Halle Berry returns to the big screen for the first time since playing Ginger alongside Colin Firth, Taron Egerton and Mark Strong in Kingsman: The Golden Circle in 2017.
Not one to take no for an answer, Berry marched into director Chad Stahelski’s office before John Wick Chapter 3 – Parabellum was even written and demanded that he put her in the film. Five months later, when Stahelski called her to tell her there was a part for her, and was she still interested, she said, “Of course, I’m fucking interested. When do we start training?” The film stars Berry as Sofia in this third installment of the adrenaline-fueled action franchise, John Wick, with Keanu Reeves starring as the titular character, who returns with a $14 million price tag on his head and an army of bounty-hunting killers on his trail. After killing a member of the shadowy international assassin’s guild, the High Table, John Wick is excommunicado, but the world’s most ruthless hit men and women await his every turn. Halle plays his on-screen partner in crime assisting him in trying to escape the underground crime lords.
Berry has been spending a lot more time on the other side of the camera as an executive producer, notably on the TV revival of 1992 comedy film Boomerang, which starred with Eddie Murphy and Robin Givens, and provided a platform for the likes of Martin Lawrence and Chris Rock.
Berry was also a producer on the 2017 thriller Kidnap and both series of TV sci-fi drama “Extant.” She also starred in both.
After being pictured consoling her close friend, female UFC superstar Cris Cyborg, following her first defeat in 13 years last December to Amanda Nunes, Berry announced that she was going to make her directorial debut based on MMA, with a film entitled Bruised. She will star as the main protagonist and fighter Jackie Justice.
Berry sat down with Skye Huntington to discuss a vast array of subjects delving into acting, producing, her lingerie line and motherhood.
STRIPLV: When Lena Waithe called you to get together for “Boomerang,” what made you jump at the chance? BERRY: Well, at first, I didn’t jump at the chance, and I was actually trying to talk Lena out of doing it, if I am totally honest! I was like: “No, please don’t mess with “Boomerang.” People love it the way it is, and there’s no place for that story nowadays.” Then she was trying to sweet-talk me and said: “Well, suppose we did do the story, what would that story be?” So, we then batted some ideas about for a while and talked about what we could do, and we came up with a 10-show series, and it should be what it is. A modern take on those old characters and that it should be for the millennials, it should be for what this generation of kids and young adults are struggling with, who they are, and it should be something that will evolve and move forward because we are also moving forward as a people. So, when we talked about the show in those terms, it made me think that there is indeed a place for it. But you can’t say no to Lena, as much as I did try. STRIPLV: How do you want it to resonate with the new generation? BERRY: Well, me personally, I want them to see themselves and feel proud of what they see. I hope that this new young cast feels exactly the same way, because they should. STRIPLV: So, working as an executive producer on “Boomerang,” as well as Kidnap and “Extant,” is that something you want to continue doing? BERRY: It’s very satisfying to have more creative control over what you’re doing. We’re seeing a lot of women doing that now because we need to create these opportunities for ourselves if we’re going to change things in this business. These projects are very unusual, and it’s important that these films do well if we’re going to get more female-driven projects made in the future. The key is that the female audiences come to see these films, especially in the premiere weekend. This industry is based on box office results. We depend on that. So, if we’re going to succeed as producers and actors with these kinds of projects, we need women to come out and support us, too. STRIPLV: You worked on “Extant” for two seasons. Is that what also convinced you to go back to television with “Boomerang?” BERRY: Television is becoming more important than ever for actors looking to do quality projects. I also wanted to be able to work in Los Angeles on “Extant” while I was looking after my baby (Maceo). STRIPLV: You’re also very active as a business entrepreneur with your own production company and your 50% ownership in a lingerie company (Scandale). How much of your time does that take up? BERRY: It’s incredibly important to find something you are passionate about. Then you want to work harder and grow in what you do. It’s the kind of thing where you never say to yourself: “Thank God it’s Friday,” because you like the work and you want to be successful. STRIPLV: Are there any similarities between