Blimey, I thought, this must be the best, most hard-hitting interview Ive ever done.
Thats, um, how we do things around here.
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Without further rambling, heres the interview… No… five years later!
I had no expectation.
It was a no-brainer!
I think its the popularity of the character.
Especially on social media, like Twitter.
Um, I think people wanted to see more of her.
And so the Marvel herd did something about it!
What do you think it is about Peggy that made people want to know more about her character?
And there must be a psychological, emotional cost to being this super spy.
Shes not someone whos impenetrable.
Shes someone whos relatable and resourceful and determined, and she has mistakes, and she has flaws.
And shes becoming a bit more three dimensional, because of that.
How has that changed your approach, then?
Going from a one-film character to a longer form…
I think its just gotten richer, and a bit deeper.
So, I think that Ive developed more humour and more vulnerability in her.
Theres definitely some great humour, especially when Peggy goes undercover as well.
Was that a lot of fun?
Oh man, it wasgreat.Theyre the kind of dream moments that you love coming into work for.
Just so fun, and so silly.
But then, there are some very dark things in Peggys future.
Like the scene you filmed forThe Winter Soldier.
Was that tough for you to film?
And then the series starts to fill in the details of what she did with that time.
I could be playing her forever!
Which I wouldnt be adverse to…
Hoping that your real old face lines up to the old version fromWinter Soldier.
Well see, well find out!
Well, I think that theres a security in that.
And Im pleased that she probably fulfils everything that she wants to in life.
And how was it going into work on Caps nightmare inAvengers: Age Of Ultron?
Yeah, yeah, exactly.
Im dear friends with Chris, hes a wonderful man.
And so I feel like Ive created a Marvel family.
I might be pushing my luck here but can you tell us anything about how Peggy fits intoAnt-Man?
I would have to kill you.
Do you have the old face on, or do you have your actual face on?
Or is that a spoiler too far?
Um… [laughs], I cant tell you.
Its, I mean…
I wasnt even allowed to read the script!
So I havent even read the script ofAnt-Man, I only went in to do my little bit.
Okay, fair enough!
I think its part of a new phase for the female superhero.
And theres so many of them, too, that you’re able to just keep on going.
Theres such great talent as well, out there.
Thats what Marvels so good at casting it right.
Its a real bonus.
Its got everything really hasnt it?
The humour, a good message, and you get to kick ass as well!
You get to kick ass without being too aggressive.
Shes relatable, shes warm, shes funny…
Sounds like a girl I want to hang out with!
Did you do a lot of the ass-kicking yourself?
I did all my own stunts.
I had two stunt coordinators, who would train me, to learn the fights like a dance sequence.
Because its been so long since we filmed it.
Its nice that I finally get to share it with people.
Do you know what?
I have never… seen… a Jason Statham movie.
Dont take it personally, Jason, youre a very handsome man.
WARNING: Here comes the spoiler section.
I think shes got a lot more, before we start to delve into her romantic life.
And I think season 2 will…
I think shell get some action, its about time [laughs].
Other than some action, how much do you know about season 2 and what direction its going in?
Ive not started work on it yet, but its been written.
So its 1947, its going to be set in L.A., and I keep on thinking aboutL.A.
Confidential, that kind of film noir, which would be great.
So Jarvis and Howard will be there with us again.
Yeah, we cant have a show without those guys.
I think thats going to be an on-going thing.
And therell be a new nemesis, and a new female character, strong female characters.
Its quite nice to have that, so I hope that they reinforce that a little bit more.
Hayley Atwell, thank you very much!
With thanks toJames Hunt.
