How Tom Cruise Helped Kirsten Dunst Get Interview With The Vampire Role

At 11 years old, Kirsten Dunst secured her breakout role as Claudia in Interview with the Vampire—with some help from her co-star Tom Cruise. Based on Anne Rice’s 1976 novel of the same name, the 1994 adaptation follows the mysterious Louis de Pointe du Lac (Brad Pitt) as he details his transformation into a vampire at the hands of Lestat de Lioncourt (Cruise). Rounding out the trio of vampires is Claudia, a young girl who Lestat also turns into a member of their bloodsucking ranks.

Dunst would rack up more child acting credits, including Little Women and Jumanji, before transitioning to leading roles in teen films like Bring It On and The Virgin Suicides. After garnering even more recognition with the first Spider-Man trilogy, Dunst would take on roles in acclaimed dramas like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Melancholia, as well as prestige series like Fargo. She’s now starring in Power of the Dog alongside Benedict Cumberbatch and Jesse Plemons, but it was her role as Claudia, a ruthless killer trapped in the body of a seemingly angelic child, that kickstarted the actress’ career.

Now, Dunst tells EWhow she was able to nab her breakout role with the help of Tom Cruise. While auditioning for Interview with theVampire, Cruise took a shine to the young actress, helping her secure the part of his prey-turned-protégé. Dunst recalls how Cruise advised her to shrink her appearance, making the tall 11-year-old seem ever more small and innocent than her competition. Check out Dunst’s recollection below:

“I was the tallest girl [at the last audition]. So he had me tuck my legs under, so I looked shorter when he picked me up. I felt like he was already like, ‘I like this kid.'”

The actress goes on to reminisce about her experience on set, noting that her A-list co-stars Cruise and Pitt went out of their way to lighten the mood during the otherwise grim production. “They treated me so sweetly. I was such a princess on that set,” Dunst says. “The darkness was always balanced out by fart jokes by Brad.” With a new Interview with the Vampire series in the works at AMC, audiences can look forward to an updated cast of bloodsuckers, including a new Claudia.

The newest adaptation will premiere as an 8-part series in 2022. Even for an 11-year-old, however, Dunst leaves big shoes to fill for the next Claudia, who is set to be played by newcomer Bailey Bass. Bass will soon star in James Cameron’s Avatar sequels as well, having secured the role of Tsireya. If Dunst’s post-Interview with the Vampirecareer is any indication, Bass should have a flurry of roles sent her way come 2022. 

Source: EW