A few days ago when discussing the fact that Elsa Pataky had appeared in Maxim, I mentioned that I had sent her ‘management team’ a set of questions and I hadn’t heard back from them. They’ve found the time to respond and here is our final pre-film interview. First, here’s a few pictures of Elsa Pataky on and off the set to give you an idea of who we’re talking to:

And now, the interview:

Snakes on a Blog: First of all, tell us a little bit about yourself. Who you are, where you grew up, what your acting background is… basic biographical stuff.

Elsa Pataky: I’m Elsa Pataky. I was born and raised in Madrid, Spain. I am a well-known actress in my country, and I have starred in over 10 Spanish films. I live currently live in Spain and L.A.

SoaB: From your resume it’s clear that you’ve mostly worked in Spanish and French. In fact, Snakes on a Plane appears to be your first English-language film. How did you get involved with Snakes on a Plane?

EP: I actually did a movie in English, ROMASANTA, a few years ago. It was a Spain production but the entire movie was in English! I had to speak with a British accent which was difficult. Snakes On A Plane is my first U.S. film. Almost 2 years ago I came to L.A. to study English. I got a manager and an agent and they sent me to different meetings. I had a meeting at New Line cinema and they gave me the script. When I first saw the title, I was like “Snakes On A Plane? Are they serious?” I just had to see what it was about. I met with the director, David Ellis, and he was super excited about the film and he said they needed a Spanish girl. The role was very tiny at first, but he knew about the films I did in Spain and he made my role bigger. I thought, “a movie in Vancouver during the summer with snakes and Samuel L. Jackson, why not?! Sounds fun!”

SoaB: Was it odd that a film as unique as Snakes on a Plane was your first crossover credit?

EP: A little bit, I have done several serious and artistic films in Spain. It’s funny, last year around this exact time I starred in NINETTE, a Spanish romantic comedy. This movie ended up being nominated for 7 GOYAS (like the Spanish Oscars.) Now this year I’m part of a big budget summer action/horror movie about SNAKES! The complete opposite!

SoaB: What effect do you think being in Snakes on a Plane will have on your career?

EP: Hopefully it will get me noticed in the U.S. market!

SoaB: Are you aware of how anticipated the movie has become? Have you heard the fan-made songs, read the blogs, seen the fan-made videos? Do you own a fan-made shirt?

EP: I have been reading your website which I LOVE! I have heard the songs and read the blogs…I cannot believe the amount of fans out there, it is very exciting to be part of such a huge phenomenon! I do not have a fan-made shirt….you want to send me one? Hahaha!

SoaB: The film underwent additional shooting to take it from a PG-13 to an R rating, were you involved with any of the reshooting? Did you feel it made the film better?

EP: I was not involved with the reshooting as I was out of the country shooting another film… The reshoot has made the movie scarier, more gruesome, now there’s some added nudity to give it that ‘R’ rating.

SoaB: What is it like working with Samuel L. Jackson? Is he as well known in Spanish and French cinema as he is in American?

EP: It was an amazing experience, my first U.S. movie and I got to work with SAMUEL L. JACKSON! He’s very famous in Spain (and of course, all over the world.) He is so nice and professional. He loves Spain so we had a few things in common.

SoaB: Were you attacked by snakes in any of your scenes? If so, was it a real snake or computer generated? Was it hard acting with a snake? Do you have any funny snake stories? Did you have a favorite/least favorite particular snake?

EP: I was surrounded by snakes but my character was not attacked by any. I loved they snakes, I think I was the only one who liked them! We weren’t surrounded by real snakes all the time because it would have been too dangerous, so we had a lot of fake rubber ones on set. We all liked joking around with one another. If you weren’t paying attention, someone would through a whole armful of fake snakes at you which would freak people out!

SoaB: What’s your favorite line from the movie?

EP: I love Sam’s line: “I want these motherfucking snakes off this motherfuckin plane!” The fans helped add that line to the movie, right?

SoaB: Would you be interested in appearing in a sequel?/p>

EP: Of course!

SoaB: Is there anything else that you think might be interesting to people eagerly anticipating the film’s release in August?

EP: SNAKES ON A PLANE is a fun summer action/horror/comedy movie! It’s the perfect date movie: blood, sex and snakes…who wouldn’t want to see it!