{"id":2595,"date":"2021-06-05T22:09:15","date_gmt":"2021-06-06T02:09:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cinemadailyus.com\/?p=2595"},"modified":"2021-06-05T23:17:21","modified_gmt":"2021-06-06T03:17:21","slug":"interview-with-actress-millicent-simmonds-on-a-quiet-place-part-ii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cinemadailyus.com\/?p=2595","title":{"rendered":"Interview with Actress Millicent Simmonds on ‘A Quiet Place Part II”"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the best decisions director\/writer John Krasinski made\u00a0was in casting Millicent\u00a0Simmonds as a lead in the sequel. Casting a hearing\u00a0impaired actor made brilliant sense in that she could give her family\u00a0a leg up having caused\u00a0 them to silently communicate already.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That helps them handle a more silent world. Their skills at connecting through American sign language, lends plausibility to their ability to survive the invaders\u2019 onslaught. By giving the Abbotts this advantage, it also placed in their hands the\u00a0device that proves to be an effective weapon against the marauding\u00a0creatures.<\/p>\n

Born March 6, 2003, Simmonds has starred in 2017 drama Wonderstruck\u00a0<\/strong>and A Quiet Place<\/strong>\u00a0won her nomination for several awards for best\u00a0youth\u00a0performance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Interview with Actress Millicent Simmonds on ‘A Quiet Place Part II.’<\/strong><\/p>\n

Q: Your character has an even bigger role to play this time. How did\u00a0you feel about that and was it challenging for you?<\/p>\n

MS: Yes, it was very different. It was a big challenge especially from\u00a0the first movie to this one. Now, Regan is dealing with the loss of\u00a0her father and how it affects her and her family relationships. The\u00a0dynamics are changing. She’s very depressed. She now has to go out and\u00a0face the world and do what she thinks is the right thing to do. She\u00a0asks herself what she thinks her father would do in that situation.\u00a0It’s a very emotional time for her in the Quiet Place, Part II.<\/p>\n

Q: Are you as brave as your character?<\/p>\n

MS: I actually bring Regan with me everywhere I go now. In some\u00a0situations I go, \u201cMy gosh, what would Regan do in this situation?” If\u00a0I think something is a big deal, I would think, \u201cWell, Regan wouldn’t\u00a0see this as a big deal, so what’s your problem? Just get through it\u00a0and move on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Q: When you talked about making the first film, you said you did some\u00a0bonding with John, Emily and Noah having dinner together. What was it\u00a0like to come back to a set this time? Did you see them outside of the\u00a0movie set?<\/p>\n

MS: After Part One, we were so sad to leave each other. We were\u00a0together every day and so used to seeing each other every day; it was\u00a0so intimate. So after that, leaving was hard, but we did keep in\u00a0touch. All of us did and anytime we were in the same area, we would\u00a0take the time to have dinner together to make sure we saw each other.\u00a0When we found out we were working on A Quiet Place Part II, I was so\u00a0excited because I really missed them. It was great to come back\u00a0together.<\/p>\n

Q: What was it like working with John and Emily this time around? They\u00a0have such great chemistry, not only here on the set but also in real\u00a0life as well.<\/p>\n

MS: I agree that John and Emily have a great chemistry, not just on\u00a0film but in real life. Actually, in real life, they shine more. They\u00a0are co-collaborators. I think my experience this time around, what was\u00a0different between the first and second film is that we actually got to\u00a0travel to new locations. So we were together a lot during our travels.\u00a0We got to share that experience. We scouted locations together, too,\u00a0“What do you think? Is this one going to work? Is this one not?” And\u00a0they were so great. Also, John has this amazing vision and a fabulous\u00a0sense of humor \u2014 a lot from Emily \u2014 so it just made the whole\u00a0experience perfect.<\/p>\n

Q: Your character grew significantly from the first film. How much did\u00a0you consciously prepare for your role in this sequel?<\/p>\n

MS: I really didn’t do a lot of prep work. I knew that this one would\u00a0be more action-oriented, so I worked out more than I normally do to\u00a0prepare myself, which helped. I wanted to make sure that I was\u00a0physically healthy. I made sure I rested enough, took care of myself,\u00a0ate well, and slept enough. For the mental part of it, when we worked\u00a0many days in a row, I just really had to watch that my health was good
\nand that I took care of myself. It really helped that I’m young!<\/p>\n

