Nathalie Cox (Star Wars: The Force Unleashed) Interview

Unleash the Force and battle on an epic scale in this cinematic action adventure set within the Star Wars Universe. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed will allow gamers to experience the untold events that shaped the galaxy during the turbulent years between Episodes III and IV! Nathalie Cox plays Juno Eclipse in the game.

For the first time, the game introduces the CellWeaver™ mobile control system that really lets you experience the true power of the Force. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed will become one of the very first games to be simultaneously released for Java, NGage and iPhone.

With Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, gamers will discover new chapters, develop new Force powers, test their endurance and aim for a high score in Arcade, while confronting and coming face-to-face with familiar characters from the Star Wars films, including the evil Darth Vader himself. To add to the amazing features, the game takes place in locations such as Episode III's Wookiee homeworld Kashyyyk, the fungus forests of Felucia, and within the Imperial TIE fighter construction facility.


How does it feel to be a part of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed?

It’s brilliant, I’m very excited about it I have to say, it’s a huge game, its brand new technology, it’s like nothing they have ever done before really and just to be part of this project is absolutely brilliant, really fantastic.

You play Juno Eclipse in the game, can you describe her character?

Basically I play an imperial fighter pilot. I work for Darth Vader. I fly a big ship called the Rogue Shadow and fly his secret apprentice around on his combat missions.

She is obviously a hot pilot character in the game was there any special training that you had to do?

Not really although I do have to say a lot of pilot things like ‘prepare for light speed’ so that’s very exciting but no I just act like I know what I’m talking about really.

Have you played the game, is strange to see yourself in animation?

I actually haven’t got a chance to play it yet. It comes out today, it’s out now so I’m going to dash home and play it. I have seen bits of it yes and it is a little strange because obviously they used facial mapping so it’s motion capture. It looks exactly like me and obviously it’s my voice so yes it’s slightly strange to see yourself immortalised on a computer game.

Talk me through the filming process, how does it work?

Basically I went to San Francisco last year to the Lucas Arts headquarters over there. There’s a bank of cameras and they put sort of little reflective dots all over your face to get the motion capture so that they can map your facial features into the game. I mean the technology is so advanced really. They did such a fantastic job over there and they really know what they’re doing. They’re the best at their job you know so, it does it looks exactly like me, it’s very scary!

What was it like working with George Lucas himself, the man is a legend?

It was fantastic I think for the guys at Lucas Arts because he was very much involved with the game from the word go. It’s written as if it’s a movie you know it fills in the gaps between episode III and episode IV of the films so there was an entire script, and he really got involved with the characters and the development of the story and things like that. It’s kind of, you feel like you have got his blessing to be able to do this and to be part of the Star Wars Saga really is such a fantastic experience.

How did you get involved in the project?

I just went to an audition through my acting agents like any other acting job and it’s sort of snowballed since then really. It has been the best job I think I’ve ever done, the most fun so far.

What was it like working with Sam Witwer – Is he your type?

Sam is, I have to say, a bit of a dish! He has got a very special place in my heart. He is my type yes. He’s lovely and when we were actually filming the action stuff I was in a studio with him doing the lines and everything. He’s so great and is a big Star Wars fan and he’s a computer game fan as well. His enthusiasm was just contagious, you know he was fantastic to work with, absolutely great guy.

In the game there is a romance with Marek, was there any kind of virtual sex scenes in the game?

Well Marek is the secret apprentice so I play his ‘love interest’. There is a virtual kiss does that count? Which was slightly bizarre but you know, all in a days work.

The one question that all the guys will want to know – are you single?

I am single yes. I have been to a galaxy far far away and back and I’m still single!

Are you a genuine Star Wars fan?

I am a genuine Star Wars fan actually yes. I did like the Star Wars films and stuff before I got involved in this and obviously since having done the game I’m more of a fan now than I ever was, I think I have elevated myself to die hard fan. Its thirty years now since Star Wars first came out and to be involved in it, you know I’m immortalised now, that’s it, I’m part of the Star Wars universe from now on so I have Lego figures in my life now and things like that. It’s brilliant to be involved in something like this and it is huge, absolutely massive. I think it’s because Star Wars is so universal, it appeals to everybody and I think that’s what makes it so great.

So, what’s next for you?

I’ve got some things coming up, I have just finished shooting a movie actually that’s going to be coming out in Sundance next year and a I’ve got a couple of things coming up so, they’re keeping me busy.