to really get stronger because his body is naturally thin. All of us, we bonded together as a team. We were working out together. He really changed his body, which is great because he challenged himself to do something he hasn’t been doing. I think he’s done it for some films, but never as an action hero. I think he did a great job. I think people are going to be really impressed with his work. He’s a phenomenal actor and really a great person. And a great friend.
MTV News: What is it about Nimrod, in his approach on set and how he pulls everything together, that has everyone so excited?
Braga: He’s one of the nicest directors that I’ve worked with. He’s involved and passionate. Not only technically and with the crew, but with the actors. Nimrod is really passionate about action figures! He has a lot of toys in his office. He’s like a boy. Being directed by someone who loves that type of film is a blast. He feels like a kid on set telling that story. It’s great for the fans to have someone like him directing this film because he will bring what the fans want to see.
MTV News: Did Arnold Schwarzenegger show up on set? Are we gonna see that rumored cameo?
Braga: Who knows? You’re not gonna get it out of me!
