Your last glimpse of Michelle Rodriguez was probably in the third act of Avatar, when, as heroic marine pilot Trudy Chacon, she turned on her colonial military bosses and went down with her ship, fighting for the rights of the native Navi cat people. It was a typically badass finish for an actress who has garnered a reputation for both kicking much on-screen ass and almost always biting it in the end. (See her roles in Resident Evil, Fast & Furious, and BloodRayne for other examples of this now familiar formula). Whether or not the formula will be repeated in her latest film, the hard-R Mexploitation film Machete, remains to be seen. Co-directed by filmmaking tornado Robert Rodriguez and his long-time editor Ethan Maniquis, Machete is the long-delayed feature about a Mexican assassin posing as a day laborer (Danny Trejo) that was promised in one of the four fake trailers in 2007s cult hit Grindhouse. Ms. Rodriguez recently called up SuicideGirls to talk about strapping on the big guns once again and the off-screen passions that drive her.
Ryan Stewart: I hope theres a moment in this film where you get to pull up that eye patch and gross us out.
Michelle Rodriguez: [laughs] Ah, you didnt see it yet, did you? Well, no, Im sorry to have to disappoint you!
RS: From what Ive seen, the whole outfit is a little sexier than you usually go for. Was that your idea?
MR: Yeah, me and Nina, in the costume department, basically hooked up and came up with the concept of a bra ...[laughs]she took my La Perla bra, which does the boobies some justice, and put some leather over it, and then I grabbed some Genetic jeans that fit me like a glove, and I grabbed these Prada boots that I have that are like superhero boots that they dont make anymore Ive tried to get them to, but they wont and then we went over to the props department and started gearing it up. We were hooking up straps, and the next thing you know Im a cowgirl, man. All I need is my steed. You know when youre working with Robert that youre not gonna be in one of his movies and not be hot. Its just not gonna happen. He wouldnt hire you, I dont think. Unless your whole purpose was to be a mutant! Then you might still get a gig with him.
RS: Been there, done that, in Resident Evil, right?
MR: Yeah, that was a minute ago!
RS: What kind of weapons do you heft in this one? Are we talking major firepower?
MR: Dude...theres this makeshift weapon that they created, I think its like an M4. Its an AR-M4. That sucker is huge, and it was a makeshift thing by the props and weapons department. Those guys are so cool! And its uber-heavy. Ive got, like, marks on my shoulder from just holding it for like a half-hour to take photos.
RS: Did they train you on that?
MR: No, but I decided to go shooting on my own, like a dumbass, and I thought I was all cocky shooting this shotgun, and you know what? Ive had this cracking noise in my shoulder ever since. That was a bad idea.
RS: Ouch. But you grew up in Texas, right? They probably send you guns in the mail.
MR: Oh yeah, honey. Ive got that whole thing down pat. All the gun and NRA stuff is within me, for sure. I am definitely a believer in the right to carry.
RS: Do you pack?
MR: No, I dont, but I do believe in it. I have at home. And Im not allowed to carry -- you have to be either a cop or a marshal or something, to have the right to carry a weapon around. But I aint worried, honey. Nobody wants to hurt me. I havent done anything to anybody. Im chill.
RS: I interviewed Ethan Hawke once and we talked about how actors are good marksmen because they spend so much time shooting guns. Does that apply to you?
MR: Again I have to disappoint you! [laughs] Its not true for me, Im a horrible shot.
RS: So, how much of this film did Robert actually direct? Was it like a 50/50 split with Ethan Maniquis?
MR: Well, the thing is that I wasnt there long enough to make that determination. I know that he directed me in most of my scenes, but Ethan had a lot to do with the job as well. He was there and he was planning everything along with Robert it was really a collaboration between the two of them.
RS: It must have been wild to go from the biggest production of all time to this little do-it-yourself Troublemaker Studios movie.
