Denise Richards, who should be known to science fiction and action-adventure fans for her role in STARSHIP TROOPERS, is the latest actress to enter the long tradition of being a Bond Girl.
How does she feel about the experience? “It’s exciting,” she proclaims ethusiastically. “It’s so fun to be part of the history and to follow in the footsteps of Ursula Andress, Jill St. John, Maude Adams, Jane Seymour. I actually did a VANITY FAIR shoot [for the November issue, with Jim Carrey on the cover], starting from Ursula down, and it was so cool to meet a lot of them. They were all very supportive, and they said to enjoy it because it’s exciting and they didn’t realize when they did their films that it would stay with them for as long as it did. They said it stays with you forever.”
WHO DID YOU TALK TO THE MOST AT THE VANITY FAIR SHOOT?
I would say Ursula Andress and Jane Seymour. I was waiting to meet Ursula. I finished the shoot a little early, and I didn`t know when I would ever have an opportunity to meet her again, so I was really looking forward to meeting her the most, because she`s the first Bond girl. I really loved her in DR. NO.
WHAT WAS THE FIRST BOND FILM YOU EVER SAW?
Actually, the first Bond film I saw was GOLDENEYE. I didn`t grow up watching them. Of course, I went back to watch them!
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE?
Hm… My mom`s favorite is GOLDFINGER. She saw that seven times. I couldn`t pick one.
WHAT`S IT LIKE WORKING WITH BROSNAN WHEN THE CAMERAS AREN`T ROLLING?
He`s very personable to the whole crew and to the cast. He`s accessible, and he has a great sense of humor, and he`s great fun to be around.
BUT WHAT WAS IT LIKE WITH YOU AND HIM?
[laughs] Very professional!
WELL, YOU GET TO KISS HIM. THAT`S VERY COOL.
I guess in people`s eyes it`s very cool to kiss James Bond, but when you`re on the set, with the crew and everything, it`s a little different. But yeah, I got to kiss Pierce Brosnan.
WHAT DID PATRICK THINK OF THAT?
He`s an actor, so he knows. He can`t say anything because he`s kissed women too in films. But I`m sure it`s uncomfortable. It`s not the most normal thing to have your boyfriend or girlfriend go to work and kiss their co-worker!
DID YOU CREATE A BACKGROUND FOR YOUR CHARACTER?
I worked with Michael, and I also have an acting coach. She helped me with different things, as opposed to just appearing out of nowhere. But I`d like to keep that [background] to myself.
BEING THE NEW GIRL IN THE FRANCHISE, DID YOU HAVE SOME IDEA ON HOW TO VARY OR IMPROVE THE FORMULA, AND WERE THE FILMMAKERS OPEN TO YOUR SUGGESTIONS?
I think the Bond formula has been working quite well over the years, and I didn`t want to try and copy another Bond girl. I just wanted to focus on what the character is and just do the job.