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Exclusive: Kristen Bell's First Interview Since Becoming a Hero!
Kristen Bell by John Russo/NBC
Sticks and stones will break my bones, but damn, it's the words that really bruise my ego. "Pathetic." "Loser." "Lazy Susan." You guys have been especially merciless since Variety beat me to the scoop that my BFF Kristen Bell had signed on to put the super in Heroes this fall. Lucky for you, I don't hold a grudge — not for long, anyway. So put away your thesauri, people, because you're going to want to give your full attention to this, the actress formerly known as Veronica Mars' first interview on her big new gig. In an exclusive Q&A with yours truly, she dances around the subject of her mysterious character, explains why she turned down an offer from Lost, and takes a stand on the subject of a VM movie. But don't take my word for it. (As if, given your current disposition, you even would.) Read on, and get all the dish straight from our favorite ingenue's mouth.
Congrats on the Heroes gig! Is this some kind of evil plot of yours to send fanboys over the edge?
Kristen Bell: Absolutely. It is all part of my plan for world domination — and by "world," I mean Fanboy World.
How did the gig come about? It's no secret that you've been fielding many offers, including from Lost.
Bell: Obviously, I was in an extremely lucky position. I've kind of felt like I've been on a sugar high the last couple of weeks. Having any of those options… it still feels surreal. How do you make the decision between [Lost and Heroes]? Basically, being able to stay in [Los Angeles] was a little bit of a factor for me [in terms of turning down Lost]. But I was honored to even be considered by Lost. I really, really was, because I love that show. But I have social relationships with a lot of the people who work on Heroes, through so many random connections. It was sort of funny that so many of my friends had been working on this show. I spent a lot of time with a few of them at Comic-Con. I was actually sitting on the train [back from San Diego] with Zachary Quinto and Masi Oka, and some of the writers were on the train and they were like, "Hey, if you ever want to come on Heroes, give us a call!" And I sort of joked back, "I'd love that!" Later on I said to Zach, "Hey, if they were serious, I would love to work with you guys." And somehow, somebody made it happen.
Wait a second — you ride the train?!
Bell: [Laughs] Yeah, coming back from Comic-Con; none of us drove because the traffic was so bad. So we just took the three-hour train ride back.
Weren't you mobbed by fans?
Bell: No way! Are you kidding me? No one recognizes me.
Seriously?
Bell: I'm dead serious. It's rare.
Was part of the appeal of doing Heroes the fact that it's a limited gig, thus allowing you to keep your career options open?
Bell: That's certainly not a bad point. I am kind of in the luckiest position possible, because they're allowing me to leave it open-ended. So, yeah, that was extremely appealing. Also, everyone I know who is involved in Heroes has had nothing but excellent things to say about what it's like to work there or for Tim Kring and Co. I received a phone call before I even knew that the deal was done from Tim and a few of his partners in crime and — I should probably keep this confidential but — it might've been the nicest phone call I've ever gotten. I think there was almost a point where I fell out of my chair.
How many episodes are you committed for?
Bell: I think I'm doing 13 as of now.
Is it possible that could be extended?
Bell: I don't know. Technically, I'm on for the first half of the season, but who knows?
Would you be open to sticking around longer?
Bell: I think I might be. I'm kind of excited to go into this family, because doing a new show always feels a little like switching schools; it's exciting but it's also really nerve-racking. But this feels like I'm transferring to a school that all of my friends already go to.
Will this interfere in any way with your voice-over duties on Gossip Girl?
Bell: They are both willing to work around each other, so I'll be very busy this fall.
Anything you can tell me about your character Elle that wasn't in the press release? [We know that Elle has ties to the supposed death of Peter, H.R.G.'s past and Claire's future.]
Bell: I know a a lot. I think I know everything. But I think the only things that are allowed to be [out there] are what was in the press release. It's going to be a really, really fun character — that much I can tell you.
There's buzz that you might be the show's new baddie since Zachary will be taking off to do Star Trek.
Bell: That is a possibility. It's going to be fun for me to see where she goes. I kind of hope so. It would be really nice to play the bad guy.
Do you have a power?
Bell: Yeah, I do. I have a really awesome power.
I love it! One rumor making the rounds is that you may be considering a trip back to Broadway in the spring — specifically as the new lead in Legally Blonde. You were even photographed backstage with that show's star, Laura Bell Bundy.
Bell: Well, believe it or not, I wasn't scouting. I adore Laura Bell Bundy, and I went to go see her because she's a dear friend. I would love to go back to Broadway. The circumstances would all have to be right and the stars would have to align. I'm not saying no or yes to anything, because going back to Broadway is definitely a dream that I know I will accomplish in the very near future.
But nothing definite with Legally Blonde?
Bell: No, nothing definite. I have a good relationship with one of the producers, Kristin Caskey, so maybe people read into that. But at this point in time, I'm way too lucky not to leave all of my options open.
Did they actually approach you?