MR: But thats the whole thing working with Robert is never a little thing, and you always consider it a blessing. He is so much fun, first of all. He may not make the hugest movies on the planet, but boy, does he make some interesting stuff, and its like, you will watch it. There are scenes in his movies that you will never forget as long as you live. I mean, Desperado? Come on. From Dusk Till Dawn? Dude, come on. I could go on forever. Sin City? That was the first time I had ever seen that texture, that kind of art, on screen before. That kind of comic book-esque thing was so awesome, so classic, that it was almost surreal. Robert always makes things look really amazing and unforgettable, really. If you want to be immortalized, you should go work with him. Its a guarantee that there will be scenes in his movies that people never forget, and along with the scenes are the actors in them. So, its a privilege. I can almost promise you that there are at least three scenes in this film that you will never forget as long as you walk this planet, if only because of the shock factor and the way things are shot. Youll be amazed by how all of these very familiar elements are used, the context that they are used in. Its pop culture-esque, but its done in an exploitative fashion, so youre like Is this pop culture, is this pulp culture, what is this culture? [laughs] You know what I mean? You cant really tag it, but its definitely shock value-enhanced.
RS: Once Robert hires you, does he pretty much leave you alone, or is he giving you notes, saying Lets try it this way, or that way
MR: Its definitely collaborative, Id say its about 65 to.whatever is left. [laugh] I suck at math. What is left, like 45?
RS: Something like that.
MR: Right, anyway, what I mean is that he is collaborative and one thing thats for certain is that when you walk onto his set you know that this man knows what he wants and is very sure of what he wants before you even come on board. Thats what I find amazing, and then he gives you that extra 45 percent at the end to kind of be open to other options, which is great. But at the end of the day a director without a vision isnt a director, to me, so I just love the fact that he knows what he wants, because it makes everything work so fast and smooth. Youre in and youre out, and the next thing you know youre sitting in the movie theater and going Whoa!
RS: You dont do a ton of movies, in general. Battle: Los Angeles is the only upcoming credit on your IMDB page. Are you just very choosy?
MR: Yeah, honey, Im really picky. I didnt really get into the business to be an actress, I got into the business to be a writer, and because of that I feel like when I act it should be something thats pleasing to me. It shouldnt be a labor. Some people become actors because they love the chameleon aspect to it, they love interchanging and taking on different lives, and I can understand that appeal, but personally, for me, I would prefer to play characters that I would respect and that I would admire, as opposed to playing any character just because its, like, an interpretation of life. Should I be open to that? No, because Im not! [laugh] I honestly just want to kick ass and take names.
RS: So if someone was about to send you Sleepless in Seattle: Part 2, dont bother?
MR: Not unless it is incredibly funny! I do like comedy, Ill flip my script for a comedy, as long as its really, really funny. I just wanna play, you know? I like to play, I like things to be light-hearted. Dont send me a script that compromises me in any way, because I wont have fun doing it. Why do you need to compromise me as a woman, or as an integrity-carrying individual? I just cant drop that for anybody, especially to millions of people around the world what am I saying to them? What is the point? What message is behind it? I understand your pain? Great. Big whoopty-doo, you know? I dont want to understand anybodys pain. I just want to share joy and revel in victory.
RS: Did Machete become a less lighthearted thing for you when it got tied into the whole immigration debate?
MR: Well, it is called Troublemaker Studios, so you know for sure that theres going to be some trouble.
RS: What did you think of Robert putting that Special Message to Arizona trailer out on Cinco de Mayo?
MR: I thought it was funny, and I thought it was neutral. At the end of the day, its just a voice. And its not just one side talking to the other side, both sides are represented in the film, so I think its fine. At the end of the day, its like, are you going to beat up the guys who make South Park? Are you going to beat up the creators of The Simpsons? Are you going to beat up the guys from SNLor Family Guy? They all make fun of current events and news and sometimes theyre incredibly controversial in their content, but nobody ever really attacks them hard core, and why? Because you can get away with that stuff when it comes to comedy -- thats the venue to do it in. The minute you start to take things seriously people will come after you with hatchets. Theyll try to destroy your career and stuff, but this isnt that kind of situation. Its just lighthearted and fun.
