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MEDIA: What, no costume?
MOLLY: No, no, there is! But at Comic-Con, we usually do the interviews after the panel, and I wanted to save the outfit for the panel. It's going to be pretty awesome, actually. And I'm sorry that you guys don't get to see it, but it is worth saving. I'm very proud of it. [laughs]
I think most of us will be at the panel for the unveiling...
Good, good, good! I'm so excited! I can't help it. [laughs]
What qualities were important to you to put into the character of Supergirl?
I wanted to make sure that she was strong--that even when she argued and had her little moments of teenage angst, she knew deep down inside what she was going to do, that she asked [for] advice after she had her mind made up. I think that's just completely fun, and so real. And I think a lot of times when people play superheroes, they kind of want to stick with this [bravado]. But the truth is, we're all human, and I think that human quality is really important to bring.
How did you feel about playing an icon that fans have been imagining for generations?
Oh, gosh! You know, I tried not to think about any of that, really. [laughs] I just tried to focus on how much fun it is. But now that you're saying that, I'm like, "Oh my God, I hope they like it. Did I play it right? Are they going to be upset that I'm a redhead in real life?" [laughs]
You already landed the role, so it's okay...
[laughs] But I want the people to be happy! I loved getting the job, but I've always said, whatever I do, I like making good movies because I like to watch good movies. So as long as I can do that, I'm happy. And I hope people enjoy Supergirl, because I liked doing her, a lot.
How would you describe Superman: Unbound to a potential viewer who might not be familiar with the DC Animated Universe?
It's a great fantasy. You're going to enjoy it from the beginning to the end. There's enough humor mixed in with the fighting. There's enough rest stops. You're going to enjoy it, but you're not going to get worn out. And also, Brainiac is just incredible--just that entire character, in general. And [the movie is] phenomenal. That really would be my biggest selling point.
 
Your Castle co-star Nathan Fillion is a veteran of DC projects, as well as geek culture at large. Did he have any insight for you going into this film?
You know, he didn't. I would like to say that he did, but he didn't. The only thing Nathan ever says when I ask him for any type of advice is, "You're in this industry. That's enough. If you weren't good, you wouldn't be here." [laughs] And I'm always like [deadpans], "Thanks, Nathan. Appreciate it!" So that's his words of wisdom. And it is true, but...He's funny.
Did the action sequences require a lot of yelling and grunting from you in the recording booth?
Yes, absolutely! And that's the most fun. I remember one of the scenes was something like "Supergirl punches through ten androids in a row, going in a circle formation." And I remember being in the booth, like, "Okay, how would I do this? How would I punch through...?" So I just go and I'm like [roars], and I do this whole thing. And when they put it together, it looked better than I could imagine. But in the booth, I know a lot of people will just stand there and kind of do it, but I really enjoyed getting into it--I mean, I'll throw those punches and I'll act like I'm being torn aside. Like whenever we do Winx, I'm always like, [strikes her character's pose] "Winx!" Like, try to do the whole thing. [laughs] People think I'm ridiculous, but I think it adds something really important to the performance. It's fun!
Which requires a greater lack of inhibition: voiceover work or on-camera work?
Oh, I think it's equal. But you know, that's very interesting because it comes out in two completely different ways. I think definitely in voiceover, you have to be completely uninhibited. And I think more than that, you have to put yourself back into the enjoyment of pretending. Whereas in live action, you do completely need to be uninhibited, but it's different--it's more in a laid back, having a conversation, whereas in voiceover, it's like [spazzes out]. You really have to pretend like you're a 3-year-old doing this voiceover, except you can talk and read. [laughs] So both times, you have to be uninhibited, but it's two different types.
Coincidentally, the film adaptation of The Mortal Instruments is here at WonderCon, and I'm listening to the first audiobook. I just discovered that you actually narrated Books 4 and 5, so I'm looking forward to you reading to me for like 26 hours...
It's great! And when you get to the last one that we did...I'm a huge fan of that series. Always have been. I'm sure I've talked about it a million times, and I'm so sorry for that. [laughs] But in the last one, [there is a scene with] a character we think is dead. And I'm in the booth reading, and I start bawling. And I'm reading, [sobs] "And she strokes his hair as his last breath comes out..." But it sounds awesome in the audiobooks! [laughs] So I was happy for that. But oh, those books just touched my heart. And all the crying, I thought they would cut it out or let me re-read it. But they were like, "No, that was perfect!" And I was like, "Good, because it means so much to me."
Would you say narrating an audiobook is also a distinct style of acting with different requirements?
I think so. And it's almost like you get to do every voice in a cartoon--I mean, that's at least the way I like to look at it. And I asked [what they wanted] before I went into it, because sometimes they want you just to read very stoic and in one voice, with slight inflection. And I asked--because there are a lot of aliens and demons and stuff in [author Cassandra Clare's] work--if I could come up with my own voices for these characters. And she was like, "Yeah, do whatever you want!" And so that's exactly what it felt like: it felt like I was doing every single part in a cartoon. And that was incredible! And it was very sweet that they gave me that much freedom. But it's very different. You have to have a lot of stamina. And it's funny, they'll be like, "Molly, you have to go back because you didn't read that line right." "Are you sure?" But then you'll read it wrong like three more times, because your mind just isn't getting it. And you read seven hours a day, and you only have three or four days to finish it. So it's very different, but it's great.
What do you like most about the world of science fiction and fantasy, and the fandom that comes with it?
Oh, gosh! What's the best way to answer that question? I guess, for example, I'm reading The Wheel of Time, and I'm on Book 6 right now. And I will get so into it, and then I'll close the book and I'll be so sad, because I love living in that world, and that's where I want to be. I want to be an astronaut--that's what I want! [laughs] And I enjoy that that's there, and that escape is there, and I like meeting other people that enjoy it, as well. I mean, I think it's awesome to be able to have a place where you can dress up as those characters, and I think it takes so much bravery. People think it's silly, whatever you want to say. [But] it takes a strong person to be able to do that. Only when you know yourself are you able to become those other people. I mean, that's true enjoyment. You can't do that unless you're firm in who you are. So I think these people are absolutely incredible, and I look up to a lot of them.
Is there a superhero or genre character you would like to play?
Does it have to be DC? [laughs] I mean, I loved doing Supergirl. I would love to do Batgirl--I would absolutely love to do a live action Batgirl!
Thanks for your time.
All right, thank you guys very much. It's good to see you all again.
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