Q: Would you like to be seen as a role model for new generations?<\/p>\n

MS: It is unbelievable for me to be here. I really never had someone\u00a0to look up to like me, a deaf person, when I was growing up. You don’t\u00a0often have that chance so it’s a big honor to be a part of, not only\u00a0the deaf community, but to represent [it as well]. To do it in a right\u00a0way and educate society about what’s possible, to be part of this\u00a0generation [is a great honor and opportunity].<\/p>\n

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Q: Have you ever seen cases on social networks of children being\u00a0bullied because they\u2019re deaf? You’re successful so what do you suggest\u00a0or be your advice to them?<\/p>\n

MS: It’s important to educate everyone about our perspectives in life.\u00a0We have different perspectives and live different lives. It’s\u00a0important that you understand that. I think it’s important that we\u00a0start to get industry support for what we do. That’s why I also want\u00a0to encourage more writers, directors, and producers to be more open to\u00a0including people from the deaf community. Not only the deaf community,\u00a0but the greater disabled community as well. I think seeing other\u00a0stories and listening to what other communities have to say will just\u00a0make the world a better place. Whether it’s through TV or film, I\u00a0think this is a way to educate more people about different ways to\u00a0live. And, I think the important thing is just being nice.<\/p>\n

Q: John said that your mother got very emotional when she saw the\u00a0movie, especially in the scenes with the envelope, because she\u2019s more\u00a0aware of your perspective. Do you think that doing this helped in your\u00a0relationship with your mom?<\/p>\n

MS: I think, yes. First I’m going to say my mother did cry when she\u00a0saw the movie. It was emotional for her to see it. It’s so visually\u00a0powerful, right? In the past I would tell her what my experience was.\u00a0But Regan can’t see what’s behind her, and you see how terrifying\u00a0those moments are in the film. It just offered an opportunity for her\u00a0to understand how I feel or what my experience is; we’re closer than
\never.<\/p>\n

Q: And what about collaboration with Cillian Murphy? You two play\u00a0significant roles in the film and do quite a bit of bonding. How did\u00a0you prepare for each other?<\/p>\n

MS: When I met Cillian, he looked like a homeless guy, right? I was\u00a0like, \u201dWow, who are you\u201d? When we were working together, I recognized\u00a0that our acting process is very similar. That really helped us move\u00a0quickly through our scenes, to find those moments. He’s a very chill\u00a0person, very down-to-earth, and he always made me feel down-to-earth.\u00a0His acting\u2026\u00a0 It’s great, so it really affected me as an actor, too.<\/p>\n

Q: There are some people around 15 or 18, who don’t know what they\u00a0want to be in their life. Did you ever think that you\u2019d choose your\u00a0career so early? Do you want to be an actress forever?<\/p>\n

MS: I’m going to keep acting. As long as I keep getting opportunities,\u00a0I’m going to pursue them. I’m very open to writing, producing,\u00a0directing, taking any other roles, and maybe more behind-the-camera\u00a0roles. That would be an interesting experience for me to pursue.<\/p>\n

For people who have no idea what they want to do in their future, I\u00a0think they should find something that makes you happy and whatever\u00a0that is, that will gratify you. I\u2019m doing well, I feel good about\u00a0myself and think that’s the most important thing \u2014 to appreciate what\u00a0you have.<\/p>\n

Q: What makes you happy?<\/p>\n

MS: Oh my gosh. So many things. Hanging out with my family, Food, of\u00a0course. Traveling, reading books, riding my motorcycle with my dad.\u00a0Looking at old cars.<\/p>\n

Q: The film is a lot about empathy and extending your hand to others.\u00a0Do you feel that that’s lacking nowadays?<\/p>\n

MS: Yes, I do. I guess what I want people to take away from this film\u00a0is that whatever situation you’re in, find confidence in yourself to\u00a0move on. I think that my character Regan in Part II\u2026 Because Regan\u00a0loses her father and, after that loss, she has to do what she think\u00a0is right. That brings Regan joy, to do what’s right. Because she has\u00a0to deal with all the regrets she has with the leftover mess from her\u00a0father. Right?<\/p>\n

