Katie, you play the one central character created specifically for the film. Was it fun to bring an original creation to life instead of one with a comic book back story?
Katie Holmes: “I was so excited to play such a strong female character. Rachel is tough, she’s worked hard for everything she’s gotten, she’s strong-willed and enthusiastic, and she’s a fighter. It was exciting to play her, and exciting to play a D.A. I’m the daughter of an attorney and the sister of one. This script was very well written, and she was very well-written–she was very much on the page already. I did feel great playing her.”
Without being limited by a mythology that had come before, what qualities did you want to give her?
Holmes: “She had so much strength, and I just wanted to make sure that was seen. I loved the relationship between Bruce and Rachel, and how their relationship–because they had known each other for so long, they earned that care for each other, and that closeness. And that was exciting and I really wanted to make sure that sort of pure friendship was perceived.”
Michael, there’s a terrific father-son relationship between Alfred and Bruce. How did you and Christian develop that?
Michael Caine: “I had a great knowledge of how butlers are, even though I didn’t play a normal butler. I wanted to make him a very tough butler. So my own back story was that he’s an ex-S.A.S. man–which is a very special service in the British military–who got wounded and who didn’t want to leave the Army and was put in charge of the sergeants’ mess or canteen, so therefore he learned to serve drinks and do stuff, and that made him a butler. And Bruce Wayne’s father got hold of him and said ‘I want the toughest butler in the world.'”
Were you a fan of the comics as a child?
Caine: “No, I didn’t read the comics. I grew up during the war and we didn’t have comics. I don’t know how–I think they used to make bullets out of comics. So Batman got fired at the Germans, instead of flying at them. I just know in the War we didn’t have anything: we didn’t have sugar, Coca-Cola, cakes, biscuits, fruit. You used to get a banana and an orange at Christmas. But that’s another part of my story. That’s for the story ‘Alfred Begins.'”
Katie, we can’t pick up a newspaper or turn on the television without seeing the other things going on in your life. Do you think that’s going to overshadow the movie in any way?
Holmes: “I don’t care. I’m so happy… I think it’s going to be a great summer. I just saw the movie. I’m so proud of it and proud to be in it. I feel great.”
Is it true that you used to dream about it when you were a kid, that you always wanted to go on a date with Tom Cruise?
Holmes: “I always wanted to MARRY Tom Cruise. [laughs] I did!”
Can you say how the two of you met?
Holmes: “We went on a, a wonderful–I don’t know. We went on a great date. He’s the most amazing man in the world.”
What does he bring to your life?
Holmes: “I feel like he’s made my life. He’s amazing. He’s kind, he’s generous, he’s smart. He’s Tom Cruise. He’s the most artistic man I’ve ever met. He’s a joy. He makes me laugh like I’ve never laughed. He’s the most wonderful man.”
And Michael, how does Tom Cruise make YOU feel?
Caine: “I’ve always liked Tom Cruise. [laughter from all] I met him before she did.”
Katie, would you and Tom consider working together? A lot of people were mentioned for Mission Impossible 3…
Holmes: “I’m going to be on the set of Mission Impossible 3–“
Caine: [Interrupting] “Would you tell Tom I’d like to work with him? Tell Tom we’ve never worked together, and I was always very nice to him.”
Holmes: “I will. [giggles] Obviously, I would be honored to work with Tom, but right now I love loving Tom.”
Are you both signed for a sequel?
Holmes: “Mentally we both are.”
Caine: “Mentally, we’ve signed.”
