Kate Beckinsale wants to set the record straight: She is not, nor has she ever aspired to be the object of Goth-geek fantasies, despite a succession of films that suggest otherwise. The bewitching Brit most recently appeared as a latex-clad vampire at war with werewolves in the piceous “Underworld,” and this week she’s back in black (leather) as a sexy monster hunter in “Van Helsing.” Her latest leading man, Hugh Jackman of “X- Men” fame, is also intent on distancing himself from the baroque blockbusters that have thus far distinguished his career — so much so that upon conclusion of principal photography on “Van Helsing” he left Hollywood to spend a year playing song-and-dance man Peter Allen on Broadway. They may have had their fill of this genre, but it didn’t prevent the pair from pumping up “Van Helsing” in a powwow with the press.
QUESTION: Given that you’d both recently done special effects-laden films with supernatural characters, was there any hesitation in signing on for “Van Helsing”?
HUGH JACKMAN: When I met Steve (director Stephen Sommers) I was on my way to shoot “X-Men 2.” I thought that after that, I would do a smaller, independent film. I was a bit reluctant about being in another big franchise, summer popcorn movie. They take so long to make, that it’s like a year of your life. Plus I knew I was coming to Broadway for a year, and I was concerned that if the films did well, there’d be more and more (sequels).
WHAT CONVINCED YOU TO TAKE THE ROLE?
HJ: I rang Steve and told him I know this picture’s going to be great, I know the characters are great, but that I’m a bit nervous about, you know, what I just mentioned. There was a pause, and he said, “Hugh, I think you’re the only actor in Hollywood who is nervous about being in two successful franchises.” And I had a giggle and that was about it.
KATE BECKINSALE: I’m not interested in vampires at all, so I’m kind of surprised I’m here. When I got sent the script for “Underworld” I almost didn’t read it because I thought, ooh, vampires and were-wolves aren’t really my kind of thing. Then when I got (the script for “Van Helsing”) there were vampires and werewolves in it, but my character was so different … I don’t have a career plan, and I like to see how things come out and keep going in different directions. This very much felt like a different direction for me. But yeah, I can’t do anymore vampire films.
Hugh, you’ve been working on the stage in New York. Is there a different sense of responsibility in making big-budget films than there is on a smaller theater productions?
HJ: With the stage show, it’s changed in that if I’m sick, the show’s off. If I had a bad day filming, we can just reschedule and do it again. With theater, there’s that discipline – you’ve just got to be on every night, which can be tough.
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR DIRECTOR, STEPHEN SOMMERS.
HJ: Steve is very guileless, like an innocent. It’s totally infectious.
KB: During shooting, you watch him watching the monitors and he’s twitching and moving and saying all the lines for everybody. It’s extraordinary; he’s like a kid with a very expensive Barbie and Ken.
HJ: I’m not that expensive, actually. KB: Oh, yes you are (laughs).
In an earlier interview, kate described you as “The nicest man in hollywood.” Does the label fit?
HJ: You’re going to ruin my career, Kate.
KB: I checked you out, believe me. I watched you for six months. You are the nicest.
HJ: How do I react to that? Well, it’s easy to nice around good people. We had fun. I think it’s the most fun I ever had on a set.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 7, 2004. Read the original PDF.