Rowan Blanchard Interview

It’s been ten years since Robert Rodriguez’s family-friendly action comedy Spy Kids hit theaters, wowing audiences with its slapstick action, loveable child actors mingling with A-listers and underlying themes of the importance of family.

Two sequels and a decade later, the franchise is getting a facelift for its latest installment, Spy Kids 4D: All the Time in the World thanks to adorable leading lady Rowan Blanchard.

The pint-sized starlet was kind enough to chat with TheCelebrityCafe.com’s Holly Coletta to dish about her competitive character, spending time with veteran Spy Kids, personal phone calls from Robert Rodriguez and an enthusiastic passion for Broadway.

She loves singing, dancing, acting and even has a passion for writing and fashion. She’s got a handful of commercials under her belt, names like Jessica Alba and Joel McHale on speed dial and has already booked post-Spy Kids projects. It’s safe to say that Hollywood should go ahead and consider putting her picture next to the phrase “triple threat” in the pop culture dictionary.

Oh, and did we mention she’s only nine?

TheCelebrityCafe.com: First of all, congrats on your starring role in Spy Kids 4D: All the Time in the World! What can you tell us about the movie and your character, Rebecca?

Rowan Blanchard: My character, Rebecca Wilson, is 10 years old and she’s extremely competitive. She has a twin brother named Cecil and they’re always in these little competitions and always wanting to beat each other. And they have a stepmother, Marissa Wilson--played by Jessica Alba--and she’s a new stepmother so she’s kind of fallen into their life and the kids don’t really like that at first. So then what they have to do is they have to learn to like her while also becoming spies and saving her.

TheCelebrityCafe.com: So would you say All the Time in the World is more of a sequel, or a sort of reboot for the franchise?

Rowan Blanchard: Well, it’s more of a whole new plot, I would say, but you are involving old characters and familiar faces like Alexa Vega, who plays Carmen Cortez and Daryl Sabara, who plays Juni Cortez. They’re both involved in the storyline as our mentors but it’s still a whole new movie. It’s a very new story line but at the same time it still involves that family fun action [like the originals].

TheCelebrityCafe.com: You’re working with some big names in the film – Jessica Alba, Joel McHale, Jeremy Piven, Robert Rodriguez . What was it like being surrounded by such famous stars?

Rowan Blanchard: It’s truly an honor because I look up to them, so it was just huge! Robert Rodriquez discovered me. I had really booked nothing, except a few commercials here and there and he was the first one to say “You know what, she’s got talent.” It’s really big for me, so I’m really happy.

And actually Joel McHale has known me ever since I was born—so when we knew he was up for the part we were really rooting for him.

TheCelebrityCafe.com: Alexa Vega and Daryl Sabara are in the movie, too. What was it like working with the original Spy Kids? Did they offer you any advice?

Rowan Blanchard: They’re so much fun! They told me all about the new gadgets and stuff, how it was working ten years ago and how it’s changed coming back. It’s just so much fun to get to know them.

Alexa Vega is almost 23, and when I heard she was shooting with us I thought she was only 16 or 17, because I had grown up watching the movies. But she’s 22 and married! (laughs)

TheCelebrityCafe.com: The trailer is so action-packed. Did you do any of your own stunts?

Rowan Blanchard: I did all of my stunts. There’s this thing called a harness, and you basically get strapped into it and it hooks you to these ropes that pull you up in the air.

There’s another thing called a belly plate where it’s basically a plate for your belly (laughs) and you lie down and they tuck you in and you fly around. It’s pretty uncomfortable but it’s fun.

TheCelebrityCafe.com: Did you have to do any training for the role?

Rowan Blanchard: I did. The first week I went to Austin to shoot and it was all about getting me into the harness. I learned how to safely punch and stuff—that was like my whole first week.

TheCelebrityCafe.com: You’ve done commercials and small roles, but Spy Kids will be your big break! What was it like hearing that you’d gotten the role?

Rowan Blanchard: Actually Robert Rodriguez personally called me to tell me that I got the role. I was speechless, shaking , basically almost crying, almost in tears because I really didn’t expect this and it’s just really amazing that I got the part.

TheCelebrityCafe.com: So did Robert Rodriguez just show up on your caller ID? How cool!

Rowan Blanchard: It did, he had an unblocked number! It said “Rodriguez” and my mom took a picture of it.

TheCelebrityCafe.com: I hear you love singing Broadway tunes – what’s your favorite show?

Rowan Blanchard: My favorite show … oh that’s a hard question, there are so many —I really like ‘My Fair Lady’ and it has one of my favorite songs. I’m like a total Broadway go-to girl. I know almost every song from practically every single show!

TheCelebrityCafe.com: So should we expect to see you on stage at some point?

Rowan Blanchard: Yes! It’s one of my main goals in life. I really want to get there. I love to do acting, singing and dancing so it would be awesome to be on there.

TheCelebrityCafe.com: What other projects to do you have coming up?

Rowan Blanchard: I have a new pilot coming out called "Little in Common" on FOX. It’s about these three families who are all neighbors and they have to learn to bond with each other through baseball.

And I have another movie coming out, which I’m going to shoot later on this year called "So B. It." It’s based on a book by Sarah Weeks. It’s about this girl, Heidi, who is struggling to deal with her mentally incapable mother who’s basically a 2-year-old stuck inside a 35-year-old’s body. So she’s learning how to deal with that and at the same time learning how to conquer her own self. It’s more of a serious role.

TheCelebrityCafe.com: You’ve accomplished so much and you’re still so young. Do you have any dream projects you’d like to do, or stars you’d love to work with?

Rowan Blanchard: I do. I would really, really like to work with Johnny Depp. I think that he‘s a truly amazing actor. I also really like Elle Fanning; I think she’s a really, really good actress. So to get to work with her would be truly amazing.

TheCelebrityCafe.com: Would you be interested in doing another Spy Kids movie?

Rowan Blanchard: I absolutely would. I loved the whole cast and crew.

Be sure to check out America's newest sweetheart when Spy Kids: All the Time in the World hits theaters August 19!