Den of Geek: For some reason I thought you were British…
Ad content continues below
Anya Taylor-Joy:I am.
No, but that youve spent a lot of time in Argentina, for instance.
[Laughs]
Congrats on your BAFTA nomination too.
I remember at Sundance,The Witchwas a huge thing and one of those… Not just a surprise.
None of us ever expected that, and the response was just so overwhelming.
Hopefully, Robert will do more great films.
How did you hear about this part?
How were you approached about it, and did Night trust you with the full script?
I think you should check her out.
We worked well together.
I wanted to give him my emotions, and he was asking for them.
[Laughs]
What did he tell you about it before sending you the script?
So what was the audition like then?
I was instantly so drawn to Casey, and yeah, we got there together.
By the way, did you like the actress who played the younger Casey?
She was so sweet.
Ive always wondered about that because there are so many movies where they do flashbacks.
So when Im in the room, I can see exactly whats going on because Ive seen it.
I know the one!
What was it like working with James McAvoy in this movie?
At any time, did you not know what he was going to be doing?
It was fun to play around with varying degrees of how we were going to mess with each other.
I assume that Night built the room on a soundstage?
Yeah, the room is on a soundstage.
The tunnels were underneath an abandoned asylum.
Yeah, I think we did it chronologically, except we shot the ending at the beginning… Because we havent made the movie… And Im just trying to imagine whatever I can.
You know, I cant even remember.
It was crazy, but I really loved shooting the tunnels.
The camera was on a very interesting pulley system, and Im literally running as fast as I can.
So it felt good to get out of the room at that point.
Whats Night like as a director?
I know hes very specific and comes in knowing exactly what he wants, which the best directors do.
Whats that like working with him as an actor?
He demands excellence from you, which is something that I really thrive on.
Im usually like that, but when its someone like Night, you deliver, you show up.
Hopefully, you see that in the movie.
Ah, thank you, Bettys amazing!
But isnt he incredible?
What else have you been doing since finishing this?
Do you have other movies coming out this year?
I made six movies back-to-back, so I went fromThe WitchtoMorgantoSplittoBarrytoThoroughbreadtoMarrowbonewith like a day in between.
Thats crazy, but you had a chance for a break after those six movies?
I went to Argentina for the first time for two and a half weeks, it was amazing.
I also read that you might be playing Magik inThe New Mutants.
Is that something thats signed and done, or is it one of those fan things?
I would love to be a part of it.
Theres nothing confirmed yet.
No, Im not much of an internet person.
Im a pretty bad Generation Y girl.
I prefer books and notebooks still.
I dont understand it all.
I have to physically write it down.
Well, thats a nice change.
What is this movie Thoroughbread you mentioned?
Is that coming out soon?
Thats coming to Sundance, which Im very excited about.
Obviously, Sundance is such a special place for me.
I went there and my life changed.
By the time I got on the flight back home, everything was different.
Its about two girls, who used to be friends when they younger.
They both are wealthy Connecticans?
I used to live in Connecticut so I should know this.
Ill take a stab at check it out.
Its crazy, man, its crazy.
Related: M. Night Shyamalan on Finding Splits Headspace
Related: James McAvoy on Playing Multiple Roles in Split