Bell: Kristin and I have discussed how the character is sort of similar to me, but Laura has been attached from the beginning and is so unbelievable in the role. But who knows? I think maybe there's a possibility in the spring.
Are you still, like me, mourning Veronica Mars?
Bell: I'm definitely still in mourning. I miss the character, I miss the people, I miss the consistency of that family. Lots of mass e-mails is how we're all dealing with it. We're all still in touch. Everyone is moving on up and doing great things, but we're all still communicating. I just had lunch with Dan Etheridge, who was sort of our physical producer [down in San Diego]. Everyone's really sad.
Rob Thomas told me he'd like to do a Veronica Mars feature film at some point. Any interest on your part?
Bell: Oh, absolutely. I'd do anything Rob asked me. I think we'd all love to work together again.
Have you spoken to Rob about it?
Bell: Not as far as locking down dates or anything, but before we left we were like, "OK, I guess our only option now to keep it alive is somebody's got to write a feature!" We definitely all agreed that we would want to be involved in it.
Check out tomorrow's Ask Ausiello to read Kristen's surprising thoughts on Veronica Mars' series finale. (C'mon, did you really think I wasn't going to save something for AA? If so, you don't know me at all.) In the meantime, did Kristen tell you everything you wanted to hear and more? Speak now in the comments section below, or forever, um, don't!
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Aug 20, 2007 10:12 PM
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Awesome Q&A, buddy! Let the speccing on her superpower begin!
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Aug 20, 2007 10:26 PM
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I haven't seen any of Heroes yet, so I'm hoping that by tuning in for her story line, I can jump right in, but I might just start watching this fall, as I hear only good things about the show. More importantly, I REALLY hope Legally Blonde works out for Kristen this spring! I'm going to NYC for the first time in my life in April and I am a HUGE KB & VM fan, so I would LOVE to see her up there! (If it's in NYC, now that I'm thinking of it...hope I don't sound dumb!)
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Aug 20, 2007 10:34 PM
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I saw that Kristen is in an animated movie based on my favorite book, Flatland! It's my guilty pleasure - math rules! LOL! Please ask her about 'Flatland: The Movie!'
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Aug 20, 2007 11:29 PM
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Squee!!! Can't wait. Having Veronica cancelled has certainly left me a bit sour, but having her back on weekly television is such a nice gift for me and other Veronica fans. The best part? Now the world will come to know what we've known for so long...Awesome...
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Aug 20, 2007 11:37 PM
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She is just the height of all that is adorable. I'm so happy for her, and I so hope that the VM cast gets back together for a film.
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Aug 20, 2007 11:45 PM
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Awesome interview, Mike! Can't wait to read Kristen's take on the VM finale.
I'm looking forward to seeing Kristen on Heroes this season. I'll keep my fingers crossed that she stays on for the second half of the season as well.
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Aug 20, 2007 11:50 PM
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Awesome interview!! (Though I probably would say that even if it was sucky interview cuz I'm such a KB fan I just like to hear what she has to say doesn't matter the question. :p)
I'm soooo excited for Heroes!!! I mean I was before, but even more so now!
Thank you so much for the interview Michael! You are awesome! (As is KB of course!)
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Aug 20, 2007 11:53 PM
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Now that we have Kristen, I nominate Patrick Stewart as their next hire - they haven't been afraid to hire the Trek folk.
His superpower from Extras will be fine, and I want at least one episode shot from his Point of View and with a long face-to-face with Kristen.
That's my Christmas wish!
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Aug 20, 2007 11:53 PM
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Michael, I could kiss you!!! Amazing interview and you've gotta love that KBell isn't afraid to say what we want to hear... or at least tease us about what we really want to hear!
13 Episodes is orgasmic! Please Kring, cast her for the full season.
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Aug 21, 2007 12:00 AM
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Wonderful interview Michael!! Can't wait to read her thoughts on the series finale of Veronica Mars.
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Aug 21, 2007 12:17 AM
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Great Q&A.
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Aug 21, 2007 1:06 AM
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This interview really made my day. Mostly because the KB haters are going to explode and I get enjoyment out of that. I respect Kristen's straightforwardness and I wish her all the best.
Heroes today, tomorrow the Fanboy Universe!
P.S. I recognized her at a Starbucks in Studio City but I didn't say anything to her because I was respecting her privacy.
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Aug 21, 2007 1:52 AM
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This interview really made my day. Mostly because the KB haters are going to explode and I get enjoyment out of that.
There are KB haters?! How? Why? Who? Impossible!
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Aug 21, 2007 6:46 AM
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Mike, in the eternal words of Veronica herself, "Why DO birds suddenly appear every time you are near?" Kristen Bell is a little ray of sunlight on an otherwise rainy East Coast morning. My heart jumped when I saw the words "13 as of now." I thought it was going to be a little stint, but THIS!? Who said 13 was an unlucky number?
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Aug 21, 2007 8:09 AM
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