MEDIA > ARTICLES & INTERVIEWS > 2004

INTERVIEW: DAKOTA FANNING FROM MAN ON FIRE
from Cinema Confidential, April 22, 2004
by Thomas Chau in New York City
“A long-haired Chihuahua!” Dakota Fanning exclaims, without hesitation I might add, as she is asked what kind dog she would like to get someday. The young actress smiles widely and as she does so, her smile becomes even more precious as one notices her two front teeth missing.
Your typical 10-year-old kid? Try again.
Dakota Fanning has already accomplished more than what most actors in Hollywood do during their entire lifespan. She has won the hearts of audiences of all ranges, from her first major role in “I Am Sam” opposite Sean Penn and Michelle Pfeiffer, to the cute blonde girl with pigtails in Mike Myers’ “The Cat in the Hat.” She is more than just a pretty face, however; her talent has been recognized through her nomination for a Screen Actors Guild award and also taking home the Broadcast Film Critics Award.
Not too shabby for somebody who still finds the time to play with dolls with her little sister. She next stars opposite Denzel Washington in “Man on Fire,” to which she plays Pita, the daughter of a wealthy couple living in Mexico City. In the Tony Scott directed film, the couple hires an ex-Marine named Creasy (Washington) in order to protect their daughter from any possible kidnapping attempts. As Pita and Creasy become increasingly close, a special bond forms between them and Creasy’s life is forever changed. But a tragedy takes a turn for the worst, and it is up to Creasy to take matters into his own hands in order to fight for a little girl that has shown him a whole new way to look at life.
Below is what Dakota had to say about, well, kid stuff…
Q: How was working with Denzel? What was the coolest thing about him?
DAKOTA: Working with him, I loved every minute of it. I couldn’t wait to see him everyday. He’s one of the best actors in the world and I loved observing him.
Q: He told us he played ping pong with you but he never let you win. How was it?
DAKOTA:FUUUNNNNN! He beat me every time.
Q: Every time?
DAKOTA: Every time.
Q: Did your mom let you see the final version of the movie?
DAKOTA:Yeah I did see it. I was there when I saw them film some of those things, but not many of them. I knew how they were going to do it and everything.
Q: Did the violence scare you at all? Was it too much?
DAKOTA: No, not at all. I knew it was a movie and I knew all the actors in those scenes so it was fine.
Q: You’re always cast as the pretentious, know-it-all kid. Are you like that at all?
DAKOTA: I don’t really think of myself as that. I love acting and all the parts that I’ve played are wonderful characters.
Q: How similar are you to your character of Pita?
DAKOTA: I’m very similar! I was thinking the other day that I would do the same thing if I were in the same situation. I love to talk and get to know people so I’m very much like my character.
Q: Your character has a crush on Denzel. Do you have a crush on anyone?
DAKOTA: When I went to school, I had this boy named Matt. He was very nice. He was cute but then he got a bowl haircut. *gasps* I was horrified!
Q: Is there a famous person you think is real cute?
DAKOTA: I think Orlando Bloom is cute. I met him at an awards show. I was actually nominated and I won that one. When I went up on stage, they didn’t have a step for me to step on at the Critics’ Choice Awards so he had to hold me up. He held me for a LONG, LONG time! (Laughs)
Q: What’s the best part about being an actress?
DAKOTA: I love going to locations. I got to go to Mexico City for five months. I love meeting all the actors and directors and everything.
Q: Your character loves her stuffed bear. Do you have a favorite stuffed animal?
DAKOTA: I have a Golden Retriever named Goldie and a baby one named Kate. Like Goldie Hawn and Kate Hudson!
Q: What do you do for fun?
DAKOTA: I play with my sister all the time. We play dolls and everything like that.
Q: What’s your favorite doll?
DAKOTA: My favorite doll? I got it for Christmas. It’s like a real one. It’s got soft skin and the hair and has skin peeling off. So that’s my new favorite one.
Q: What’s your favorite school subject?
DAKOTA: History.
Q: What’s your favorite movie?
DAKOTA: I have so many favorite movies but my favorite movies that I recently saw were “Gone with the Wind,” “Titanic,” and “Steel Magnolias.”
Q: What’s your favorite kind of food?
DAKOTA: I like Panda Express! You can’t get it in New York. You can only get it in New Jersey. And I also like Del Taco.
Q: How do your friends react when they see you in big movies like “The Cat in the Hat”?
DAKOTA: They can’t wait to see all the movies.
Q: Do they look at you like a celebrity or a normal 10-year-old kid?
DAKOTA: Yeah, just a normal friend. They have so much fun watching the movies.
Q: They don’t ever get jealous?
DAKOTA: No, no. Not that I know of! (Laughs)
Q: What kinds of movies do you want to do in the future?
DAKOTA: I’ve been very lucky enough to do all kinds of movies. All the movies that I’ve done have been very different and all the characters I’ve done have been very different. I feel very lucky to have been able to do the movies that I’ve done.
Q: Do you still get star struck?
DAKOTA: Not really “star” star struck but you just can’t believe you’re actually meeting this person that you see all the time. Denzel and I were in a car for a lot of scenes in the movie and I kept thinking, “Oh my God, I’m in a car with Denzel Washington!”
Q: If you could have a superhero power, what would you want to have?
DAKOTA: What I would do is make a dog appear whenever I wanted because my mom doesn’t like dogs. Well, she likes dogs but she doesn’t want me to get one yet.
Q: Out of “Star Wars,” “Lord of the Rings,” and “The Matrix,” what’s your favorite movie franchise?
DAKOTA: (embarrassed) I haven’t seen those! I saw a little of “Star Wars.” I like the robots. But they’re all out of order! It’s too complicated. I don’t know but I can’t get the order straight and everything!
"Man on Fire" opens in theaters this Friday and is currently playing in limited release in New York City and Los Angeles.

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