Ember star

Do you dream of being a film star? Well, we catch up with 14-year-old City Of Ember star Saoirse Ronan to find out how she got into acting and her plans for the future...

NG Kids: Hi Saoirse! Could you tell us about City Of Ember?
Saoirse Ronan: It's about an underground city that was built to save mankind, the secret to getting out of the city was meant to be revealed after 200 years, but it wasn't. My character, Lina, comes across the secret in her apartment and so she teams up with her friend Doon to make sense of the secret in order to save the city.

NGK: Are you anything like Lina in real life?
SR: I'd like to think that I'm a lot like Lina in some ways. She's really optimistic and she always looks on the bright side of things even though her life's hard. She's also really energetic and is always helping people out – I'd like to be more like that.

NGK: City Of Ember is a bit of an action film. Did you get to do any cool stunts?
SR: Yeah I had quite a few stunts, my favourite was when we were being chased by the mole. It was all quite exciting because I'd never done an action movie before. I had to run every day with my trainer and do stretches before we started filming. I'd definitely like to do another action film – it's so much fun!

NGK: You've already worked with some top stars such as Kiera Knightly and Bill Murray, but who would you most like to work with in the future?
SR: Oooh there are so many great actors that I'd love to work with! But I think it would be great to do a film with Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman or Jack Black - he's so funny.

NGK: How did you get into acting?
SR: I think it had a lot to do with my dad, who is also an actor. His agent got me my first role, so I suppose it wasn't as hard for me as it would be for other people. My dad helps me with learning my lines and gives me advice. I've also always been around film sets – I even met Brad Pitt when I was a baby!

NGK: Do you have any advice for NG Kids readers who want to get into acting?
SR: I'd say, try not to get too disappointed if you don't get a part, just keep on trying. And if you do get some fame, don't let it go to your head.

NGK: You were filming a new movie in New Zealand recently, did you enjoy that?
SR: I loved it! New Zealand is so beautiful. When I was there all the mountains were covered in snow, I didn't get to see that much of it because I was working, but when I go back I'd like to stay a bit longer and do some cool sports like tobogganing!

NGK: What are your plans for the future?
SR: I've got a film coming out next year called Lovely Bones and I'm working on a few more – but they're top secret!  Apart from that, I just want to keep acting for as long as I can and maybe in the future I'll try directing or even writing a movie, but I think I'll always be in the film business.

City Of Ember is in cinemas now!