Much like the meteoric rise of child actors such as Abigail Breslin or Haley Joel Osment, Chloe Moretz became a household name virtually overnight earlier this year when Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Kick-Ass surprised box office guru’s and moviegoers alike. Her balance of every-girl-cutesyness, pitch perfect delivery and beyond-her-years wisdom has made her Hollywood’s go-to pre-teen and the offers are pouring in.
This Friday, Ms. Moretz stars in the highly-anticipated and wonderfully reviewed Let Me In, the English remake of the global hit thriller Let The Right One In. I got the chance to speak with her about the film, her cinematic heroes and much more. Read on for the full interview and check out Let Me In this Friday!
Q: Hey Chloe, how are you?
Chloe Moretz: I’m good, how are you?
Q: I’m good. Thanks for taking the time to talk to me.
CM: Oh, no problem. My pleasure.
Q: I wanted to start off asking you a little about yourself before we get into the films. I know you’re only 13, but when was it that you decided that you wanted to act?
CM: Well, my brother Trevor got accepted to a professional performing arts high school in New York City, so basically, I got the acting bug. I found it through him because I saw how much he loved it. I used to run his lines with him and I fell in love with it through there.
Q: Is he still acting?
CM: Yeah. He’s been my acting coach since I was 6.
Q: Great. I assume that you’re still in school. How do you balance your professional life, your home life and your school life with all of these fantastic opportunities popping up every other day?
CM: I’ve been homeschooled ever since I was in 3rd grade, so I’ve had the same teachers. The consistency has been really good. You know, I look forward to having school now. I love being home schooled.
Q: Getting more in depth about Let Me In, did you read the book or see the original film before taking the role or beginning production?
CM: I haven’t seen the Swedish film and still haven’t seen it because, you know, it’s R-rated (laughs). My brother, who’s my acting coach, didn’t want me to watch it because he and [director] Matt (Reeves) wanted me to have a pure and natural connection to Abby.
Q: What was discussed between Kodi, You, and Matt Reeves when talking about developing the friendship and bond between Abby and Owen during Let Me In.
CM: You know, a lot of it came naturally. We were just really good friends and it just was what it was. We didn’t have to think about it too much because you know, we just were natural with it. But yeah, we just had to figure out all the dimensions. She may be 300-years-old but she’s still just a 13-year-old girl.
Q: I don’t know if you set out on this career path on purpose, but you’re becoming known in internet circles and amongst journalists and fans as the go-to, badass 13-year-old and everyone loves you for it. So how do you prepare for roles that are visceral and kick-ass, for the lack of a better word?
CM: Basically, I have my brother Trevor who’s my acting coach and who’s coached me forever. We go over it together and we figure out the role together and that’s what we do.
Q: Since you’re working with so many legendary filmmakers this early in your career, who do you aspire to work with? Actors? Directors?
CM: Natalie Portman, definitely. I think she’s a phenomenal actress and she is so amazing. I totally love her and look up to her.
Q: Any directors?
CM: Martin Scorsese (laughs), but I’m already working with him so…(laughs). Steven Spielberg. There’s a lot of people I’d love to work with.
Q: Great. I hope you get the chance to. What, if anything, is your experience with comic books? Do you have a love of comic books that pulls you toward those kinds of projects?
CM: I guess I could say that I love comic books. I think they’re cool and they’re different than just (looking at) a script. You know, I just look for really great characters and something unique and something different than what any other kid would be taking.
Q: Great. Thanks for talking.
CM: It was my pleasure.