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Q: How was your relationship with Noah? What do you think of people\u00a0who are saying on social networks that you two look very cute\u00a0together, like a real brother or sister. How was your relationship\u00a0with him\uff1f<\/p>\n

MS: I didn\u2019t know people who thought we really looked like brother and\u00a0sister. But we’re the children in the movie and it’s rare for us to be\u00a0in Hollywood so young. We quickly became close. We had so much in\u00a0common even though we live in different countries. Noah was very eager\u00a0to learn sign language and we wanted to know each other. We were very\u00a0curious about each other and became friends, instant friends. Now he\u2019s\u00a0one of my best friends.<\/p>\n

Q: There are a lot of people who say there should be a sequel or a\u00a0prequel. Would you like more stories, like a franchise?<\/p>\n

MS: It’d be very interesting to see what would come from this story. I\u00a0always wonder what’s going to happen next for this family. I love\u00a0Emily, John, Noah and Cillian and Djimon who are now on board. I just\u00a0want to see what would happen with their lives. With John’s creative\u00a0vision, I just think, I don’t know. We’ve proven, now, that we could\u00a0do a second one. Could we do more? Who knows?<\/p>\n

Q: Regan is the one who thinks there are people worth saving even if\u00a0sometimes it doesn’t look like it. Is that something you wanted to put\u00a0out there in the world, that you always can lend a hand?<\/p>\n

MS: That’s very important, 100%. I personally believe that there is no\u00a0such thing as a bad guy or a good guy. We\u2019re all humans who sometimes\u00a0happen to do bad things, but you’re not a bad person. We just need to\u00a0understand each other more, and need more education, more respect for\u00a0each other. Also we need some boundaries, just to respect others. It’s\u00a0very important.<\/p>\n

Q: What\u2019s your perspective on working for several years as an actor?\u00a0What do you think is lacking in the film industry right now?<\/p>\n

MS: That’s a good question. I think that we need to be working on,\u00a0like what you said earlier, about the bullying incidents. If people\u00a0are bullied, I think that we need to be more open minded. That would\u00a0be one way to address it.<\/p>\n

Actually, putting more effort in getting people’s stories out there,\u00a0making it right and authentic, really representing cultures,\u00a0languages, communities in the right way \u2014 that’s part of being real\u00a0and being respectful of each other. I do see things changing already.\u00a0Don’t you?<\/p>\n

Q: As far as hiring female directors, it\u2019s slowly changing.<\/p>\n

MS: There you have it. See, 100%.<\/p>\n

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Q: You were required to do a lot of physical action, What was the\u00a0toughest scene you shot for this film?<\/p>\n

MS: The scenes that required both emotional and physical energy, the\u00a0stunt work were the toughest. I mean, of course in real life, I don’t\u00a0want to get hurt. Right? And I had a stunt double there, always, who\u00a0would show me the safest techniques for doing the stunt. So I could\u00a0make sure I did it safe and the stunt double would always tell me what\u00a0to be aware of. And also John always made sure that everything was\u00a0safe on set and if everyone was comfortable before we went ahead with\u00a0the shoot. So, yeah.<\/p>\n

Q: Regan is forced to go out in the world, do things, and learn to be\u00a0more mature. Do you think you’re at the point that you have to go out\u00a0in the world and grow up as well?<\/p>\n

MS: I’m still living with my parents, but I do agree with you 100%.\u00a0After the loss of her dad, Regan\u2019s pushed out of her comfort zone. She\u00a0now has to leave her family. She’s trying to think outside of herself,\u00a0“What can I do for others?” In my real life, I’m not there yet. Oh,\u00a0Regan would love to travel. I mean, she’s on this journey, so it’s\u00a0very different for sure.<\/p>\n

Q: Do you live here in New York?<\/p>\n

MS: No, I live in Utah. I was born and raised in Utah. It’s not a\u00a0common place for a Hollywood actress to be living in, for people to\u00a0say they’re from, I guess.<\/p>\n

Q: Are you planning to move elsewhere to pursue your career?<\/p>\n

MS: I’m still trying to figure out who I am. And I want to travel, and\u00a0at some point, move out of Utah and see somewhere else, gain new\u00a0experiences in life and see how that goes.<\/p>\n

Here’s the Trailer of the film.<\/p>\n