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Compiled by: Jack Foley
Q. What were your expectations for the original film? And
how has the success of the original and these two films manifested
itself to you in everyday life, in terms of fans and things like
that?
A. I think when we were working on the first film, in particular,
we got some sense of the material, of what it was going to look
like, the attention to detail from the directors, it was very
heavily storyboarded, and so after a while it became clear that
it was something very special. But I guess, having said that,
you can't project too far into the future, you can't know the
outcome of what you're going to do. But I think we were aware
that it was special.
Q. Ewan McGregor recently said that working on Star Wars was
an honour, but sometimes quite dull because it involved working
with a blue screen. Is that something you could relate to working
on The Matrix?
A. I think working on The Matrix was probably a very different
experience. With Star Wars they were always working with blue
screen, but we were always working on sets. Having said that,
there are elements in each scene where you transfer to a blue
screen effect, but you always had an understanding of the physical
world around you, and there was always the actor opposite you.
There is an element of blue screen in this film, but by and large
what you're seeing are the guys in front of you.
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Q. On set, did you feel the pressure of having to live up
to the original film?
A. Well, it wasn't a matter of trying to better the first
film, but to continue the story. The story was never meant to
be completed in one film, but in three, and that was our focus.
And it was great to get back together again. You know, it wasn't
even like we were starring in a new film, because we all knew
each other. So actually, that took a lot of the pressure off.
Q. What was it like seeing a 100 of you on screen - and did
you just pick up the one pay cheque?
A. Yes, unfortunately, just the one pay cheque! But I thought
the idea of it was very funny. Then, when I first started to see
dummies of myself, as Smith, and all these other people dressed
up like Smith as well, it was bizarre. But I guess after a while
I just got used to seeing all these Smiths and I wasn't Smith
anymore. My experience of it, actually, was working a lot with
other people. It wasn't really until I saw the final film put
together, and saw that scene, that I had a good laugh.
Q. What are the key issues of the trilogy?
A. Is choice an illusion? How free are we?
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