RS: Can you write your own funny stuff? Is that your passion?
MR: No, no. For that I have to partner with people, for sure. But Im all about networking and finding the people who are all about tomorrow, the youth, mostly. Im slowly starting to learn about whats going on out there within the community. I want to make connections with the young people and try to understand whats going on. The social networking systems like Twitter help me out a lot, and my website helps me out a lot, and slowly but surely Im going to start doing webcams. I really want to just feel what people want, and then from there Ill assess what I can provide. But I really am all about the youth, I want to see whats on their minds, and then I want to take the ideas that Ive had since I was fifteen years old and start collaborating.
RS: I heard youre off to Antarctica soon. Thats crazy.
MR: I know! Isnt it insane? But you know what? Ive had this script idea in my mind since I was a little girl, since I was about fifteen, and its about these little kids who undergo this crazy adventure. Its kind of like The Goonies meets Jumanji. Its this amazing story about these little kids who are kind of eco-warriors. The Avatar green event used the term eco-warriors, so Ive taken that name, and I really need to learn about that world. So far, all Ive done is appreciate activism from the outside, I havent really gone in on a nitty-gritty level and found out what the troubles are and what the real issues are in the world with animals, and with the planet. It all kind of started with Battle in Seattle, when I got to meet a bunch of activists and learn from them first hand: guys from Green Peace, Global Green guys, all of these sort of different experts, and I slowly started to grow fond of them. My heart goes out to them now, but I also realize that there is something blocking them from success, so what is it? Is it conscious capitalism? Do they need to adapt to the environment that we live in today? What is the issue? So, Im going to go out there, to Antarctica, on the ship, and help save some whales, and learn from a man who helped start Green Peace, Paul Watson, because I admire him. I think if theres anyone who can be a teacher its this guy whos been around since the freakin 60s. Hes been hooting, hollering, and fighting about this same subject for the last forty fucking years. Im so excited about it. I dont even care about the cold weather or anything.
RS: Jim Cameron has totally rubbed off on you.
MR: Oh yeah. Jim walks around with his heart out. Hes just that kind of guy. He could inspire anybody.
RS: We never technically saw you die in Avatar, by the way. I have a hunch your character did a last-second bailout.
MR: Dude, could you please tell him that? I would love to come back aboard.
Machete opens in theaters everywhere on September 3rd.
Ryan Stewart: I hope theres a moment in this film where you get to pull up that eye patch and gross us out.
Michelle Rodriguez: [laughs] Ah, you didnt see it yet, did you? Well, no, Im sorry to have to disappoint you!
RS: From what Ive seen, the whole outfit is a little sexier than you usually go for. Was that your idea?
MR: Yeah, me and Nina, in the costume department, basically hooked up and came up with the concept of a bra ...[laughs]she took my La Perla bra, which does the boobies some justice, and put some leather over it, and then I grabbed some Genetic jeans that fit me like a glove, and I grabbed these Prada boots that I have that are like superhero boots that they dont make anymore Ive tried to get them to, but they wont and then we went over to the props department and started gearing it up. We were hooking up straps, and the next thing you know Im a cowgirl, man. All I need is my steed. You know when youre working with Robert that youre not gonna be in one of his movies and not be hot. Its just not gonna happen. He wouldnt hire you, I dont think. Unless your whole purpose was to be a mutant! Then you might still get a gig with him.
RS: Been there, done that, in Resident Evil, right?
MR: Yeah, that was a minute ago!
RS: What kind of weapons do you heft in this one? Are we talking major firepower?
MR: Dude...theres this makeshift weapon that they created, I think its like an M4. Its an AR-M4. That sucker is huge, and it was a makeshift thing by the props and weapons department. Those guys are so cool! And its uber-heavy. Ive got, like, marks on my shoulder from just holding it for like a half-hour to take photos.
