On already being a fan of the works of Frank Miller before being cast as the strip club waitress Shellie:
Brittany Murphy: “I remember when I found out about the job, I wanted to re-familiarize myself with Frank’s graphic novels, and I went to the local comic book store in Hollywood and they said ‘We’re sorry, we’re all out. But you know who comes in here all the time? Robert Rodriguez, and you guys are all into Sin City. I guess between him and Quentin they were all gone. But I ended up being able to have a copy.”
On her onscreen sort-of-love triangle with Clive Owen and Benicio Del Toro:
Brittany Murphy: “Dreamy, huh? We were actually our first day on the set, we were shooting with Benicio, and oh my! Benicio and Clive were the only actors in the room with me when I was there.. Any girl–or any boy–would be thrilled…As an actor, it was really a non-challenge! No, their characters are wonderful. It was a pleasure as an actor to work with Clive and Benicio. They’re both equally as strong, but very different in their own rights, obviously. They’re both brilliant actors and I learned a great deal from both of them, and you know to be caught in a semi-love triangle between the two of them was definitely just fun. I mean, who wouldn’t work with those two actors and they’re good guys and they’re gentlemen in their own way. They’re so very different again. I hate to lump them into one category.”
On the ultra-sexy-but-lethal ladies populating Old Town:
Brittany Murphy: “This man knows how to shoot women stunningly and beautifully, and light them in a way that their bodies look unique and you can’t see any of the parts that no one wants you to see. [laughs] But those parts don’t exist on me, of course, or any of the ladies in the picture, in all of Sin City. Kidding!”
(Story continues below…)
On learning tricks to take home on how to make the best use of her character’s sexy costume:
Brittany Murphy: “I try to be a sponge in every environment and learn everything that I can, but I will say this: the costumer designer is so detail-oriented and extraordinary. Robert has assimilated an entire environment around him of people that are so creative and detail-oriented and very meticulous, and she is one of them. Kind-hearted, family oriented and brilliant. I felt very fortunate to be a part of this picture, and I love the clothes. They were great. I almost wore my own panties. Wait–Did I? Yes, I did.”
On why the film is above criticism for its portrayal of violence against women, and the fact that most of the female characters are streetwalkers or strippers:
Brittany Murphy: “If you look at the undertones of Frank Miller‘s writing, there’s a balance to everything. If you’re a true fan of his work in his graphic novels, there’s actually a great balance to his work, and there’re also subtle moments with Marv and Carla Gugino‘s character, with crying and saying ‘Sometimes women just need to get it out.’ And they get over it and she says I need a cigarette. I loved that part. I loved that part specifically because I find it true, and I’m proud to be a woman. Femininity is one of my greatest strengths and assets…And the fact that they all quite literally, if you look in the writing, allude to getting their private parts chopped off. Almost every man in the picture does. It sort of evens out.”
On having Miller, the writer-artist of the original comic books, as co-director:
Brittany Murphy: “It was like having a historian there all the time. It was extraordinary.”
Robert Rodriguez commentary: “A Sin City historian. He would show up and tell you everything about your character that you could ever want. ‘Well, when she was born…'”
Brittany Murphy: “And how she stood and what she wore.”
Robert Rodriguez commentary: “One day I was saying something to you, then Frank said something, and then Quentin came in and said ‘Hey, by the way, I really wanted to get in on that, this whole working with you.’ And you said ‘Oh my God! There’s THREE of ’em!'”
Brittany Murphy: I’m so fortunate. On my first day, I had three directors. Robert Rodriguez, Frank Miller and Quentin Tarantino. And there were certain shots–because that wasn’t planned–that I remember you guys saying ‘That’s too Quentin. That was a little too Quentin.'”
Robert Rodriguez commentary: “[Quentin] LOVED Brittany. He said ‘I’m going to have a little Brittany Murphy Film Festival after this.’ He’s like ‘Brittany’s terrific! I’m going to try to weasel my way into tomorrow’s work.'”
Brittany Murphy: “I actually had no idea about that until Robert said it. I wasn’t fishing for that sort of response! I was a bit embarrassed to hear that. I just thought he was having fun with Frank, because he’s such a comic book fan.”
On taking another shift at Kadee’s Club Pecos for a sequel:
Brittany Murphy: “I would be honored. In a New York millisecond.”
On whether she owns any original Frank Miller artwork:
Brittany Murphy: “Yes. They’re above my mantle in my living room right now. I’m a die-hard fan.”
