http://www.craveonline.com/filmtv/articles/04647217/heroes_ali_larter.html
Ali Larter plays a porn star with a alter ego on Heroes.
Posted: Wednesday, December 13th 2006 02:12 PM PST
By Fred Topel,
Ali Larter steams up any movie shes in, whether the gory Final Destinations or the girlie Legally Blond. Now we get to ogle her every week on TV. In Heroes, she plays Niki Sanders, an internet porn star with an alter ego who kills quickly and brutally. We caught up with Larter for the scoop on the new seasons biggest hit show.
Crave Online: Your storyline seems to have the most violence. Did you slip into that role more easily because youve done the Final Destination films?
Ali Larter: You know what? Im in a bit of fear and distress but if you hold on, were going to get a little romance. Well get a little bit of cheekiness in it and whats amazing about this writing is that it really pushes me and makes me kind of find actually all different tones within our show. So youre getting there. Thats just the first couple of episodes. It definitely opens up to a whole new world.
CO: Were just starting to find out about your power and the rules are still not totally clear. Whats your sense of it?
Larter: Well, for me, especially when I read the pilot I didnt actually know what direction it was going other than the fact that youve got a really complicated woman whos just trying to get by. Shes trying to be a great mother to her son and her worlds really crumbling around her. So for me, it wasnt about what kind of power she was getting or that; it was just about her dealing with her life and wondering if shes going crazy and whats happening to her. There is duality within my personality so theres one side that has to conform to societys roles and laws and the shadow side that can actually live out the dark fantasies that are repressed within all of us. And one way that I think about it is, you know, I think as actors, at least I have to rationalize how it could be. And you hear these stories of mothers who a child has been stuck under a car and theyre able to lift the car in an instant to save their child. And for me, everything is generated from the desire and the need to protect your son.
CO: We kind of joked at first that your super power is being hot. What do you think of that?
Larter: [Laughs] Thank you.
CO: Do you think beauty can be a weapon?
Larter: I think that my alter-ego definitely uses what shes got to get what she wants.
CO: Playing the sexpot on the show. How do you keep in such great shape?
Larter: I was at the gym before this interview. You know what? Its just part of life. You go to the gym. And I think that Im really actually lucky to play a very sexy, racy character and shes provocative and really fun, and part of the job is just keeping in shape for it. And, Im a runner. I get my butt out there, and for me, its almost not just for kind of the physicality of it, its an emotional release for me and it keeps me sane in a way, its getting out there and just running as fast as I can.
CO: How uncomfortable or how comfortable are you with these scenes that you had to go through?
Larter: You know what? Its always very embarrassing. I think any actor will tell you that. On the other side of it, you know, sometimes you just got to throw your hands up in the air and go with it and have fun and you make light of it and you make jokes on set. And, its just a fun character and whats great about her is that she does have these sexy scenes but on the other side, you see her dealing with her son. And whats amazing about this writing, I think, is that it found an incredible balance to show how multifaceted a character she is.
CO: Standard question, what super power would you like to have?
Larter: I would fly, I would fly, I would fly. Id love to soar. For me, I think that would the greatest way to experience freedom, and I think that would be incredible.
CO: What made you want to make the transition from movies to TV?
Larter: I think actually, I mean for me, I look for great writing. I mean, when I read this pilot that Tim wrote, its just incredible and there arent always so many great roles for women. Niki Sanders is so interesting and she challenges me and pushes me. And so, Im just thrilled to have found a character that I feel like I can really grow best.
CO: Whats been your response to this, the success of the show so far?
Larter: Well, I think its incredible. I mean, we shot this pilot and I think that as actors you just come in with great writing and everyone just does the best they can do. So when an audience responds, thats just the icing on top of it. I mean, I think that were all just thrilled that people are loving the show as much as we love working on it.
CO: Its such an ensemble, were you frustrated not to play with almost any of your other cast members in the first few episodes?
Larter: I think were all just so thrilled to get to play these amazing characters and the scripts keep coming and we keep growing with them. Theres definitely just like a synergy happening and its all kind of coming together as it should be. So thats whats exciting about it. I dont think anyones in a rush. I think its just all happening naturally and as the scripts come, it just seems that everything is having like a natural progression.
CO: Is there any sense of relief that youve made it, youre picked up now?
Larter: I think if you look at the crew, I mean whats different, I thought, is that if you see the crew, everyones just really happy and feels a sense of relief because these guys have a home, have families to support and they know that theyre going to have a job for a little while. Thats whats amazing in the show. So I mean theres that wonderful sense of relief within that too.
CO: What has it been like playing a mother and working with the young actor, Noah?
Larter: Noahs incredible. He makes my job easy. And honestly, watching his relationship with his mother has been a huge inspiration for me. Shes so open and so giving and we really discussed kind of the scenes before and hang out whenever we have a chance. And just kind of watching them, they have an incredible connection, and shes so giving of all the little stuff or things that they have between them. So me and Noah use as much as we can from, you know, to inspire us within our roles. And, you know, I think that as a woman, theres a side in all of us that really has this desire and this need to protect a child. Watching my nephews, theres definitely that side within me that would do anything to protect them. So I guess I understand that. And, you know, Ive just been around kids my whole life. So it really hasnt been a struggle for me at all. Its been a natural kind of transition and I just think its a really interesting unique relationship.
CO: Did you follow any comic books growing up?
Larter: This is all new to me. Im loving learning about all of it and all the references that all of the reporters and the speculations were coming from the draw of characters too. So for me, its really fun to learn all about it now. For me, its really more of a human drama. Theres definitely all elements within the show, but it doesnt change the way I work. I work and always come from a place of reality. So, and I think that were lucky also to have some amazing directors come in and make some shots that really can lean that way.