RS: Did they train you on that?
MR: No, but I decided to go shooting on my own, like a dumbass, and I thought I was all cocky shooting this shotgun, and you know what? Ive had this cracking noise in my shoulder ever since. That was a bad idea.
RS: Ouch. But you grew up in Texas, right? They probably send you guns in the mail.
MR: Oh yeah, honey. Ive got that whole thing down pat. All the gun and NRA stuff is within me, for sure. I am definitely a believer in the right to carry.
RS: Do you pack?
MR: No, I dont, but I do believe in it. I have at home. And Im not allowed to carry -- you have to be either a cop or a marshal or something, to have the right to carry a weapon around. But I aint worried, honey. Nobody wants to hurt me. I havent done anything to anybody. Im chill.
RS: I interviewed Ethan Hawke once and we talked about how actors are good marksmen because they spend so much time shooting guns. Does that apply to you?
MR: Again I have to disappoint you! [laughs] Its not true for me, Im a horrible shot.
RS: So, how much of this film did Robert actually direct? Was it like a 50/50 split with Ethan Maniquis?
MR: Well, the thing is that I wasnt there long enough to make that determination. I know that he directed me in most of my scenes, but Ethan had a lot to do with the job as well. He was there and he was planning everything along with Robert it was really a collaboration between the two of them.
RS: It must have been wild to go from the biggest production of all time to this little do-it-yourself Troublemaker Studios movie.
MR: But thats the whole thing working with Robert is never a little thing, and you always consider it a blessing. He is so much fun, first of all. He may not make the hugest movies on the planet, but boy, does he make some interesting stuff, and its like, you will watch it. There are scenes in his movies that you will never forget as long as you live. I mean, Desperado? Come on. From Dusk Till Dawn? Dude, come on. I could go on forever. Sin City? That was the first time I had ever seen that texture, that kind of art, on screen before. That kind of comic book-esque thing was so awesome, so classic, that it was almost surreal. Robert always makes things look really amazing and unforgettable, really. If you want to be immortalized, you should go work with him. Its a guarantee that there will be scenes in his movies that people never forget, and along with the scenes are the actors in them. So, its a privilege. I can almost promise you that there are at least three scenes in this film that you will never forget as long as you walk this planet, if only because of the shock factor and the way things are shot. Youll be amazed by how all of these very familiar elements are used, the context that they are used in. Its pop culture-esque, but its done in an exploitative fashion, so youre like Is this pop culture, is this pulp culture, what is this culture? [laughs] You know what I mean? You cant really tag it, but its definitely shock value-enhanced.
RS: Once Robert hires you, does he pretty much leave you alone, or is he giving you notes, saying Lets try it this way, or that way
MR: Its definitely collaborative, Id say its about 65 to.whatever is left. [laugh] I suck at math. What is left, like 45?
RS: Something like that.
MR: Right, anyway, what I mean is that he is collaborative and one thing thats for certain is that when you walk onto his set you know that this man knows what he wants and is very sure of what he wants before you even come on board. Thats what I find amazing, and then he gives you that extra 45 percent at the end to kind of be open to other options, which is great. But at the end of the day a director without a vision isnt a director, to me, so I just love the fact that he knows what he wants, because it makes everything work so fast and smooth. Youre in and youre out, and the next thing you know youre sitting in the movie theater and going Whoa!
RS: You dont do a ton of movies, in general. Battle: Los Angeles is the only upcoming credit on your IMDB page. Are you just very choosy?
MR: Yeah, honey, Im really picky. I didnt really get into the business to be an actress, I got into the business to be a writer, and because of that I feel like when I act it should be something thats pleasing to me. It shouldnt be a labor. Some people become actors because they love the chameleon aspect to it, they love interchanging and taking on different lives, and I can understand that appeal, but personally, for me, I would prefer to play characters that I would respect and that I would admire, as opposed to playing any character just because its, like, an interpretation of life. Should I be open to that? No, because Im not! [laugh] I honestly just want to kick ass and take names.
