'Beowulf' Aroused Jolie's Maternal Feelings

Nov. 5, 2007 — -- The oldest known story in the English language comes to the silver screen this month as the epic poem "Beowulf" is brought to life. Using cutting-edge computer animated film, and some of the biggest Hollywood stars, the movie is poised for a groundbreaking run.

The movie, which uses digitally animated backgrounds that are blended with traditional live-action film, follows Beowulf, who comes to save King Hrothgar, played by Anthony Hopkins, because his kingdom has fallen prey to a demon named Grendel.

Actress Angelina Jolie, who plays Grendel's mother, said even though her character was evil, she was able to associate with her maternal side.

"I liked that it was a mother, who would do anything and destroy anything, if somebody hurt her son. So it was, it was the maternal side of me," Jolie said. "I love that that's her motivation."

Jolie described her character as a "sexy lizard" and said it was challenging trying to make a demon alluring.

"I just focused on her being evil," she said. "But, on the day [of filming], it didn't feel very sexy at all. I was in the traditional bubble head and the jump suit. And I felt absolutely goofy, especially trying to feel seductive in my jumpsuit with my dot face."

Jolie said her family helps her balance her acting and her advocacy work.

"I feel like I'm very lucky in my life," Jolie said. "I've got a great supportive family. And I think when you have that and, and you're passionate about what you do, then you're in that great -- very fortunate position to be able to balance that."

And for Jolie's co-star, Hopkins, doing the semi-animated film offered him more liberties.

"You have a certain degree of freedom," he said, "because you don't have any set or props or scenery, or anything like that in a normal film."

"But you're surrounded by these grids of cameras, hundreds of cameras," Hopkins added.

The actors said there are important themes in "Beowulf."

"In the history of this country, I mean, how power is the driving force that makes somebody grab for the presidency and they get it, and that same power undoes them," Hopkins said, "there's a kind of spiritual allegory in that."

"I think it's got that old theme of, of selling your soul for something you think is important, like, like power or fame and realizing that, that is just a trap," Jolie added. "That's, that's the great message."

Turkey Time

The movie, which opens Nov. 16, arrives just in time for Thanksgiving and the actors said they already have their holidays planned.

While Hopkins said he plans to make the gravy, Jolie said she is not so much of cook.

"We'll see what happens this year," she said. "We all chip in. But I don't think anybody in my family wants me to handle Thanksgiving dinner."

Jolie added that her diverse family adds elements from her adopted children's cultures into the family's celebration.

"We celebrate Moon Festival for my boys, who are from Asia," she said. "We certainly try to celebrate as many of those as we can and bring in all culture."