Twins a tall order for Highmore
Freddie Highmore is all long limbs and nervous energy – teenage electricity that doesn’t quite know where to go.
In his new film, “The Spiderwick Chronicles,” based on the popular children’s book series, he puts that energy to good use, starring – and co-starring – as twin brothers, Jared and Simon Grace.
The polite, soft-spoken Highmore played the title role in Tim Burton‘s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” with Johnny Depp.
He also appeared with Depp, Kate Winslet and Dustin Hoffman in “Finding Neverland,” and with Robin Williams in last year’s “August Rush.”
Throw in French director Luc Besson‘s “Arthur and the Invisibles,” and Jean-Jacques Arnaud‘s “Two Brothers,” shot in Cambodia, and you’ve got an impressive resume for a 16-year-old.
Q. What was harder: doing an American accent, or coming up with two different voices for the twins?
A. Both were a challenge. The American accent is something I’d done before in “August Rush.” I just tried to talk as much as possible (like that) so it became second nature and I wouldn’t have to worry about it. But I also wanted to get a little difference between the twins’ voices. One lower, one higher, to reflect their personalities.
Q. Are you more like Jared or Simon?
A. Somewhere in the middle. I wouldn’t go running around, smashing holes in walls (like Jared). But he’s got a good drive to get things done. Simon is more an internal guy.
Q. What are your favorite subjects?
A. I like the languages, French, Spanish … and Latin, but that’s not – you can’t really go anywhere and converse in Latin. I’m OK at French. I’ve done a few films in France, and we shot in Montreal for this film, so you just improve when you’re in the country.
Q. With all the traveling you do for movies, do you ever get to take family vacations?
A. We went to Cambodia. (After filming) for two months, we took time off and took a boat ride around these deserted islands, caught fish and cooked them on the beach for days. It was amazing. (One of our guides) gave us these tips, as we’re wading through the jungle wilderness. He’s like, if you and your mate are being chased by elephants, you should run in zigzags, because that’s your best chance of escape. If you keep running in zigzags, the elephant’s not sure which way to go and gets confused. But if you end up being chased by a tiger, you should trip your mate – ‘cause that’s your only chance for escape.
Q. Well, so now you know – that’s a good thing.
A. Yeah. And now you know, too.
The birthday bunch
Singer Smokey Robinson is 68. Actor Jeff Daniels is 53. Singer Seal is 45. Actress Justine Bateman is 42. Actor Benicio Del Toro is 41. Singer-actress Haylie Duff is 23.