Elizabeth Banks voices one of the toys in “The Lego Movie.”
Credit: Getty Images
Elizabeth Banks has been seduced by a poorly chest-shaven Steve Carell (“The 40 Year Old Virgin”), played Laura Bush (“W.”) and had sex with Seth Rogen (“Zack and Miri Make a Porno”). But none of this, surely, is as surreal as doing press on “The Lego Movie.” To promote her vocal role as toy hero Wyldstyle, she winds up installed in the Legoland amusement park. Why not?
Is this the weirdest junket experience you’ve ever had?
I’ll tell you, this is the most exciting junket I’ve ever been on because Morgan Freeman’s here. He’s a genius. Everything he says is gold. I mean, I edit [myself] because I still want to get jobs. [Laughs] Whereas Morgan Freeman’s like, “F— it. I’m on the other side. They’re going to hire me no matter what.” And he’s right. They should, because he’s a genius.
The running joke about your character’s name is everyone assumes she’s a DJ or something. So if you were actually a DJ, what would be your DJ name?
Um… I’m definitely not a DJ. I’m actually terrible with all that stuff. But my DJ name would be… like, Solo Claudia Goldenschwartz. “Solo” because I’m a solo DJ, I do it on my own.
Your character, while being a Lego figure, actually has curves.
Well, they’re kind of drawn-on curves. Wonder Woman does, too. She’s got, like, a sweetheart neckline, too. She’s got the impression of it, anyway.
Did the curves strike you as odd?
I didn’t notice, actually. But it wouldn’t bother me. I’m OK with it. I mean, if someone’s like, “She’s a really sexy Lego, is that weird?” That’s on you, man. Who knows, you might be a boob man. Look, I’m here to blaze a trail, and if that’s how I do it, so be it.
While this is an animated film, did you get to work much with your co-stars?
I was really lucky on this. I recorded probably four sessions with Chris Pratt and then two sessions with Chris and me and Will Arnett. The three of us together, that was a very fun time. It was a lot of wasted time making each other laugh with jokes that are completely inappropriate for a children’s movie.
What sorts of jokes are we talking about?
Well, Batman has a real kinky side to him, let’s just say that. Look at him. He’s in basically in an S&M outfit.
What’s coming up next for you?
My life right now is all about “Pitch Perfect 2.” I produced the first movie, I’m producing [and directing] the second movie. It’s all about getting that script ready to go into production, bringing the cast back together and getting it ready for a release in 2015.
Were there many obstacles in getting the sequel set up?
[The studio] wants to make it, we just want to make the best version that we can. There’s a little pressure. They want to release it and they’re picking a date for it, so the pressure is, as always, we want to tell a really fun, funny, inspiring story, and we’re just homing in on that.
