'Annabelle' Star, Oscar Nominated Alfre Woodard on Defying Type-Casting and Paranormal Activity in 'The Conjuring' Prequel
We've seen Oscar nominee Alfre Woodard command both the big and small screen in "Twelve Years a Slave," "Cross Creek" and her latest NBC project, "State of Affairs," but she decided to take on an unconventional role in New Line Cinema's supernatural thriller and "The Conjuring" prequel, "Annabelle," which hit theaters Friday, Oct. 3.
In "Annabelle," Woodard plays Evelyn, who is not your average bookstore owner. Knowledgeable about demon possession and the occult, she helps the tormented Mia (played by Annnabelle Harris) gain insight into Annabelle's demonic world. With a troubled past and heartfelt back story, Evelyn can relate to Mia from a maternal standpoint and ends up essentially becoming her saving grace in more ways than one.
Woodard sat down with Latin Post in an exclusive interview and touched upon how she enjoys breaking free from type-casting and she also shared her thoughts on paranormal activity.
"One of the things that I try to do ... it's the same way as if you were at a buffet, you don't want to just keep going back to the same station all the time," Woodard told Latin Post. "So as an actor, especially in a business that really type-casts you because they want to depend on you doing what they think audiences are drawn to seeing you do. So even within that realm, I always try to choose different food stations at the buffet."
Well, needless to say Woodard's plate is filling up.
"No one had ever asked me to do a super-natural thriller. ... The thing with me is, if you ask me, by and large, I will do it, as long as the writing is there," Woodard said.
In "Annabelle," John Form (played by Ward Horton who starred in "The Wolf of Wall Street") gives his expectant wife, Mia (Harris), a beautiful, rare vintage doll in a pure-white wedding dress. But Mia's affection for Annabelle doesn't last long.
On one ill-fated night, their home is invaded by members of a satanic cult, who violently attack the couple. While they survive the brutal attack, the cultists have conjured a wicked entity, a "sinister conduit" -- Annabelle.
Woodard said while she has never encountered any paranormal activity, she attributes it to being "just a subjective state." "And if there is, I'm cool with that, if not ... this sounds kind of hippy and jazzy, but everything is everything," she said.
A genuine fan of storytelling, Woodard said, "That's what makes life interesting. ... I keep going back to food, I must be hungry! " she said. "That's what makes life textured and delicious."
Woodard is currently shooting "State of Affairs," along with Katherine Heigel and "a fabulous cast," which premieres on Nov. 17.
In addition to Woodard, Wallis and Horton, the cast includes Tony Amendola, Kerry O'Malley ("Those Who Kill") and Brian Howe ("Devil's Knot") as neighbors Sharon and Pete Higgins, and Eric Ladin ("Boardwalk Empire,") as Detective Clarkin.
"Annabelle" reunites the filmmakers behind 2013's hugely successful supernatural thriller "The Conjuring." James Wan, the director of "The Conjuring," produced "Annabelle" with Peter Safran. John R. Leonetti, "The Conjuring" cinematographer, took the reins this time to direct "Annabelle."
"I loved John Leonetti's work as a cinematographer, and I knew that in this genre it would be fabulous, having that kind of cinematographer as a director," she said. "I wanted to have fun, so I jumped on board."
Check out a Latin Post TV exclusive interview with Woodard as she opens up about "The Conjuring' prequel "Annabelle," and her new NBC show, "State of Affairs," with Katherine Heigl.