Helen Mirren refuses to let the glare of the best actress Oscar trophy distract her from opportunities for fun. So soon after scooping up the statue for her Elizabeth II portrayal in The Queen, she was ready to co-star in the Nicolas Cage action picture National Treasure: Book of Secrets. “It’s good fun,” says Mirren. “And I thought, why not try something I’ve never done before?”
In the sequel, which opened in late December, the 62-year-old portrays Cage’s mother, a linguistics expert who joins a quest to find a book of centuries-old government secrets in order to clear the family’s name.
Besides firing off some snappy dialogue, Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire managed to run and jump — and even swing on a rope. “It was different for me, but I appreciate the challenges of these kinds of films much more than I used to,” she says.
Certainly, Cage is even more of a Mirren fan than he was before filming started. “She is really down to Earth, and doesn’t take herself too seriously,” he says. “And I have to tip my hat to her that she would win the Oscar, then go on to make an adventure film. That shows a lot of spirit and a great zest for life.”
When Mirren is told of the Cage compliment, she is pleased. “I’ve always considered myself a working actor, so I am very happy he feels that way,” says the actress, who has also been Oscar nominated for 1994′s The Madness of King George and 2000′s Gosford Park.
Next up for Mirren is another big studio movie, this time with Russell Crowe. “I am scheduled to begin State of Play by mid-January,” she says of the crime thriller.
In March, she is slated to star in Love Ranch, directed by her husband, Taylor Hackford. She plays a madame who runs the first legal brothel in Nevada. “Now that should be something we can all have fun with,” says Mirren, chuckling.