Interview with Madison Wolfe from I Kill Giants

I Kill Giants from RLJ Entertainment can be found in select theaters and On Demand now. To get a closer look into the new family-friendly film, I’m sharing an interview with Madison Wolfe to discuss her leading role as Barbara Thorson.

I Kill Giants Movie

From the acclaimed graphic novel comes an epic adventure about a world beyond imagination. Teen Barbara Thorson (Madison Wolfe, The Conjuring 2) is the only thing that stands between terrible giants and the destruction of her small town. But as she boldly confronts her fears in increasingly dangerous ways, her new school counselor (Zoe Saldana, Guardians of the Galaxy) leads her to question everything she’s always believed to be true. I Kill Giants is an intense, touching story about trust, courage and love from the producers that brought you Harry Potter.

Based on the acclaimed graphic novel by Joe Kelly and Ken Niimura. From the producer of Harry Potter, Chris Columbus. Academy award-winning director, Anders Walter.

Thank you to Madison Wolfe for taking time to answer these questions. I am always impressed with the talent I see when watching movies that have large roles played by younger actors. Madison Wolfe is only 15-years-old and was able to take on this leading role and be amazing. 

What made you initially excited to work on this film?

I think I was really excited because I knew it was going to be a challenge. And I knew that it was going to surprise people, because when you see the trailer or if you hear about the storyline, it doesn’t really do the actual movie justice, in my opinion, because it’s so much more than just Barbara and her imagination and her giants. It’s about a teenage girl who has so many struggles and just is so tough and is able to get through those struggles.

What did you expect your biggest challenge to be in portraying Barbara?

I think that the biggest challenge for me I knew was going to be that Barbara has so many layers. You know, on the inside she’s really vulnerable, but on the outside she’s super, super tough. And that was definitely the biggest challenge.

And funnily enough, it was also the best part of it. Like, I love a good challenge, so it was really fun to challenge myself as an actress to reach those emotions.

The fact Barbara believes she’s her town’s protector is very empowering. What do you think younger viewers can take away from that in this time?

I just hope people take away the message that they’re stronger than they think. It’s one of the last lines that Barbara says, and I think it’s a really common theme throughout the novel and the movie as well. And I think that if young teenagers, or really anybody, just keeps that in mind in times of struggle that they’ll be able to get through it.

What message do you think Barbara, as a role model for younger kids, sends not just because she’s fighting these metaphorical giants but because she’s getting through it?

I think that she can definitely be a role model because in a way she doesn’t really care what other people think. You know, she dresses how she wants. And even though everyone is telling her you’re crazy for believing in these giants, she still continues to do it and do what she really believes in and kind of stand up for herself.

And I think it’s a really beautiful kind of arc during the film, because in the beginning she’s just completely in denial of what’s really going on. And by the end, it’s a learning process for her. And she really grows up and kind of gets through all of her struggles.

The friendships and the guidance counselor, helped Barbara. What do you want other girls to really learn about how they can help others that might be dealing with something bigger, their own giants?

The relationships that Barbara develops is such an important factor in her being able to overcome her “giants.”

I hope that it kind of brings awareness to the fact that you never really know what people are going through. And if you just take a second to talk to them and kind of break through their shell that you might end up really building a strong friendship with them and helping them in the long run.

I Kill Giants Trailer

Find I Kill Giants on iTunes.