acting and running your businesses? BERRY: You need a very strong work ethic. I get that from my mother. I also believe that if you’re going to succeed in business, you need to be very hands-on, you need to inspire the people who work for and you, and you also need to be tough when you need to be. And work very hard. That is what people respect, and that makes for a much better workplace. You also get more done. STRIPLV: How do you manage your life as a mother? BERRY: My children make me a better individual and give so much meaning to my life. They’ve helped me discover a lot about myself and also given me more joy than I ever expected. I waited a long time to start a family, but I don’t think I was ready until I hit 40. I had to figure out a lot of things first, and when I finally had my first child, I felt ready for that responsibility. STRIPLV: You’re recognized as one of the most beautiful as well as the fittest women in Hollywood. How do you stay in such great shape? BERRY: As a diabetic, I’ve had to be careful when it comes to paying close attention to what I eat and leading a healthy lifestyle. I had no choice, but it’s also paid off for me. I’ve also tried to be a role model for other people who have diabetes and show that you can lead a very productive life and not let it hold you back. I think taking care of your body also makes you feel more confident and energetic overall and I’m sure it makes me feel more positive about my life in general. STRIPLV: You’ve said in the past that your mother has been a role model for you. Do you also see yourself as a role model for your children? BERRY: Yes. I’m very conscious of living in a way that will inspire and teach my children to be better individuals. I want to be as kind and wise and grateful when I’m around them so that they will appreciate those qualities as they grow older and make their way in life. I want to set a very good example for them and share the values that have always been a big part of my world and helped guide me. I want to to love them, teach them, and help them grow up with a sense of curiosity and generosity that will carry them through life. STRIPLV: Your image is that of an actress who always seems to be playing very serious women facing challenging situations, as you’ve done in films like Monster’s Ball or Things We Lost in the Fire or last year’s The Call. But you seem much more light-hearted in person. BERRY: (Laughs) I’ve played so many dark or serious characters in my career that it’s hard for people to separate me from them. I’d rather people think of me as Jinx in Die Another Day because she has a sense of fun that I also have when it comes to looking at the world. I’ve had my struggles in life, but I’m not a tortured soul like some of my screen roles. This is one of the lightest times in my life, and I feel that so many good things have been happening to me of late. It’s just that as an actor you’re attracted to the heavy and serious stuff because that’s where the great drama tends to be found. But I would jump at the chance to do a good comedy, but I know that I’m not going to be the first person that comes to mind. STRIPLV: How has your experience as a mother changed you? BERRY: I think I’m pretty much the same person I’ve been for most of my life. I feel I’ve grown a lot and discovered a lot of things about myself and about life during that time. But my spirit is the same. My children have fulfilled a need in me, though. I have strong instincts as a mother, and I’ve experienced so much pure joy looking after them and feeling that I have a beautiful family around me that I can share my life with. It’s the best kind of feeling. STRIPLV: You’re considered one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood. Do you feel a certain pride in that at this stage in your life? BERRY: It’s very flattering. I’m grateful that I have good genes and that I’m not getting wrinkly. But I’ve also always eaten very well and taken care of my body. As a diabetic, I’m very aware of everything I eat, and so I’ve never had the luxury to eat a lot of junk food. So, in an odd way, I’ve been able to turn my illness into a positive force for living a very healthy life. STRIPLV: Your husband is French, and you’ve spoken many times about wanting to move to Paris one day. Is that still a dream of yours? BERRY: Yes. We love our time in Paris, and one day I’m sure that I’ll be living there. Maybe when Nahla turns 18, and she goes off to college. The one thing about France which has always appealed to me is that they have laws protecting your privacy, and I think your children should be off-limits to the paparazzi. In France, you have that protection. STRIPLV: How do you see your life evolving now? BERRY: I’m enjoying every moment of this time in my life. I have a wonderful family, I’m doing interesting work and I feel that my children make my life more beautiful every day.