Pom Klementieff

Your Hollywood debut was Spike Lee’s Oldboy. Tell me how that role came about and what it was like to work with the legendary director.

Roy Lee sent me the script and introduced me to Spike Lee’s casting director, Kim Coleman, and I had an introductory meeting with her. A few months later when I was back in Paris, she emailed me to say it was time for me to audition for the role. In the meantime, I had started boxing to get ready for the audition.

I booked a trip to LA and auditioned with the casting director. I had to do a scene that wasn’t in the movie and some short fight choreography. Kim made me wait in the waiting room after all the other actors had their audition. While I was waiting, I played Tetris on my phone to calm my nerves.

I finally entered the audition room. I saw Spike and was so happy it was hard for me to not smile like a weirdo. He’s such an iconic director, and I was just happy to be meeting him. I did the scene and even had to improvise at the end of it. I was not great at fighting back then, I must be a hundred times better now. But I had including boxing as a skill on my resume because I knew Spike loved both boxing and Mike Tyson.

Spiked asked, “Do you want the part? To which I responded, “Of course I want the part!” He then said, “Show me.” So I started kicking, punching and shadow boxing. What I was doing was not great but I was pushing though it and he was yelling, “Stronger! Faster!” and I was losing my breath and becoming red in the face but nothing could stop me! He said, “Thank you,” and then asked me questions about my life and I answered everything. I was telling him pretty sad things but with a crazy smile because I was just so happy to be in front of him. It honestly must have been pretty strange and funny to watch.

The audition process was intense and unique, but Spike was so amazing to work with. He has a big heart and loves creating characters with his actors. He pushes you like a sports coach and like a father in a way. He knows how to listen, too, and is hilarious, as well. I wouldn’t be here without him. We always stay in touch.

I read that you made a lot of contributions to the development of your character in that film, even coming up with the name “Haeng-Bok.” Do you think the creative freedom you were given for this character made it a more freeing or more challenging role?

Spike wanted a Korean name for my character. I don’t speak Korean, so I looked on the Internet for an hour and a half on a website specializing in Asian names. I would send Spike a message each time I found a name that I liked. We were looking for a name that would sound nice and also have a beautiful meaning. We found “Haeng-Bok,” which means “happiness.” It’s ironic, though, because the character is clearly not happy. She lives in someone’s shadow and sacrifices herself. I guess she’s laughing through the tears. Like it is said in the movie, “Laugh, and the world laughs with you, weep, and you weep alone.”

Tell me about your most challenging role and the impact it made on you as an actress.

The audition process and and the role of Mantis was both challenging and life changing. But it was all done with excitement and love and trust, so it was challenging in a good way! James Gunn changed my life, and I’m so grateful for him. He gave me a confidence I lacked at a time where people in the industry were not that interested in me – he gave me the wings I needed. I can’t wait to shoot Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 with him and all the cast.

Audiences know you best as Mantis in the Marvel cinematic universe. What initially drew you to this role?

At that time, I was just so happy to just audition for a Marvel movie. The first “Guardians” movie was my favorite Marvel movie. I had no idea how important the role was when I auditioned for it and even when I was cast in it. I thought maybe it was just a weird character that would die half way through the movie (laughs). Then James Gunn called me and asked me if was ready to be a Guardian of the Galaxy. I was so happy but thought I misheard him. The character has such a beautiful emotional arch in the movie, and I was living her same story!