Imagine that you're 9-years-old, you've just landed your first big movie role -- and you'll be playing the younger version of a two-time Oscar winning actress. Would you be nervous?
"I'm playing the most beautiful girl!" grinned little actress Bailee Madison, adding that playing a young Hilary Swank won't give her jitters. The youngster begins playing a flashback version of Hilary Swank this week in the lawyer-on-a-mission film "Betty Anne Waters."
"Betty Anne Waters, played by Hilary Swank, tries to free her brother from jail for committing a crime he never did," she said of the plot. "I play her as a kid. They show how in real-life she was always so tough…It's a really cool role for me."
The interest of director Tony Goldwyn ("The Last Kiss") was first ignited in 2001, as the real-life story played out in the news; at the end of this year, audiences everywhere will see it play out on the big-screen.
"I start shooting on Thursday in Michigan with Hilary," marveled Madison, who previously had a small role in "Bridge to Terabithia." "I'm so excited to be able to do that."
The film also stars a fan-favorite as Swank's brother. "Sam Rockwell," Madison said excitedly. "He plays Kenny, who she tries to free."
Calling the film an "adult drama," Madison said that part of her research has been studying Hilary Swank films that are way too adult for most 9-year-olds. "I watched ‘Million Dollar Baby,'" she told us. "It was a great movie; she was amazing in it."
Cast to play Betty Anne Waters as a child, Madison promised that the challenge of playing a younger version of one of our finest actresses isn't making her nervous -- yet. "I think I'm going be myself," she said, showing a good head on her young shoulders. "And do and act how I am."
The young Madison also revealed one other plan over her next few weeks of filming: Picking Hilary Swank's brain. "I'm going to get so many tips from her!" she smiled.
Are you eager to see Swank in another true-life drama?
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