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 Alexander Ludwig and AnnaSophia Robb star in Race To Witch Mountain. (Dave Abel, Sun Media) |
It's appropriate that AnnaSophia Robb and Alexander Ludwig were cast as aliens in the new science-fiction adventure, Race To Witch Mountain -- both of them are like teenagers from another planet.
They're funny, charming and enthusiastic; they also seem to have developed an adult work ethic.
It's impressive.
Robb,15, a native of Denver, Colorado, is a bit of a human dynamo. She's jumped into recording and fashion design in addition to building an acting career that's seen her star in such films as Because of Winn Dixie, Bridge To Terabithia, Jumper, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Reaping and Sleepwalking.
Ludwig, 16, who is from Vancouver, has been acting since the age of 10. He's the oldest of four children, and spends his free time skiing, surfing and playing hockey. He has been in several family movies (Eve and the Firehorse, MXP: Most Extreme Primate and Air Bud: World Pup), and recently starred in The Seeker: The Dark is Rising, opposite Ian McShane and Wendy Crewson.
Race To Witch Mountain has the kids saving their planet and ours with the help of a human cab driver, played by Dwayne Johnson.
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The film is a modern remake of the beloved '70s family film (and novel), Escape To Witch Mountain, and its sequel, Return From Witch Mountain.
So what's it like to be in a movie that will likely be a family classic?
"The originals were such timeless pictures," says Ludwig, "and people loved them, and it's such an honour to play the part of the kids you loved when you were little. They did an amazing job."
Robb says, "You do your best, but you can't take yourself too seriously, and you can't take this business too seriously, because it's about entertainment, and about creating a feeling and an emotion."
Indicating Ludwig, she adds, "And I don't take him seriously," and they both laugh.
TYPICAL DAY
Asked to describe a typical day in her life, Robb says, "In real life, I get up at 6 every morning, go to school all day, get out, come home and do homework until about 5. Then I go to kickboxing, come home, eat dinner, more homework, a shower and then to bed.
"And it just repeats. Day after day. Week after week. Endlessly," she laughs.
"Mindlessly. Just kidding."
And all her extra-curricular activities? Fashion? Music?
"I've cut back a little bit. I've found it's hard to focus on all those things," says Robb.
"Fashion design has gone by the wayside, because it's mostly about school and work now."
She continues to do charity work, and hopes to start a club at school to further that involvement.
"It's a lot of stuff to handle," she concedes, "and it's difficult, but it's one step at a time every day and finding out what's possible. Because I still want to be a normal teenager, get my sleep and all that."
On his side, Ludwig decides to describe a typical day on a weekend.
"I get up early, because it's better -- you feel like you have the rest of the day. And I go skiing. I love, love, love to ski. It's my favourite thing. So I ski until about 3 in the afternoon, and then maybe see some friends, see a movie, go to a party, whatever.
And at night?
"At night I fight crime," he deadpans.
"He puts on a cape and spandex," adds Robb.
Both actors are pumped about being in an action film.
"It was such a rush making this movie," says Ludwig.
"When we were in the taxi, they had hydraulics," he says, lurching back and forth on the couch to demonstrate the motion. "We felt like hamsters in a ball. It was unbelievable."
Adds Robb, "Alexander is really good about getting excited about everything. And that was great, because sometimes when you're on set you get into this routine every day, and you can forget that what you're doing is so special. It was nice to be able to have such a happy set."