Anne Hathaway on producing ‘Song One’

Oscar-winning actor adds ‘producer’ to her repertoire with newly released film.

LOS ANGELES: After winning an Oscar in 2013 for best supporting actress in the musical Les Miserables, Anne Hathaway is taking on a new challenge as a producer.

Song One is an independent film also starring Hathaway, as an academic who finds connection through her brother’s music after he falls into a coma. It premiered at Sundance Film Festival last year and released in US theaters on Friday.

Hathaway, 32, talked to Reuters about her first producing experience and Catwoman.

What does Song One explore through music?

Every time I say it’s about the healing power of music, I feel like I have to dodge someone throwing a tomato at me because it sounds so sincere, but it’s true.

I am someone who believes in that and ... I think this film is about second chances.

What producing challenges did you face?

The practicalities of ‘If you don’t do it, it’s probably not going to get done.’ When you’re an actor, there are so many safety nets under you. If you’re playing an astronaut and you need to speak to an astronaut, the producer goes ‘Here’s an astronaut for you to talk to.’ When you’re the producer, you’re like ‘I have to go find this.’ So this just woke me up to how really good a lot of producers I’ve worked with have been.

With more superhero movies, as you’ve already played Catwoman in the Dark Knight films, would you reprise the role?

When you play Catwoman, you accept that you’re not the only one that’s ever played her, and you’ll probably not be the last one ... it is bittersweet in that way. So, it’s your role for a while, until the next one comes along.

For me, my version of the character was so based on the idea of existing in (director) Chris Nolan’s Gotham, so I couldn’t imagine reprising it with anyone else, and I don’t think Chris has any plans to do that, so I think that’s probably the end of the ride for me. 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 24^th,  2015.

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