Eva Green speaks on the eve of the BAFTA awards

The lovely Eva Green will need no introduction to any Bond fan - she's an instrumental and unforgettable part of the Bond juggernaut that is Casino Royale. Her performance as Vesper Lynd has shot her to stardom, garnering her a nomination for the Orange Rising Star Award at this year's BAFTAs, while she's already onto another hefty series of films, the His Dark Materials trilogy. Empire Magazine caught up with Eva during her time in Beijing to discuss awards, Bond, The Golden Compass and the future...

Congratulations on your nomination for the Orange Rising Star Award. How's that feel?
So exciting! I really am thrilled to be nominated for this one. It's incredible to be nominated for a BAFTA - I'm French, after all!! I moved here last year so this really is the best welcome!

You're in good company, have you seen the work of the other nominees?
Yes - wonderful company. I am very honoured to be among such a high calibre. I really liked Emily Blunt in My Summer of Love, especially.

We know you're generally not one for the spotlight, so what's your opinion of awards in general?
I think it's very important to recognize talent in all facets of filmmaking. Making a movie is such a lengthy and intense experience, so it's wonderful to honour actors, directors, producers and all crew members who put so much hard work and passion into a project. It's true that I'm not competitive and that I am rather shy, but I'm also rather proud of being nominated for this!

It's also voted for by the public - the people who have paid to see your work. Is there a comfort in that?
Yes, I'm really pleased that the public vote, because if they have enjoyed my work and vote for me then I am extremely honoured. However, I don't think many people know me in England, so I don't expect to get many votes!

You’re also a musician – which instruments do you play?
I play the piano. I bought an upright piano that is actually electric so I can practice my scales with headphones on and not make my neighbours' lives hell!

The Orange Rising Star recognises a body of work, but you're certainly in the public’s consciousness at the moment for Vespa – was there ever a time when you were worried about taking that role?
Initially, when I heard that they were interested, I was a little cautious. I had not read the script and the words "Bond Girl" were swimming in my conscience. My first role was with Bertolucci and I'm inclined towards independent movies, so I worried about the stigma of the female role in a Bond movie, and thought that I would just be pouting and wearing a bikini. However, when I read the script, I fell in love with the role and also the way that Bond was portrayed. I saw a whole new Bond, and a role that was simply magnificent. So many layers - a character that had a strong facade but that was very vulnerable at the same time.

For our money, you’re the best Bond girl yet – was it all there on the page when you started, or did you have to work on bringing out a lot of the strength and intelligence that we see in Vespa onscreen?
It was a really well-written role on the page. I worked a lot with Lindy Hemming (the costume designer) to make her feminine but strong. I really didn't want the character to be just one big cleavage and so we worked on finding sharply tailored suits. I wanted to make her like Ingrid Bergman in the 1940's - strong and witty but also fragile and warm. Vesper Lynd was the first female role that Ian Fleming ever wrote so it was a great responsibility to make her fabulous - I just hope I pulled it off!

And you’ve since chosen a role in what is set to be another huge film, The Golden Compass – what attracted you to playing Serafina?
I read the Philip Pullman trilogy and really liked the role – she's strong and hundreds of years old. She is a witch who is a guide, philosopher and friend to Lyra. It is quite a mysterious role which I found attractive.

Obviously without giving too much away, what are some of the choices you've made so far in bringing the character to life?
I wanted to make her sound quite other worldly and yet from another age. I worked with my voice coach, Roisin Carty to create a sort of medieval Scandinavian drawl.

Do you have any other roles lined up?
I'm superstitious so will be jinxed if I mention anything - and am touching wood right now!

And finally, we've noticed that you’ve studied as a theatre director. Do you have any plans to step behind the camera in the future?
I feel that I'm still very young and so need to acquire a lot more confidence. When I do and learn more, then perhaps I will be able, but for the moment I am going to stick to being in front of the camera as I have to prove more there.

Discuss this news here...