RS: So if someone was about to send you Sleepless in Seattle: Part 2, dont bother?
MR: Not unless it is incredibly funny! I do like comedy, Ill flip my script for a comedy, as long as its really, really funny. I just wanna play, you know? I like to play, I like things to be light-hearted. Dont send me a script that compromises me in any way, because I wont have fun doing it. Why do you need to compromise me as a woman, or as an integrity-carrying individual? I just cant drop that for anybody, especially to millions of people around the world what am I saying to them? What is the point? What message is behind it? I understand your pain? Great. Big whoopty-doo, you know? I dont want to understand anybodys pain. I just want to share joy and revel in victory.
RS: Did Machete become a less lighthearted thing for you when it got tied into the whole immigration debate?
MR: Well, it is called Troublemaker Studios, so you know for sure that theres going to be some trouble.
RS: What did you think of Robert putting that Special Message to Arizona trailer out on Cinco de Mayo?
MR: I thought it was funny, and I thought it was neutral. At the end of the day, its just a voice. And its not just one side talking to the other side, both sides are represented in the film, so I think its fine. At the end of the day, its like, are you going to beat up the guys who make South Park? Are you going to beat up the creators of The Simpsons? Are you going to beat up the guys from SNLor Family Guy? They all make fun of current events and news and sometimes theyre incredibly controversial in their content, but nobody ever really attacks them hard core, and why? Because you can get away with that stuff when it comes to comedy -- thats the venue to do it in. The minute you start to take things seriously people will come after you with hatchets. Theyll try to destroy your career and stuff, but this isnt that kind of situation. Its just lighthearted and fun.
RS: Can you write your own funny stuff? Is that your passion?
MR: No, no. For that I have to partner with people, for sure. But Im all about networking and finding the people who are all about tomorrow, the youth, mostly. Im slowly starting to learn about whats going on out there within the community. I want to make connections with the young people and try to understand whats going on. The social networking systems like Twitter help me out a lot, and my website helps me out a lot, and slowly but surely Im going to start doing webcams. I really want to just feel what people want, and then from there Ill assess what I can provide. But I really am all about the youth, I want to see whats on their minds, and then I want to take the ideas that Ive had since I was fifteen years old and start collaborating.
RS: I heard youre off to Antarctica soon. Thats crazy.
MR: I know! Isnt it insane? But you know what? Ive had this script idea in my mind since I was a little girl, since I was about fifteen, and its about these little kids who undergo this crazy adventure. Its kind of like The Goonies meets Jumanji. Its this amazing story about these little kids who are kind of eco-warriors. The Avatar green event used the term eco-warriors, so Ive taken that name, and I really need to learn about that world. So far, all Ive done is appreciate activism from the outside, I havent really gone in on a nitty-gritty level and found out what the troubles are and what the real issues are in the world with animals, and with the planet. It all kind of started with Battle in Seattle, when I got to meet a bunch of activists and learn from them first hand: guys from Green Peace, Global Green guys, all of these sort of different experts, and I slowly started to grow fond of them. My heart goes out to them now, but I also realize that there is something blocking them from success, so what is it? Is it conscious capitalism? Do they need to adapt to the environment that we live in today? What is the issue? So, Im going to go out there, to Antarctica, on the ship, and help save some whales, and learn from a man who helped start Green Peace, Paul Watson, because I admire him. I think if theres anyone who can be a teacher its this guy whos been around since the freakin 60s. Hes been hooting, hollering, and fighting about this same subject for the last forty fucking years. Im so excited about it. I dont even care about the cold weather or anything.
RS: Jim Cameron has totally rubbed off on you.
MR: Oh yeah. Jim walks around with his heart out. Hes just that kind of guy. He could inspire anybody.
RS: We never technically saw you die in Avatar, by the way. I have a hunch your character did a last-second bailout.
MR: Dude, could you please tell him that? I would love to come back aboard.
Machete opens in theaters everywhere on September 3rd.