The actor formerly known as Darth Vader and the other folk behind Jumper talk to Michele Manelis about their high-beam sci-fi movie
KEY POINTS:
Hayden Christensen stars in Jumper, a US$100 million ($126 million) sci-fi thriller based on the 1992 novel by Steven Gould about teleporters who can travel anywhere in the world in the blink of an eye.
A lifestyle which affords endless travel possibilities _ breakfast by the Sphinx, lunch in Sydney, dinner in Paris _ is a regular day. But the global gallivanting comes at a price.
Directed by Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity, Mr and Mrs Smith), the cast includes Rachel Bilson, largely known for her role in the now-defunct The OC, and Jamie Bell (Billy Elliott).
Samuel L. Jackson re-teams with Christensen (he was a Jedi Master to Christensen's Darth Vader), but the tables are turned as Jackson plays the leader of a death squad, the Paladins, which for inexplicable reasons want to wipe out all the jumpers.
Says Liman of his latest novel-to-screen adaptation: "It's got philosophy, it's got physics but you have to make a big leap of faith to start with about teleportation as a viable concept. Do that and everything that follows is scientific.
"I was a physics geek growing up, so the really arcane details of it have fascinated me. So what you would feel and experience, if it happened in front of you, is factored in. Even how the air would react to a sudden displacement, we factored in."
Christensen, 26, also had to factor in another leap _ into another potential blockbuster and franchise.
Since his Star Wars turn in the prequels Attack of the Clones (2002) and Revenge of the Sith (2005) he has been careful to choose less commercial fare in indie movies such as Shattered Glass and Factory Girl.
"When I first heard about Jumper, my agent called me up and said, `It's science fiction about a guy who can teleport'. I can't say it really sparked my interest, especially since I had just finished Star Wars," he says.
"But then Doug Liman was directing. Everything changed from that point."
Like many actors who are associated with such an iconic role as Darth Vader, it's sometimes difficult for audiences to see them in any other way.
"I knew full well what I was signing up for. The Star Wars movies are their own beast. I'm blessed to be a part of it but it's just one character _ obviously the one I'm associated with, but it's just one role.
"I knew how big Star Wars was and it would follow me for the rest of my life. I thought it was great and a rare opportunity. Obviously when people bump into me in the street and recognise me, it's from that film. But I get a real kick out of it when it's a 14-year-old kid who can't necessarily differentiate between me and the character I played and they look up to you with these big wide eyes.
"It's allowed me to do this as well. If I hadn't done those films I don't know where I'd be now."
Christensen's onscreen (and allegedly offscreen) girlfriend, played by Bilson, says: "I loved the concept of this movie. It's so cool _ imagine having the power to teleport from place to place. From a bank vault or across the world to Rome. And it's also a really good movie for girls because it's so romantic. There is a wonderful love story element to the film."
This 26-year-old raven-haired beauty says of her character, Millie: "I love that she is a strong girl. She sticks to her guns and will not be pushed around by any boy. She's a good role model."
Liman brings Jumper to life with a mix of state-of-the art special effects, international intrigue and a savvy twist on a modern-day superhero in the making. But much of the movie's appeal is in its leading man.
Liman reportedly went to Eminem first to play the elusive teleporter but the rapper turned it down. This was followed by an offer to Tom Sturridge (Vanity Fair) but then Liman decided he need an older actor. Enter Christensen.
Liman says: "The trick was to cast someone who is believable as a very reluctant hero, who is on the cusp of wondering what would happen if he used his extraordinary powers to help others in jeopardy. These characters are not simply black and white like the superhero stories that were written a century ago. That's what I loved so much about Jumper, that it felt very fresh. Ultimately, I think it's the biggest creative challenge of my career."
For now, if Jumper exceeds expectations this will be another opportunity for Christensen's face to spread itself around on kid-friendly merchandising items. How does he feel about the likelihood of yet another franchise?
"If Doug is up for more, I'll be there," he says.
Having said that, I remind him that Matt Damon also thought the Bourne instalments after Identity would be helmed by Liman.
"Well, yes that's true but I think he's got a different personal connection to this story. Plus, we played ping-pong about a month ago and my bet was that if I won the game he had to agree to do 2 and 3. And I won," Christensen says, triumphantly. "So, it's settled. We'll all be on board."
LOWDOWN
What: Jumper starring Hayden Christensen, Samuel L. Jackson, Rachel Bilson, Jamie Bell; directed by Doug Liman
When: Opens at cinemas today.
