Helena Bonham Carter Talks About The "Terrifying" Bellatrix Lestrange
Bonham Carter Interviews
Posted by: Stephanie_J
November 27, 2010, 03:19 PM
A new profile from the LA Times Hero Complex blog focuses on Helena Bonham Carter and her infamous portrayal of Bellatrix Lestrange in the "Harry Potter" films.
The actress talks about her career and family, but also explains how she developed Bellatrix's character for the films.
“Bellatrix has really good fun, and she’s been a bit of surprise to me, in fact,” Bonham Carter said. “It wasn’t really there on the page. When I took it on, I found there wasn’t a huge amount to go by in the script, and I read the book and she wasn’t necessarily on the page there either, so I did ask [director] David Yates if I could bring a bit of other things or are these the Bibles? And he said yes, certainly, and apparently J.K. Rowling was very pleased with it when she saw it, and the childish dimension and the fact that she’s totally savage, that was a bit of departure.”
"I just felt she had to make an impression because there wasn’t much time
in which to do so. And she had to be terrifying. She needed to be
somebody you didn’t know what to feel towards. One moment she’s horribly
revolting but then also weirdly sexy, maybe, or just disturbing to the
mind when you watch her. There’s a lot of decaying, too, with the bad
teeth. She’s been in prison for so long. The mad hair. She’s someone who
has seen better times but still carries herself with the memory of what
she was."
Bonham Carter also praises the crew working on the Harry Potter films and likens the experience to belonging to a "nice tribe."
“I love going back year after year. It’s refreshing. A lot of times in this business, it’s so transitory — it’s just 10 weeks here or there on a movie and then it’s over – but to see the same people over all that time, a decade, makes you feel really safe and secure. It was fantastically well-organized, the [assistant directors] are simply unbelievable, the best...It has been perfect for me, and I will miss it.”
More about Helena Bonham Carter and her thoughts about Bellatrix can be
read at the LA Times. The interview also has some great information about Bonham Carter's next film,
The King's Speech.
Thank you Jamie for owling!
39 Comments
1385 Points
I think dhe finnaly got it right in this last movie. It seemed believable and scary. In the earlier movies it seemed too forced and cartoon like. And though it was more crazy, it was less terrifying.
first comment? :)
1385 Points
she* finally*
637 Points
I totally agree. She got the Bellatrix character perfectly. I don’t know what I think of her; she’s my favorite character but I like when she died. She should’ve gone insane in Azkaban to the point where she was like Frank and Alice Longbottom, but since she’s not, she’s just completely sadistic, she could be one of the strongest, smartest characters in HP.
123 Points
I’ve always thought she played Bellatrix so well, and ive never really found fault in her performances. The way she is so unpredicatble, it makes such an interesting character, yet leaves you paranoid about what she’s going to do next!
cant wait to see her death scene in part 2, hope they do it justice :) :)
254 Points
yes! she’s so amazing, in everything she’s in.
5503 Points
She did the character amazingly. She was just as I pictured her. Bellatrix being my favorite villain for reasons I don’t even know I am extremely happy. She was just like a thing from a horror film but withmore depth and frankly passion. Se is an amazing character who is complex because you truly have to understand she has no conscience but incredible skill and knowledge not to mention everything else. Helena couldn’t make a better Bellatrix from her portrayal.
1258 Points
She’s amazing. I love her :)
She’s pretty much the only reason I like Bella.
840 Points
Helena Bonham Carter did a wonderful job portraying a character I hated MORE than Voldemort!!!
629 Points
She was the perfect Bellatrix— I was blown away by her performance in DH! When I read the books, she is who I picture as Bellatrix— even before I watched the movies, she has always been Bellatrix! Well done, Helena Bonham Carter, well done!
1385 Points
I agree sessionka! I hate Bellatrix more than Voldemort. Voldemort has reasons for becoming the way he did. You’d like to think that if he grew up in a loving family he would turn out alright. Although he probably would have been evil anyway. Bellatrix is evil for no reason.
2389 Points
Helena Bonham Carter is, I think, officially one of my favorite actresses……
11990 Points
She does a Great Bellatrix. I look forward to her fight with “Mrs. Weasley”.
10839 Points
Helena Bonham Carter is an amazing actress over all, i love the way she portrays Bellatrix, she fits the script perfectly!
47 Points
Lol, can u guys imagine if Yates removed the part where Molly duels Bella? It’s not totally unthinkable that he would do just that… but let’s hope not!
39234 Points
@Aleks, the ‘not my daughter u…’ line is definitely in the movie, yates confirmed it, so i think its safe to say they will duel. but Helena is amazing in these movies, im completely in love with her :) shes just crazy!! loved reading her thoughts on the character, and how much the movies have meant to her :)
I think dhe finnaly got it right in this last movie. It seemed believable and scary. In the earlier movies it seemed too forced and cartoon like. And though it was more crazy, it was less terrifying.
first comment? :)